Award-winning journalist, formerly at the Calgary Herald. For the past four years, I wrote stories about the environment in southern Alberta -- everything from grizzly bears and fish to water issues and wildfires.

I worked at the Herald for almost 18 years. During that time, I covered a variety of topics — education, municipal politics and social issues — as a beat reporter. I won a National Newspaper Award for political reporting with a colleague in 2005 for a special investigation we did into a civic election scandal. I also worked as the assistant city editor for two years, before returning to my first love: writing. Since then, I was also part of a breaking news team that won a 2013 National Newspaper Award for our coverage of the historic Alberta floods.

I've appeared on radio and TV to talk about my stories. When I can fit it in, I do some freelance writing on the side, mostly about history, travel and the outdoors (or, if all goes well, a combination of all three). I've also given some public talks on everything from science communications to my work as a journalist.

Outside of work, I spend a lot of time in the outdoors: hiking, biking and skiing. In the winter, I also curl (yes, I was born and raised in Saskatchewan...and yes, I still cheer for the Roughriders).

Despite being a Prairie girl at heart, I love the mountains — where I live and often work.