Fern Crossway
Conservation Biologist
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Conservation Biology, Habitat Loss & Fragmentation, Endangered Species, Impacts of Anthropogenic Disturbance, Landscape Ecology, Ecological Systems Modeling, Animal Behavior, Population Dynamics, Symbiotic Relationships, Ecopsychology, Ecofeminism, Nature Writing, Nature & Health, Nature-based Education, Environmental Education
RESEARCH
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Quantifying the effects of biodiversity on mental health and wellbeing outcomes
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Highlighting the importance of community science data in understanding the distribution of biodiversity benefits and burdens across an urban landscape
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Developing a framework for whole-landscape planning that accounts for human and biodiversity needs
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Evaluating population outcomes and habitat connectivity for a Taylor’s Checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha taylori) metapopulation in the South Puget Sound
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Mark-recapture study and life history findings for a New England population of the imperiled Frosted Elfin butterfly, Callophrys irus
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Mark-recapture study of the critically imperiled Northern Metalmark butterfly (Calephelis borealis)
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Modeling peat swamp forest land conversion in Southeast Asia and its impact on Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) populations
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Evaluating economic consequences and potential management practices for the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) invasion in New York State
EDUCATION
2025 - Present
University of Washington
School of Environmental & Forest Sciences
PhD Student
Seattle, Washington
2022 - 2025
University of Washington
School of Environmental & Forest Sciences
Master of Science, 2025
Seattle, Washington
2017 - 2019
SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry
Conservation Biology
Bachelor of Science, 2019
Syracuse, NY
2016 - 2017
Paul Smiths College
Biology
Paul Smiths, NY
WORK EXPERIENCE
2022 - Present
Research Assistant, Teaching Assistant
Landscape Ecology & Conservation Lab
Seattle, Washington
2022, 2024
Monitoring Technician
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Kent, Connecticut
2022
Lepidopteran Monitoring Technician
University of Connecticut
Mansfield, Connecticut
2020 - 2022
Farm Biologist
Colorado Aromatics, Sagescript Institute
Longmont, Colorado
2019
Undergraduate Research
SUNY ESF
Syracuse, NY
2016 - 2017
Lead Naturalist
Paul Smiths College VIC
Paul Smiths, NY
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
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NW CASC Fellow, University of Washington, 2024 and 2025
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National Science Foundation (NSF) GRFP Honorable Mention, 2024
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Bridging the Gap Fellow, University of Washington 2022 and 2023
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magna cum laude, SUNY ESF, 2019
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President's List, SUNY ESF, Spring 2019
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Dean's List, Paul Smiths College, Fall 2016, Spring and Fall 2017, SUNY ESF, Fall 2017, Spring and Fall 2018
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Adirondack Scholar, Paul Smiths College, Fall 2016, Spring and Fall 2017
CERTIFICATIONS
Wilderness First Aid
American Safety & Health Institute, 2022
First Aid/CPR/AED
CPR Northwest Washington, 2022
Flying Wild, Project WILD
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, 2018
Certified Interpretive Guide
National Association for Interpretation, 2017
VOLUNTEER & PERSONAL PROJECTS
Dead Elk Society
President
UW School of Environmental & Forest Sciences
2024 - Present
Graduate Council
Officer
UW School of Environmental & Forest Sciences
2024 - Present
This Wild Wonderland
Environmental Education Programming
2019 - Present
SEFS 2022 Cohort Social Planning Group
Networking & Social Planner
2022 - Present
SEFS Student Wage Organizing Committee
Equitable Pay & Diversity Advocate
UW School of Environmental & Forest Sciences
2022 - 2024
New York State Parks, FORCES
Environmental Interpretation Steward
2018 - 2019
The Humane League
Content Creation & Letter Writing
2016 - 2017
Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
Songbird & Small Mammal Care
2014 - 2015