With a doctorate in ecology from the University of Montana and a postdoc in science education with the National Science Foundation, Elaine brings her combined experiences in research and education to her current position. Her interests in conservation, how science works, and how people learn all merge to help her share the excitement of learning and teaching about the natural world. As a longtime trumpeter swan program coordinator, Elaine has recently expanded her focus to include all bird life in the Blackfoot, monitoring species and advising on conservation goals for bird habitats. Elaine lives in the Ovando area with her husband and two daughters, where they love to ski, hike, ride horses, view wildlife, and enjoy all the other special opportunities the Blackfoot has to offer.