Growing up in rural Northern California, I was surrounded by nature and spent much of my time exploring the forests and fields near my home, often bringing home whatever animals I could find (much to my mother's dismay).

 

That early curiosity grew into a career focused on understanding and protecting natural resources. In 2015, I earned a degree in Recreation Administration, with an option in Parks and Natural Resources Management, and a minor in Biology from Chico State University. I went on to work in state and national parks, sharing my appreciation for the natural world through environmental interpretation. Although I enjoyed that work, I wanted to get more involved in hands-on biological work, which led me to pursue post-baccalaureate coursework in fisheries biology at Cal Poly Humboldt in 2020.

 

During that time, I began working as a fisheries technician tagging salmonids in the Central Valley. That role opened the door to additional biological fieldwork, and in 2022, I began working as a consulting biologist. After gaining experience in biological surveys, environmental documentation, construction monitoring, and habitat restoration, I established Smither Environmental LLC in June 2026 to provide environmental consulting services independently.

 

My field experience includes surveys for special-status species such as giant garter snakes, burrowing owls, tricolored blackbirds, San Joaquin kit foxes, northwestern pond turtles, Swainson's hawks, and western spadefoots. I also hold a wetland delineation certificate and have been approved to serve as a giant garter snake monitor on multiple projects, including projects involving the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

 

In addition to fieldwork, I have prepared a range of environmental documents, including Biological Resource Assessments, Natural Environment Studies, Initial Studies, Preliminary Environmental Studies, habitat restoration monitoring plans, and nesting bird survey reports. My work has also included preparing project maps using GIS.

 

Through Smither Environmental, I bring together my field experience, technical skills, and interest in the natural world to provide practical, informed environmental consulting.