Jackie grew up in New England, where she daydreamed about the megafauna that roam the landscapes of the West. After pursuing a degree in wildlife biology from the University of Vermont, career opportunities were the catalyst for her to explore the landscapes she admired.

Her career started with field technician positions for endangered species such as the Spotted Owl and Sierra Nevada Red Fox, and then went on to work with gray, red, and Mexican wolves for several years. Her path eventually led to the Swan Valley, where she quickly fell in love with the area’s beauty and wildness.

Jackie has fulfilled numerous roles with Swan Valley Connections and is thrilled to have found her niche as the Bear Conflict Prevention Coordinator, working to expand the reach of Swan Valley Bear Resources (SVBR). Throughout bear season, she distributes bear-resistant trash cans, builds electric fences to secure attractants, hosts educational events throughout the watershed to promote safe coexistence with bears, and more. Jackie also works as a Rare Carnivore Monitoring technician in the winter months, and contributes to other conservation programs as needed.