Finding Your Passion

Cedar Crest Retirement Community
 Janesville, WI 2015

As a young girl in middle school, I remember the terror that was speech class.  I wasn't overly shy by any means, but the prospect of standing in front of the class and talking always put me in a panic. Never in a million years could I have pictured myself decades later as a wild bird speaker/presenter.

I guess I have to give some credit to my 10-year stint in a tv newsroom for easing my fears of public speaking.  I was often tapped as an "extra" for news promos, and being around extroverted personalities certainly helped me gain confidence.  I eventually realized that something was missing and left the newsroom to pursue my love of art and nature.  I picked up a paint brush after many years and became an accomplished watercolor artist, specializing in bird and botanical paintings.  I even had some of my bird illustrations published alongside those of John James Audubon in the book "Wings of Mercy".  That was a personal highlight for me!

Unfortunately, we all know the plight of the "starving artist". Eventually financial constraints forced me to seek additional employment, which I happily found working in the lawn and garden industry.  I worked for another decade as a sales representative, specializing in wild bird feeders and garden products.

"Birdscaping" Presentation at Waterford, WI Library 2014

Having enjoyed feeding the birds all the way back to my newsroom days, I eventually became quite knowlegeable in backyard birding...even offering to do presentations for some of my garden center customers.  The first couple of times I stood before a group of people, I had butterflies in my stomach.  Before long, my passion for birds overwhelmed my fears, and I was ready to fly!

I began to realize that I had knowledge that could help others become more successful in attracting birds, but more importantly, I had found my passion.  Each time I finished a presentation, I felt a rush of energy and accomplishment that I got no where else, and a self-proclaimed "bird nerd" was born.  I have done presentations at local home and garden shows, garden centers, garden clubs and recently led a garden walk at the The Boerner Botanical Gardens in Hales Corners, WI.

Garden Walk - Boerner Botanical Gardens
Hales Corners, WI  2015

I am available to do presentations on backyard birding and "Birdscaping".
I have experience with all of the following:

- Garden Centers
- Garden Clubs
- Youth Groups
- Senior Living Centers
- Women's Clubs
- Botanical Gardens
- Public Library Education
- Consumer Lawn & Garden Shows

I also have programs available on  attracting orioles and hummingbirds  and I can customize a Power Point  presentation for your particular club,  business organization.  Click the link below for more information:

 Public Speaking Info.