2026-2027 Natural Lands Technicians

The Natural Lands Technicians for the 2026-2027 school year are: Shea McDonald (’27), Josaphine Nguyen (’27), Sila Lilljedahl (’27), Owen Stefanich (’27), Jayme Sandbeck (’27), Stella Wheeler (’27), Brooke LaVoi (’27), Anna Edstrom (’28), Alice Wagner-Hemstad (’28), Adam Broga (’28), Leo Benson (’28), Lily Houston (’28), and Jane Dagher (’28).

Shea McDonald (she/her): Hi there! I’m Shea. I am a senior Biology major and I have been working in the Natural Lands for two years now. Some of the things I enjoy doing are hammocking, snowboarding, fishing, swimming, and working outside! This year I am excited for the opportunity to continue restoring our beloved Natural Lands via prescribed fire, woody species removal, seed dispersal, etc. Let me know if you want to go fishing!

Josaphine Nguyen (She/Her): Hi, I’m Josaphine, and I’m majoring in Biology and Environmental Studies! I’ve worked as a restoration technician for the last two years, and I’m hoping to continue in a similar field once I graduate. My favorite area in the Natural Lands is the Big Pond prairie loop, since you can see Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum) there in the spring. I also really enjoy learning more about native ecosystems, although most of my current focus centers around southern MN. Other hobbies include reading and making art!

Sila Liljedahl: Hello! My name is Sila and I’m a senior environmental studies major from St. Paul. This is my third year as a tech in the natural lands! I’ve spent my last few summers working at a family camp near Ely MN, doing lots of art, working outside and learning about the northwoods with kids and families. Yay! I also really like singing, the color purple, and chickens. See you in the natty lands!!

Jayme Sandbeck (she/her): Hi! My name is Jayme and I am a senior Environmental Studies major with a concentration in Gender & Sexuality Studies! I am really excited to continue as a natural lands technician after working as a summer tech and am looking forward to seed collections and starting the new forest restoration project. I love working outdoors, hiking, and walking through the prairie with a nice breeze!

Stella Wheeler (they/them): Hey! I’m Stella, a senior biology major and environmental studies concentrator from Duluth! I can usually be found frolicking amidst the green bell pepper plants at StoGrow, biking along Heath Creek, or lurking around the print studio in CAD. I do research at St. Olaf on Balanophyllia elegans, the orange cup coral and love learning about and working in marine landscapes! This will be my first year as a technician and I’m excited to spend more time out in the Natural Lands and find weird fungi and lichens. I love sturgeon and earthstars!

Brooke LaVoi (she/her): Hi! I am a senior Environmental Studies (natural sciences) major with a concentration in Statistics & Data Science, and this will be my first year working as a Natural Lands Technician. I am currently obsessed with Cecropia Moths after seeing a caterpillar this summer. I am especially excited to keep learning about the plants and bugs in the Natural Lands!

Anna Edstrom (she/her): I am a Junior Environmental Studies (social science) and Sociology/Antrhopology double major. I am from Minneapolis, Minnesota. I love being outside, spending time with my friends, and painting! My favorite native plant is Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.).

Alice Wagner-Hemstad (She/Her): Hello! My name is Alice and I am a junior majoring in Biology and Environmental studies. I’m from St. Paul, MN. I enjoy spending time outside, gardening, and exploring new outdoor spaces. I’m also on the Track and Field team at St. Olaf! I care about the environment and am excited to continue contributing to the preservation of the natural lands and ecosystems at St. Olaf!

Adam Broga (he/him): Hi! I’m Adam and I’m from Poulsbo, Washington. I’m a junior Biology and Environmental Studies major who loves getting outside! This is my second year as a natural lands technician. Last summer I worked as a crew leader for the student conservation corps in my home town, and did lots of mountain biking. This year I hope to do more birding and maybe try some cross country skiing (I’ve only really done downhill). I’m super excited to be working in our beautiful forests and prairies again, and hope you’ll find the time to explore them too!

Leo Benson (he/him): Hello! My name is Leo Benson, and I am a Junior biology and education major. This is my second year as a land technician, and I am so excited to work in such a beautiful natural environment! I love hiking, camping, swimming in lakes, skipping rocks, and more. I’m also a big Minnesota sports fan despite the constant uphill battle. I am very excited to learn more about the natural lands and spend more time in my favorite place on campus!

Lily Houston (she/her): Hello! I’m Lily, a junior environmental studies major from Chattanooga, Tennessee. I was a Natural Lands Technician this summer, and I’m excited to keep working during the school year (especially to get some experience with prairie burns)! Working in the Natural Lands has let me indulge my passion for birding, and I’m looking forward to spotting fall migrants while I work in the coming months. If you see me, make sure to ask about the St. Olaf Bird Alliance (a.k.a. the coolest club on campus) and why you should join!

Jane Dagher (she/her): Hi! I’m a junior biology major on the pre-vet track. I’m currently in Ireland for my study abroad, and I’m so excited to work as a Natural Lands Technician for the first time in the spring. I love animals, and taking care of them means taking care of nature. I also love spending summers exploring Lebanon (where I’m from!) with my friends, DJing, and music in all its forms. You can find me literally anywhere, from doing tech stuff in CAD to filling piano humidifiers in CHM. Just YOLOing my way through life.