{"id":3312,"date":"2023-09-08T14:28:48","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T19:28:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/?page_id=3312"},"modified":"2025-11-14T16:12:56","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T22:12:56","slug":"2023-2024-natural-lands-technicians","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/2023-2024-natural-lands-technicians\/","title":{"rendered":"2025-2026 Natural Lands Technicians"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-modular-content-collection>\n<p>Each year the Director and Manager of the Natural Lands choose several students to be the Natural Lands Technicians. Natural Lands Technicians are responsible for the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Seed collecting from native plants<br \/>-Removing invasive plant species<br \/>-Maintaining trails<br \/>-Participating in Prescribed Burns<br \/>-Learning about land management<br \/>&#8230;and more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are interested in working as a Natural Lands Technician, check the St. Olaf student employment job board for open positions. We typically hire for the upcoming school year late in the spring and openings are usually posted at the beginning of Spring semester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Visit our Facebook at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/stolafnaturallands\/\">https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/stolafnaturallands\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Visit our Instagram at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/stolafnaturallands\/\">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/stolafnaturallands\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information on the Natural Lands Technician position at St. Olaf College, contact Director of Natural Lands Charles Umbanhowar (<a href=\"mailto:ceumb@stolaf.edu\">ceumb@stolaf.edu<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary><strong>Meet our 2025-2026 Natural Lands Technicians Here!<\/strong>&#x2600;&#xfe0f;<\/summary>\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Natural Lands Technicians for the 2025-2026 school year are: Ry Klassen (&#8217;26), Jack Maurer (&#8217;26), Taariq Ismail (&#8217;26), Jenna Graff (&#8217;26), Shea McDonald (&#8217;27), Josaphine Nguyen, Alice Wagner-Hemstad (&#8217;28), Josh Stanton (&#8217;26), Cyd Lloyd (&#8217;26), Cy Hennings, Ella Landis (&#8217;26), Adam Broga (&#8217;28), Leo Benson (&#8217;28), Sila Lilljedahl (&#8217;27), Owen Stefanich, Yanchen Tamang, and Emma Coen-Pesch (&#8217;26).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-attachment-id=\"5473\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/2023-2024-natural-lands-technicians\/img_2251\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/10\/IMG_2251.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1920,2560\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_2251\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/10\/IMG_2251-768x1024.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/10\/IMG_2251-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5473\" style=\"width:225px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Leo Benson (he\/him):<\/strong> Hello! My name is Leo Benson, and I am a sophomore&nbsp;biology and education major. This is my first 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&#8217;m also a big Minnesota sports fan despite the constant uphill battle. I am very&nbsp;excited to learn more about the natural lands and spend more time in my favorite place on campus!<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"567\" height=\"761\" data-attachment-id=\"5062\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/2023-2024-natural-lands-technicians\/screenshot-2025-07-24-134042\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-24-134042.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"567,761\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screenshot 2025-07-24 134042\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-24-134042.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-24-134042.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5062\" style=\"width:216px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Ry Klassen (they\/he)<\/strong>: What\u2019s up gamers? My name is Ry and I am a senior Biology and Sociology\/Anthropology major from Rochester, MN. After spending my freshman summer working in the Natural Lands for CURI, I\u2019ve been pursuing outdoor work\/lands management and feel lucky to get to do so at Olaf! As a Tech, I\u2019ve enjoyed falling into Heath Creek, harvesting meadow anemone, and practicing birding skills. My favorite plant in the Natural Lands is White Wild Indigo (<em>Baptisia alba<\/em>) and my favorite activity is stargazing! One fun fact about me is I have a Wood Duck (<em>Aix sponsa<\/em>) that I taxidermied in my dorm room.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-attachment-id=\"4999\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/2023-2024-natural-lands-technicians\/img_1361\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/07\/IMG_1361.jpeg\" data-orig-size=\"1920,2560\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_1361\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/07\/IMG_1361-768x1024.jpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/07\/IMG_1361-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4999\" style=\"width:214px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Shea McDonald (she\/her): <\/strong>Hi! My name is Shea and I\u2019m from Rush City, Minnesota. I\u2019m a Junior Biology and Environmental Studies major with a passion for the outdoors. This is my first year working as a natural lands technician and I have learned so much already! I love being active outdoors during all seasons by doing manual labor, snowboarding, or going for a casual hike with my dog. Last summer I worked as an aquatic invasive species inspector around the Chisago county area. I learned so much from that experience and I hope to continue to find my passion this year. I hope to see you out in the natty lands!&#x1f918;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"471\" height=\"627\" data-attachment-id=\"5382\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/2023-2024-natural-lands-technicians\/screenshot-2025-09-09-091758\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-09-091758.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"471,627\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screenshot 2025-09-09 091758\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-09-091758.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-09-091758.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5382\" style=\"width:179px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Jack Maurer (he\/him):<\/strong> Hey there, I&#8217;m Jack Maurer, a senior from Madison, WI double-majoring in&nbsp;Biology&nbsp;and Environmental Studies (Natural Science). This will be my third year working in the Natural Lands as a tech,&nbsp;and I&#8217;m excited to further contribute to&nbsp;its conservation this&nbsp;school year! I just finished up a restoration&nbsp;ecology internship with the WI DNR, Ice Age NST, and other&nbsp;conservation groups in South Central WI, and am excited to continue to expand my knowledge of land management&nbsp;in the NL. I hope you&#8217;ll take some time to explore it this&nbsp;year!<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"497\" height=\"610\" data-attachment-id=\"5458\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/2023-2024-natural-lands-technicians\/screenshot-2025-10-02-093836\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-2025-10-02-093836.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"497,610\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screenshot 2025-10-02 093836\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-2025-10-02-093836.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-2025-10-02-093836.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5458\" style=\"width:227px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Ella Landis (she\/her): <\/strong>Hello! I&#8217;m Ella Landis, I am a senior biology major and an environmental studies and nordic studies concentrator. I am from Middlebury, Vermont and love being outdoors. In my spare time, I like to bike, bake, hike, and craft! I am also on the Cross Country and Track team and love running on the Natural Lands Trails. I am so happy that I get to help maintain our Natural Lands and give back to these trails.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"472\" height=\"628\" data-attachment-id=\"5302\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/2023-2024-natural-lands-technicians\/screenshot-2025-09-02-081401-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-02-081401-1.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"472,628\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screenshot 2025-09-02 081401\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-02-081401-1.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-02-081401-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5302\" style=\"width:260px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><br \/><strong>Adam Broga (he\/him): <\/strong>My name is Adam and I&#8217;m going into my sophomore year, majoring in Environmental&nbsp;Studies (Nat Sci emphasis). I love mountain&nbsp;biking, hiking, downhill skiing, and all things outdoors! Some of my other hobbies include photography and reading. I&#8217;ve worked similar outdoor jobs before, but this&nbsp;is my first time working in the Natural Lands.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"471\" height=\"625\" data-attachment-id=\"5515\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/2023-2024-natural-lands-technicians\/image-14\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/10\/image.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"471,625\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/10\/image.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/10\/image.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5515\" style=\"width:237px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Jenna Graff (she\/they):<\/strong> Hi! I\u2019m Jenna! I\u2019m a senior environmental studies major concentrating in statistics and data science. I love searching for bugs and wildflowers in the prairie. I also think that coniferous bogs are very cool &#8211; my favorite tree is a tamarack, and sphagnum mosses are awesome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"626\" height=\"666\" data-attachment-id=\"5304\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/2023-2024-natural-lands-technicians\/screenshot-2025-09-02-082346\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-02-082346.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"626,666\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screenshot 2025-09-02 082346\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-02-082346.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/09\/Screenshot-2025-09-02-082346.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5304\" style=\"width:391px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Alice Wagner-Hemstad (She\/Her): <\/strong>Hello! My name is Alice and I am a sophomore majoring in Biology and Environmental studies. I\u2019m from St. Paul, MN. I enjoy spending time outside, gardening, and exploring new outdoor spaces. I\u2019m 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1810\" height=\"2560\" data-attachment-id=\"4465\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/image_50769409\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2024\/09\/image_50769409.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1810,2560\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image_50769409\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2024\/09\/image_50769409-724x1024.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2024\/09\/image_50769409.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4465\" style=\"width:252px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Josaphine Nguyen (She\/Her): <\/strong>I\u2019m majoring in&nbsp;Bio&nbsp;and Environmental Studies! A couple fun facts about me are that I\u2019m a triplet, my favorite movie is Clue, and my favorite animal is a Prairie-Chicken!<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-attachment-id=\"5444\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/2023-2024-natural-lands-technicians\/20250927_191531\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/09\/20250927_191531.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1920,2560\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"20250927_191531\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/09\/20250927_191531-768x1024.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/09\/20250927_191531-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5444\" style=\"width:248px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Taariq Ismail: <\/strong>I am a senior majoring in economics and history (I know&nbsp;right, what am I doing in the Natural Lands?!). Despite that, I enjoy learning about the environment and I love working outdoors. The St. Olaf Natural Lands is one of my favourite&nbsp;spots on campus, and I&#8217;m excited to spend&nbsp;more time there this&nbsp;year. Some of my favourite tasks as a Natural Lands technician include collecting&nbsp;seeds in the&nbsp;prairie, using a brush saw to remove buckthorn, and participating in prescribed&nbsp;burns! Overall this will be my third year working as a Natural Lands technician.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"349\" height=\"465\" data-attachment-id=\"5289\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/screenshot-2025-08-21-074437-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-08-21-074437-edited.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"349,465\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screenshot 2025-08-21 074437\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-08-21-074437-edited.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-08-21-074437-edited.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5289\" style=\"width:242px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Cyd Lloyd:<\/strong> Hi! I&#8217;m&nbsp;Cyd. I&#8217;m a senior Studio Art Major, and this is my second year working in the natural lands. I grew up in southern Idaho, and some of my favorite activities include rock climbing, painting, thrifting, and sewing.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"575\" height=\"765\" data-attachment-id=\"5000\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/2023-2024-natural-lands-technicians\/screenshot-2025-07-23-140516\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-23-140516.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"575,765\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screenshot 2025-07-23 140516\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-23-140516.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-23-140516.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5000\" style=\"width:314px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Anna Edstrom (she\/her): <\/strong>I am a sophomore Environmental Studies (social science) major with an Education concentration. I am from Minneapolis, Minnesota. I love bejng outside, spending time with my friends, and painting! My favorite native plant is Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.).<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" data-attachment-id=\"4467\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/2023-2024-natural-lands-technicians\/image\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2024\/09\/image.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1707,2560\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2024\/09\/image-683x1024.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2024\/09\/image-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4467\" style=\"width:248px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Emma Coen-Pesch (she\/her):<\/strong> Hello! My name is Emma Coen-Pesch and I\u2019m a Music and Environmental Studies (Natural Science) major. I love being outside, I love spending time with wonderful people and I also love manual labor, these three passions intertwine for me as a Natural Lands Technician which is why I&#8217;m back for my third year in this position. Last summer I worked as a trail guide for youth in the BWCA and Quetico and I loved it! I have a passion for wilderness travel and youth development. I&#8217;m excited to continue maintaining the wonderful natural space we have on campus for myself and other students, staff and community members to enjoy and learn from!<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1104\" height=\"828\" data-attachment-id=\"4464\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/img_6422_3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2024\/09\/IMG_6422_3.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1104,828\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_6422_(3)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2024\/09\/IMG_6422_3-1024x768.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/files\/2024\/09\/IMG_6422_3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4464\" style=\"width:255px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Sila Liljedahl: <\/strong>Hello! My name is Sila and I am a junior from St. Paul. I&#8217;m majoring in environmental studies with concentrations in nordic studies and education! I spent lots of time growing up walking in the woods along the Mississippi River and paddling around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, which has filled me with lots of love for Minnesota and the beautiful nature that we have here. When I&#8217;m not in the Natural Lands I like to sing, make art, and dilly dally. My second home is in Ely, MN, where I&#8217;ve worked the&nbsp;past few summers at a family camp teaching art, working outside and learning about the northwoods with kids and families. I will be spending this fall at the Oregon&nbsp;Extension, and I&#8217;ll be back in the spring for my second year as a tech! Yay!<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Each year the Director and Manager of the Natural Lands choose several students to be the Natural Lands Technicians. Natural Lands Technicians are responsible for the following: -Seed collecting from [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4679,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3312","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3312","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4679"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3312"}],"version-history":[{"count":52,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3312\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5517,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3312\/revisions\/5517"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/naturallands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3312"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}