Sam grew up exploring the forests of New England. There he began his first field studies; leaving no log unturned in the search for salamanders, spending hours in the rivers catching crayfish and diving into ponds for frogs.

His natural curiosity is what drew him to Round River. He spent his semester in Belize working with Ya’axche Conservation Trust. This experience gave him his first insights into the intricacies of conservation. In particular, how difficult it is to balance protecting natural areas with sustaining human communities. He is eternally grateful for the opportunity to learn from conservationists and local communities in Belize. Seeing their collaboration, conflict and mutual love for the land they live on is what made him want to pursue further field work.

After graduating from the University of Vermont, Sam decided to return to his freshwater roots. This led him to work for the Mountain Lakes Research Group. Over the summer he surveyed lakes in the Sierra Nevadas to help with understanding Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog populations and the chytrid fungus that is threatening them.

Currently he is traveling California and the Pacific Northwest, rock climbing, visiting friends and enjoying the rainforests.