Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Lucas grew up loving the outdoors and developed core values in protecting and experiencing the environment. While coming from an urban area, Lucas believes nature can be enjoyed in the smallest and busiest of places, though he too adores being without cell service in wide expanses of wilderness– ideally for much of his free time. Backpacking, climbing, and hiking are some of his favorite activities in addition to saying WOW around every bend on a trail, admiring everything from little lichens to large mountains. 

 In the field, Lucas has previously worked as a restoration technician in Minnesota, completing projects to restore native prairie, wetland, and woodland habitats. He has most recently been a Research Technician on an Adaptive Mountain Goat Management project with the Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit.

 Lucas graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Sustainability with a concentration in Ecosystem Science and Restoration and minors in Wildlife Biology and Biology, and a certificate in Global Leadership from the University of Montana. He participated in the Round River Patagonia program in the spring semester of 2025, where he solidified his passion for pursuing a career in conservation.