Hey y’all I’m Alex and coincidentally my last name is Troutman and I’m a wildlife Biologist ! As a part of #BlackBirdersWeek with #BlackAFinSTEM today I’ll be showcasing #blackinNature form my perspective. To start off here are two species I’ve worked with so far

From an early age I’ve been #BlackinNature it started out fishing with my pops and brothers and being intrigued by the critters trying to avoid the lawnmower. Later developing into a love and longing to be outside.

I’ll admit as a young #BlackinNature I had some natural luxuries that others didn’t.
Like a creek and decent yard with Trees! I would spend hours in the creek with my Friend D looking for “water lizards” (salamanders) and seeing who could catch the most fish.

This creek and Trees pictured gave me #BlackInNature experiences that 25 years later I still cherish. I heard and saw my first Owls in these trees. My first experience with a water snake was just around the bend in that creek.

These #BalckinNature experiences lead me to pursue a degree in biology, that eventually led to some great professional exposures. I have learned to band waterfowl, operate tractors, chain saws.

Some of the career opportunities that have developed from my #blackinNature path. Include a Park ranger, An environmental educator, some stents as a Biological Technician, a Bat Biologist, and most recently a Endangered species observer and Graduate student. #BlackBirdersWeek

Let me say this,
While my #BlackInNature Involves a degree and career. You do not have to have a degree to be in nature. If you love nature or even just curious go out and enjoy it. Don’t worry about if you don’t know anything. You have to start somewhere

When not working I am #BlackInNature throughleisure activities I enjoy like camping, photography , fishing, and birding.