Field Workshop CoordinatorLaurie Solchenberger

Whether exploring favorite local haunts or on the road living out of a backpack, Laurie is happiest being outdoors, meeting new people, and sharing adventures. She is passionate about the environment and social justice, and has a firm belief in community activism. Laurie puts her passions and beliefs into action through her work and volunteerism.

Laurie’s science background began with a love for running through her grandparent’s woods, bird-watching, and animal behavior. She earned degrees from the UW-Madison in wildlife ecology, rural sociology, and conservation biology, and first put them to use on one of her most personally rewarding work experiences: Wisconsin’s Trumpeter Swan Reintroduction Program. It is exciting to see any of the 500+ free-flying swans, knowing she was one person who contributed to that success! Laurie moved to Alaska to work for a US Forestry Science Lab, where field work required extensive travel in Alaska, Yukon Territory, and also to Chiloe Island in Chile. After changing careers (education calling!), Laurie loved most her learning experiences with Cook Inlet Tribal Council. Her favorite was a summer youth camp that promoted employment and cultural experiences for Alaska Native teens. Laurie is currently a special education teacher in Wisconsin, specializing in behavior, and recently completed her Master’s degree in education.

Laurie believes understanding global environmental and social connections is crucial when responding to things such as perception of poverty, slash-and-burn agriculture, consumption of natural resources, land ownership issues, and development. Laurie has taken time off to explore Patagonia, Nepal, and Thailand. She dreams of traveling to the Middle East (too many countries to pick just one!), riding a train through the Argentinean Pampas, or spending some time in India.

In her free time, Laurie loves to bike, hike, run, camp, canoe/kayak, and read. She volunteers locally with a domestic abuse shelter, a community program helping parents, and a local education group for justice in the Middle East. She is very excited about returning to the Arctic, biting bugs and all, with Global Explorers!