Hello! My name is Lauren Posey, and I am a rising junior at the University of Pittsburgh. I’m majoring in Environmental Studies, with a certificate in Sustainability and a minor in Studio Arts. I will also be completing a Joint Honors Degree with the Honors College. Outside of the classroom, I’m actively involved in the environmental community at Pitt. I am a rising co-president of Free the Planet, a member of Fossil Free Pitt Coalition, and a new member in Epsilon Eta, the environmental honors fraternity. I enjoy reading, painting, drinking matcha and exploring the city in my free time 🙂

In the coming days, I’ll be embarking on a 6-week adventure in Laramie, Wyoming to do geology and ecology field work. This is through the Honors College’s Wyoming Spring Creek Field Study program. The Spring Creek Preserve is owned by the University and contains many dinosaur fossils – such as the famous Dippy! – and anthropological sites. We’ll split our time between the Preserve and nearby mountains before embarking on a 10-day trip around the state, during which we’ll visit Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Park. After learning about Wyoming and acquiring fieldwork skills, our trip will culminate in an independent research project.

I’m very excited for this experience but also a bit nervous! I enjoy hiking and I’ve gone camping many times, but it’s always been for a much shorter amount of time – and with the luxuries of a bathhouse with showers and an air mattress. However, I think it will be worth it to see all the spectacular views and wildlife. As an Environmental Studies major, I need to complete a field course of at least 3 credits, so this program fulfills that requirement. I hope to gain skills in research, observation-making, and data collection, as well as a base of scientific knowledge to use in my future career in environmental policy and sustainable design.

I can’t wait to meet everyone else on the trip and share our fun experiences!

Signing off,

Lauren