Hi! My name is Avery Haubrick and I am a senior at the University of Pittsburgh. I am majoring in Environmental Science with a certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). I am a member of Pitt’s Ski and Snowboard club as well as the Vice President of Fly-Fishing club. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, fly-fishing, rock climbing, and pretty much any activity that gets me outside.

In a week, I will be flying out west to take part in Pitt’s Wyoming Spring Creek Field Study. During the six week trip we will use field techniques to explore the area’s geological, biological, paleontological, and historical processes. Utilizing Pitt’s Spring Creek preserve outside Laramie, we will explore stream and terrestrial ecology, survey wildlife, and reconstruct ancient environments by analyzing the preserve’s fossil beds. I am very excited to put my classroom knowledge into practice and gain a deeper understanding of many environmental and geological topics.

While I am taking this course to satisfy the capstone for my major, I have had my eye on this since I was a naive freshman sitting in geology lab. I am so excited to get to experience a whole new environment from what I’m used to with new wildlife, geology, and culture. As for my future goals, I’m hoping this trip sheds more light on my thoughts for graduate school and a career. It is exciting that I get to do this course with a group of my peers. I know I will make awesome friendships and great memories with this diverse group of people. Overall, this course will get me out of my comfort zone, expose me to new culture and environment, and teach me a new set of skills that I will be able to use later in life.