Dagny’s passion for the environment was kindled in her hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada where she spent several field seasons identifying plant species across Southern Nevada. The BP Horizon oil spill in 2010 inspired her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in environmental science with a specialization in policy at the University of Nevada, Reno. Her educational journey was interspersed with international travel and exploration of the Western U.S., deepening her appreciation for America’s expansive public lands. Dagny furthered her education with a master’s degree in ecology and GIS certificate from Western Colorado University, where she combined remote sensing and dendroecology to reconstruct the fire history of Colorado’s Powderhorn Wilderness. Professionally, Dagny devoted several field seasons to the Western Colorado Conservation Corps, where she served as a Wildlife and Fuels Technician. She additionally worked in air quality compliance in Southern Arizona, an experience that brought her face-to-face with environmental injustices. This experience catalyzed her involvement in volunteer roles in environmental justice and affairs with the Social Justice and Engineering Initiative. Outside of her professional pursuits, Dagny is an avid enthusiast of the great outdoors. She finds joy in running, skiing, and swimming, often amidst the breathtaking landscapes of the Western U.S.’s public lands.
