After receiving their undergraduate degree in Biodiversity and Conservation, Ty worked for the U.S. Forest Service scaling the mountains of their native state, Utah. Although they miss the Rockies, they have fallen in love with the Smokies and Outer Banks, so when they graduated from Duke University with their Master’s of Environmental Management and a certificate in Community Based Environmental Management, they decided to stay. Ty serves on the board for Ocean Everblue, a nonprofit dedicated to improving and amplifying marine science communication. Outside of their work and advocacy, Ty enjoys sports–especially gymnastics–as well as most outdoor activities.