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Alumni Profile – Jessica Colby ‘13
What have you done since graduating from LI?
I attended the University of Vermont where I earned a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and a minor in Forestry through the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources (RSENR). While at UVM, I began working for Trout Unlimited implementing strategic woody additions, collecting stream temperature data, and assessing culverts for aquatic organism passage. I also spent a summer interning with VT Forests, Parks, and Recreation assessing trail usage within the Willoughby State Forest. After graduating from UVM, I began monitoring elm planting sites for signs of Dutch Elm Disease for The Nature Conservancy of Vermont. I also spent some time collecting red spruce cones for a tree genetics study conducted by Dr. Stephen Keller at UVM. I began working part-time for the Essex County Natural Resources Conservation District in 2018, helping to organize public outreach on invasive plant species in the Upper Connecticut River watershed and to manage their native tree nursery. During the summers of 2018 and 2019, I conducted stream assessments and electrofishing for the NH Fish and Game Department.
What is your current position?
I am the Riparian Lands Program Coordinator for NorthWoods Stewardship Center. I lead a seasonal crew in native tree and shrub seed collection – focusing almost entirely on native tree and shrub seed collection for large-scale riparian restoration efforts with Vermont Fish & Wildlife. I work closely with Vermont’s Statewide Seed Coordinator -- based out of the Intervale Center -- to collect, process, and store these seeds for direct seeding experiments and for propagation by native conservation nurseries throughout the region. It is an extremely rewarding position and I’m continually thankful for the opportunity to do what I do.
What was your favorite lunch in the cafeteria?
I usually got a sandwich for lunch – and I would ALWAYS get the chocolate chip cookies!
Which class helped you the most with your future endeavors?
AP Environmental Science, I still can’t think of Latin names of plants without thinking about how “Dubs” (Mr. Williams) would have little sayings to help us remember them.
Which classes were the most difficult and why?
I’m torn between Chemistry and AP English Literature. Chemistry was hard for me to visualize, so thinking about atoms and their reactions was really difficult (I struggled with it at UVM, though Organic Chem was a little bit easier for me!). AP English Lit. was hard for me mostly because it was set up as a seminar course and it was roundtable discussion based. I am introverted and I generally think better when I can write out my thoughts and not have to think on my toes to stay within a fast-paced discussion. That class was incredibly helpful for my time at UVM though!
Did You know what you wanted to study or focus on academically?
Yes… I knew I wanted to study wildlife biology since I was a little kid watching Steve Irwin, Jeff Corwin, and the Kratt Brothers on Animal Planet and PBS Kids. I knew that I wanted to do what they did, helping to save wildlife and educate others.
Where was your favorite place to hang out after school?
It was rare that I was still on campus after school, but I always liked sitting out in the chairs in front of the belltower (especially on sunny spring days). It was nice to look out over campus when it was quiet and enjoy being in Vermont.
What is your favorite quote?
“Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond.” – Robin Wall Kimmerer
Who were your best friends?
Krysta Gingue, Chantilly Larose, and Kyle Piette
Who was your favorite teacher at LI?
Math was never my strong suit, and I am so appreciative of how Mr. Ulrich was willing to sit with me before first period to work through problems and help me understand how to get to the right answer for both Algebra and AP Calculus. I also want to thank him for being a wonderful teacher for Upward Bound in the summer!
What would you name the autobiography of your life?
Rooted in Vermont: A Story of Seeds and Waters...... (or something like that)
What is something at LI that you absolutely loved being a part of?
My junior and senior years, I was on the Women’s Varsity Ultimate team, and I loved every minute of it. All of my teammates were wonderful, and I loved the camaraderie among all of the LI teams. The end of game songs tailored to our opposing teams and the absolute silliness that would result from those are still some of my fondest memories from LI.
If you had it to do all over again, what would you do differently?
I would take more classes that would have pushed me out of my comfort zone a bit more or that built on interests I already had, instead of just the college prep courses. I loved taking art classes and I wish I had taken more of those while at LI, I would have loved to spend more time in the art building. I also wish I had taken some of the technical classes offered just to try something new and gain different skills.
What advice do you have for students as they look for future careers or programs to apply to?
Don’t be afraid to reach out to folks in careers you think might be interested in hearing their stories and learning about how they got there. I can assure you, if you’re interested in conservation work, you’ll be surprised at the paths you may take. My entire career, so far, has been built upon relationships I cultivated with people I wanted to learn from and work with. When I was at LI, I thought for sure that I would move out west and study wolves – and while that still would be awesome, I am very happy to be in Vermont studying plant phenology and collecting seeds for wildlife habitat restoration purposes. What I do now definitely would not have even crossed my mind as a possibility 12 years ago! Find something you’re passionate about and work on building your network. Learn from others but also teach what you know to others. Finally, remember we have all been where you are now and at the end of the day, we want you to succeed!
Back
I attended the University of Vermont where I earned a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and a minor in Forestry through the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources (RSENR). While at UVM, I began working for Trout Unlimited implementing strategic woody additions, collecting stream temperature data, and assessing culverts for aquatic organism passage. I also spent a summer interning with VT Forests, Parks, and Recreation assessing trail usage within the Willoughby State Forest. After graduating from UVM, I began monitoring elm planting sites for signs of Dutch Elm Disease for The Nature Conservancy of Vermont. I also spent some time collecting red spruce cones for a tree genetics study conducted by Dr. Stephen Keller at UVM. I began working part-time for the Essex County Natural Resources Conservation District in 2018, helping to organize public outreach on invasive plant species in the Upper Connecticut River watershed and to manage their native tree nursery. During the summers of 2018 and 2019, I conducted stream assessments and electrofishing for the NH Fish and Game Department.
What is your current position?
I am the Riparian Lands Program Coordinator for NorthWoods Stewardship Center. I lead a seasonal crew in native tree and shrub seed collection – focusing almost entirely on native tree and shrub seed collection for large-scale riparian restoration efforts with Vermont Fish & Wildlife. I work closely with Vermont’s Statewide Seed Coordinator -- based out of the Intervale Center -- to collect, process, and store these seeds for direct seeding experiments and for propagation by native conservation nurseries throughout the region. It is an extremely rewarding position and I’m continually thankful for the opportunity to do what I do.
What was your favorite lunch in the cafeteria?
I usually got a sandwich for lunch – and I would ALWAYS get the chocolate chip cookies!
Which class helped you the most with your future endeavors?
AP Environmental Science, I still can’t think of Latin names of plants without thinking about how “Dubs” (Mr. Williams) would have little sayings to help us remember them.
Which classes were the most difficult and why?
I’m torn between Chemistry and AP English Literature. Chemistry was hard for me to visualize, so thinking about atoms and their reactions was really difficult (I struggled with it at UVM, though Organic Chem was a little bit easier for me!). AP English Lit. was hard for me mostly because it was set up as a seminar course and it was roundtable discussion based. I am introverted and I generally think better when I can write out my thoughts and not have to think on my toes to stay within a fast-paced discussion. That class was incredibly helpful for my time at UVM though!
Did You know what you wanted to study or focus on academically?
Yes… I knew I wanted to study wildlife biology since I was a little kid watching Steve Irwin, Jeff Corwin, and the Kratt Brothers on Animal Planet and PBS Kids. I knew that I wanted to do what they did, helping to save wildlife and educate others.
Where was your favorite place to hang out after school?
It was rare that I was still on campus after school, but I always liked sitting out in the chairs in front of the belltower (especially on sunny spring days). It was nice to look out over campus when it was quiet and enjoy being in Vermont.
What is your favorite quote?
“Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond.” – Robin Wall Kimmerer
Who were your best friends?
Krysta Gingue, Chantilly Larose, and Kyle Piette
Who was your favorite teacher at LI?
Math was never my strong suit, and I am so appreciative of how Mr. Ulrich was willing to sit with me before first period to work through problems and help me understand how to get to the right answer for both Algebra and AP Calculus. I also want to thank him for being a wonderful teacher for Upward Bound in the summer!
What would you name the autobiography of your life?
Rooted in Vermont: A Story of Seeds and Waters...... (or something like that)
What is something at LI that you absolutely loved being a part of?
My junior and senior years, I was on the Women’s Varsity Ultimate team, and I loved every minute of it. All of my teammates were wonderful, and I loved the camaraderie among all of the LI teams. The end of game songs tailored to our opposing teams and the absolute silliness that would result from those are still some of my fondest memories from LI.
If you had it to do all over again, what would you do differently?
I would take more classes that would have pushed me out of my comfort zone a bit more or that built on interests I already had, instead of just the college prep courses. I loved taking art classes and I wish I had taken more of those while at LI, I would have loved to spend more time in the art building. I also wish I had taken some of the technical classes offered just to try something new and gain different skills.
What advice do you have for students as they look for future careers or programs to apply to?
Don’t be afraid to reach out to folks in careers you think might be interested in hearing their stories and learning about how they got there. I can assure you, if you’re interested in conservation work, you’ll be surprised at the paths you may take. My entire career, so far, has been built upon relationships I cultivated with people I wanted to learn from and work with. When I was at LI, I thought for sure that I would move out west and study wolves – and while that still would be awesome, I am very happy to be in Vermont studying plant phenology and collecting seeds for wildlife habitat restoration purposes. What I do now definitely would not have even crossed my mind as a possibility 12 years ago! Find something you’re passionate about and work on building your network. Learn from others but also teach what you know to others. Finally, remember we have all been where you are now and at the end of the day, we want you to succeed!
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Lyndon Institute is a private, approved independent, and comprehensive town academy for grades 9-12, specializing in core and honors academics, fine and performing arts, and career services.
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