• History

  • Rachel was raised in a small town in SW North Dakota, near the South Dakota Boarder. 

  • Rachel went to school both in a Catholic school and in a public school.

  • Rachel was raised by grandparents after her mother died and her father was found to be abusive.

  • Despite adversity, Rachel graduated early with a GED.

• Rachel attended North Dakota State University in Fargo to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology.

• Rachel attended St. Cloud State University to earn a Master's Degree in Community Counseling.

• At North Dakota State University.

  • President of the Student Environmental Advisory Council.

    • Hosted Earth Day Events.

    • Encouraged recycling on campus.

• In Fargo.

  • Volunteered at the Spirit Room (Fargo's Creative, Contemplative, and Healing Arts Center).

    • Organized and hosted events.

    • Developed the library.

• In Minnesota.

  • Volunteered at the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.

    • Led volunteer habitat restoration groups.

• In Crystal.

  • Environmental Quality Commission.

    • Developed and led the Volunteer Habitat Restoration Program.

    • Achieved grant funding for continued habitat restoration in Crystal.

    • Spoke in October of 2023 about the Volunteer Habitat Restoration Program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_4TEt1GRxA&t=362s

• New Hope Women of Today (A service organization).

  • Hosted park clean-ups.

  • Wrote a monthly newsletter article (Eco-Minute)

  • Won additional funding ($1,000) through the Minnesota Women of Today Foundation for the Volunteer Habitat Restoration Program in Crystal.

  • Organized an outreach program for unhoused Minneapolis residents.

From learning how to make candles from reusable wax, to growing a garden in 1999, Rachel has been a long-time environmentalist. More recently, in her involvement with the Women of Today, Rachel wrote a monthly newsletter called Eco-Minute to help inform members about environmental issues and actions they can take to improve their impact on the environment. She also explained and encouraged composting in that organization.

Rachel has had training through the Mississippi National River and Recreational Area in how to lead habitat restoration groups, and as a member of the Environmental Quality Commission, hosted the Volunteer Habitat Restoration Program in 2022 in Bassett Creek Park, and in 2023 in Hagemeister Pond Nature Area. Through Rachel's efforts, the Volunteer Habitat Restoration Program has received funding through Hennepin County and also from the Minnesota Women of Today Foundation. From these grants, thousands of dollars have been allocated toward tools and consultation with a habitat restoration specialist, for all of Crystal's nature areas.