Portfolio

Here are some highlights of my work:

Books/Reports

Finding Ecohappiness: Fun Nature Activities to Help Your Kids Feel Happier and Calmer
Article “Linking Noise and Vibration to Sick Building Syndrome in Office Buildings” was featured as a chapter in Noise Pollution: Impact and Mitigation, edited by Michael Vimal Pillai (2009).
Co-authored Bioinspired Chemistry for Energy: A Workshop Summary to the Chemical Sciences Roundtable (The National Academies)
Coal: Research and Development to Support National Energy Policy (Wrote Appendix C; researched/produced data used in Chapter 7) (The National Academies)
Wrote Chapter 1 of Managing Coal Combustion Residues in Mines (The National Academies)
Essay “How My Love For Science Shook Me Out of My Comfort Zone” featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Empowered Woman: 101 Stories about Being Confident, Courageous and Your True Self.

Articles

Sustainability

You’ve Probably Never Seen Lumber Like This Before (BobVila.com)
Think Twice Before Bringing These Items Into Your Home—They’re a Hassle to Get Rid Of (BobVila.com)
10 Facts About Sustainability (MSN.com)
Does Your Home Improvement Project Qualify for Tax Credits? (BobVila.com)
3 Reasons to Shop Secondhand Marketplaces This Holiday Season and Beyond (BobVila.com)
3D-Printed Recycled-Glass Bricks Could Be the Next Big Thing for Home Construction (BobVila.com)
Strategic Hardscaping Can Make Your Outdoor Space More Sustainable—Here’s How (BobVila.com)
Dam Removal 101: Why Earth Law Supports Free-Flowing Rivers (Earth Law Center)
Incandescent Light Bulb Ban—All of Your Questions Answered (BobVila.com)
What Is the Most Sustainable Type of Groundcover? (Family Handyman)
Homeowner’s Guide on How To Recycle (Family Handyman)
How Our Plastic and Carbon Footprints are Intertwined (Plaine Products Blog)
Rescuing Product Returns Before They Reach the Landfill (Earth911)
How to Dispose of Carpet Properly (BobVila.com)
Remodeling Your Home? Consider These 10 Ways to Incorporate Recycled Materials (BobVila.com)
10 Innovative Materials Poised to Make Home Building More Sustainable (BobVila.com)
What are Demand Response Programs and How Do They Work? (Sense blog)
12 Ways to Make an Old Home More Energy Efficient (BobVila.com)
9 Home Upgrades the Climate Bill Can Help You Pay For (BobVila.com)
Embodied Carbon: What Is It and Why Is It Important? (Earth911)
Passive House Design: What All Energy-Conscious Homeowners Should Know (BobVila.com)
Towards a More Eco-Friendly Home: Remodeling with Recycled Materials (Washington Parent)

Pollution

These Places Have the Worst Air Quality in the U.S. (Plus Expert Advice for Safeguarding Your Home) (BobVila.com)
What Are Forever Chemicals? (Family Handyman)
What Is Creosote and Why Is It Dangerous? (Family Handyman)
Balancing Noise Pollution with Nature (Today’s Family)
This Is Where to Place Air Purifiers in Your Home for Maximum Benefit (BobVila.com)
5 Facts About Animal Agriculture and Air Pollution That You Just Can’t Argue With (One Green Planet)
This Pesticide Can Cause Cancer and Harms Insects – Why Is It Being Used and How Can We Stop It? (One Green Planet)
Linking Noise and Vibration to Sick Building Syndrome in Office Buildings (EM Magazine of the Air & Waste Management Association)

Climate/Weather

Don’t Let Your Guard Down Yet—Hurricane Season Might Just Be Delayed This Year (BobVila.com)
Friends Matter in This Age of Climate Change (Next Avenue)
Friends Matter in This Age of Climate Change (Green Reporter)
The Farmer’s Almanac Predicts Much Different Winter Weather This Year Compared to Last (BobVila.com)
What to Expect From a La Niña Winter Where You Live (BobVila.com)
New Survey Reveals How Extreme Weather Could Impact Real Estate Choices (BobVila.com)
10 Heat-Resilient Materials That Prove Home Building Is Adapting to Climate Change (BobVila.com)
How to Remove Snow Without Ruining the Environment (Dwell)
NOAA Predicts Widespread Extreme Heat This Summer: 10 Ways to Adapt Your Home and Garden Now (BobVila.com)
This Palm-Size Accessory Can Help Save Your Roof During a Major Storm (BobVila.com)
How To Prepare an Emergency Evacuation Plan (Family Handyman)
Hurricane Preparedness in the Age of Climate Change (Environmental Defense Fund’s Moms Clean Air Force)
How to Turn Winter Snow Into Summer Water Reserves (BobVila.com)
Why You Should Care About Extreme Drought in the Southwest, Even if You Don’t Live There (BobVila.com)
Throngs of Home Buyers Have Relocated to Drought-Stricken Regions—What That Means for the Water Crisis (BobVila.com)
Water Restrictions Are Expanding—What That Means for Your Home and Garden (BobVila.com)
8 Things to Know Before Buying a House in a Wildfire-Prone Region (BobVila.com)

Green Living

How Athletic Wear Impacts the Planet and Your Health (Earth911)
Athletic Clothing Textile Swaps for a Healthier Workout (Earth911)
Understanding Regenerative Agriculture Labels To Make Better Food Choices (Earth911)
Where To Buy Regeneratively Grown Foods (Earth911)
The Best Filters for Your Drinking and Household Water Supply (BobVila.com)
Good, Better, Best: Cutting Carbon From Your Workout (Earth911)
12 Easy Ways to Store Food Without Using Plastic (Washington Parent)
The Short List: Sustainable Fashion (Austin Woman)
How to Choose the Best Diapers for Your Baby and the Environment (Cat & Dogma blog)
The Great Sustainable Clothing Debate: Organic Cotton vs Bamboo (Cat & Dogma blog)
Microplastics and Our Health (Plaine Products Blog)
How to Reduce Plastic This School Year (Plaine Products Blog)
How to Nix Plastic from Your Fitness Routine (Plaine Products Blog)
Why We Need to Understand the History of Plastic Before We Can Tackle the Problem (Plaine Products Blog)
It’s Easy to Go Plastic-Free (Sonoma Life Magazine)
How to Throw an Eco-Friendly Valentine’s Day Class Party (Washington Parent)
How To Recycle All The Plastic This Halloween (Houston Family Magazine)

Green Tech/Smart Tech

This Type of Home Generator Is Gaining Popularity (BobVila.com)
How to Use Smart Tech to Help Your Garden Thrive (Dwell)
How To Save Energy in Your Home With Smart Plugs (Earth911)
Move Over Touch Screens, Buttons Are Coming Back to Home Tech (Yahoo!)
The Pros and Cons of Smart Window Coverings (BobVila.com)
Smart Furniture Has Many Benefits—But It’s Not for Everyone (BobVila.com)

Gardening

Sensory Garden Ideas to Stimulate Your Senses and Delight Your Soul (AARP)
Move Around More Easily in the Garden (Next Avenue)
How Music Can Enhance Your Garden (BobVila.com)
This Low-Maintenance Garden Trend Can Also Improve Your Home Value (BobVila.com)
How to Showcase the 2025 Garden Color of the Year in Your Yard (BobVila.com)
New Study Explains Critical Factors for Pollinator Gardens (BobVila.com)
What Is Permaculture and How Can I Use It in My Home Garden? (BobVila.com)
Who Needs a Yard When You Can Garden on a Roof? (BobVila.com)
Fall Companion Planting: 7 Keys to Success, According to Experts (BobVila.com)
Cucumber Recall Raises the Question: Can Homegrown Produce Make You Sick? (BobVila.com)
The Secret Behind the ‘Hydrangea Hysteria’ That’s Gripping the Northeast (Yahoo!)
Seed Company Ditches Profits So You Can Supply Your Garden With Plants for Free (BobVila.com)
Sci-Fi in the Garden: How to Transform Your Garden to Reflect the “Hortifuturism” Trend (BobVila.com)
The Pros and Cons of Homemade Weed Killers (MSN.com)
Heat- & Drought-Tolerant Veggies for Your Climate-Resilient Garden (Earth911)
The 10 Best Planters for Small Balconies of 2023 (BobVila.com)
The 12 Biggest Houseplant Trends for 2023 (BobVila.com)
What Is Banana Water and Is it Actually Good for Plants? (BobVila.com)
15 Perennial Herbs to Grow for Years of Fresh Flavor, Pest Control, and Cleaning Supplies (BobVila.com)
5 Reasons Why Gardening Can Help Children Feel Happier and Calmer (Kiddos Magazine)
Why Gardening Can Be a Calming Activity (Chicago Suburban Family Magazine)

Lawn and Landscaping

The 9 Best Leaf Blowers, According to Our Testing (Better Homes and Gardens)
Here’s Why You Should Consider Xeriscape Landscaping—and How to Do It—No Matter Where You Live (BobVila.com)
Should You Leave the Leaves on Your Lawn This Fall? (BobVila.com)
How to Make Fall Yard Cleanup a Family Affair (Washington Parent)
How Much Does It Cost to Reseed a Lawn? (Yahoo!)
Choosing a Landscape Designer for Your Family’s Needs (Washington Parent)
Do You Need a Landscape Warranty? (BobVila.com)
What Is Hardscape, Anyway? (BobVila.com)
How Much Does Landscape Curbing Cost? (BobVila.com)
How Can You Mulch Leaves Without a Lawn Mower? (Family Handyman)
How to Grow a Landscaping Business: 13 Steps to Cultivate a Successful Landscaping Company (BobVila.com)
What Licenses Are Needed to Start a Landscaping Business? A State-by-State Breakdown (BobVila.com)
How Much Does It Cost to Winterize a Sprinkler System? (BobVila.com)
How to Get a Landscaping License: Requirements by State (BobVila.com)
How Much Does Sod Cost to Install? (BobVila.com)
Does Liquid Lawn Aerator Actually Work? (Yahoo!)
How Much Does Fall Cleanup Cost? (BobVila.com)
How Much Does It Cost to Level a Yard? (BobVila.com)
How Much Does Land Excavation Cost? (BobVila.com)
What Is the Cost of Landscaping Rocks and River Stones? (BobVila.com)
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Pond? (BobVila.com)
How Much Does Shrub and Bush Removal Cost? (BobVila.com)
How Much Does Sprinkler Repair Cost? (BobVila.com)
How Much Does Hydroseeding Cost? (BobVila.com)
How Much Does Landscape Design Cost? (BobVila.com)

Outdoor Living

10 Ways to Create a Wellness Yard (Family Handyman)
How Much Does a Gazebo Cost? (BobVila.com)
Can Foraging in Your Yard Kill You? (BobVila.com)
10 Outdoor Living Trends Expected to Be Big in 2023 (BobVila.com)
Kid-Friendly Backyards To Inspire Nature Play (Austin Family)

Trees

What Is Tree Equity and How Can You Help Improve It In Your Community? (BobVila.com)
Why All Homeowners Should Know How to Identify Black Walnut Trees (MSN)
Think Twice Before Planting This Tree on Your Property—It Might Be Illegal (BobVila.com)
How Much Does Tree Transplanting Cost? (BobVila.com)
How Much Does a Treehouse Cost to Build? (BobVila.com)
Tired of Killing Trees Every Christmas? Try a Living Christmas Tree (BobVila.com)
Would You Rent a Christmas Tree? Why Some Folks Don’t Hold Onto Their Holiday Decorations (BobVila.com)
How Long Do Christmas Trees Last? (Family Handyman)
How Much Are Real Christmas Trees? (Family Handyman)
When To Take Down a Christmas Tree (Family Handyman)
How To Care for a Living Christmas Tree (Family Handyman)

Cleaning/Organization

Professional Cleaners Reveal 5 Secrets to Get the Cleanest Home Yet (BobVila.com)
Spring Cleaning in the Fall? Experts Say You Should Get on Board (BobVila.com)
New Study Explores Americans’ Relationship to Clutter (BobVila.com)
9 Ways to Organize a Combo Pantry and Laundry Room (BobVila.com)
Solved! How Long Does it Take for Carpet to Dry After Cleaning? (BobVila.com)
Take Steps Toward P lastic-Free Household Cleaning (Earth911)

Home

6 Astonishing Uses for Wax Paper Around the House (BobVila.com)
Expert Tips for Protecting Your Property From Road Salt Damage (BobVila.com)
7 Ways to Make Your Home Look More Expensive, According to Designers (BobVila.com)
Overhead Lighting vs. Lamps: Experts Settle This Great Debate (BobVila.com)
Experts Predict These 5 Curb Appeal Trends Will Be Big in 2025 (BobVila.com)
Why You Might Want to Replace Your Surge Protectors Before the Next Storm (BobVila.com)
Kitchen and Bath Pros Say the Latest Design Trend Goes Back in Time (BobVila.com)
We’re On the Cusp of Something Big for Home Renovations, Say Experts (BobVila.com)
Would You Spend Thousands of Dollars on the Perfect Toilet? (BobVila.com)
This Once-Popular Home Feature Is Falling Out of Favor (BobVila.com)
How to Stormproof Your Home’s HVAC System, According to Experts (BobVila.com)
Multigenerational Living Is on the Rise: 7 Ways to Tweak a House to Make This Arrangement Work (BobVila.com)
The Share of New Homes With This Sought-After Outdoor Feature Continues to Climb (BobVila.com)
Maximalism Interior Design Could Be the Ticket to Joy and Agency in Unstable Times (Success)
This Classic Old Home Feature Can Help Combat the Loneliness Epidemic (BobVila.com)
The Most Convenient Location for a Laundry Room, According to Experts (BobVila.com)
9 Insect-Inspired Interior Décor Ideas (Yahoo!)
How to Protect Your Outdoor Security Cameras During Stormy Weather, According to Experts (BobVila.com)
Is the Land Under Your House Sinking? Experts Say It’s Happening Rapidly in Parts of the U.S. (BobVila.com)
The Red Flags of Low-Quality Furniture (and What to Look for Instead) (BobVila.com)
Plan B: 10 Home Safety Devices That Don’t Run on Electricity Alone (Yahoo!)
You’re Probably Burning Candles Wrong—Here’s How to Do it Safely (Yahoo!)
Energize Your Home With Garden Media’s Color of the Year: Cyber Lime (Family Handyman)
How Electrical Fires Start and How to Prevent Them (BobVila.com)
Gas Stove or Not, This Is the Proper Way to Use Your Range Hood (Yahoo!)
Should You Water Your Foundation? (Yahoo!)
How to Shock a Pool Properly: 8 Steps to Clean, Safe Swimming All Summer Long (BobVila.com)
What Does a Gas Leak Smell Like? (Family Handyman)
Ducted vs. Ductless Range Hood: Which Is Best for Your Kitchen? (Yahoo!)
Soft White vs. Daylight Bulbs: What’s the Difference? (BobVila.com)
What Size Mini-Split Do I Need? (BobVila.com)
Can a Water Heater Explode? Yes—and Learn the 6 Biggest Warning Signs (BobVila.com)
Spooky House Noises To Watch Out For (Family Handyman)
Does Paint Expire? (Family Handyman)
Gas vs. Electric Fireplace: What’s the Difference? (BobVila.com)
Electric Furnace vs. Gas: Which Heating System Is Right for Your Home? (BobVila.com)
10 Ways to Get Around Buying a Box Spring for Your Mattress (BobVila.com)
Solved! What Is a Den? (BobVila.com)
10 Steps to Turn Twin Closets into One Dream Closet (BobVila.com)
Solved! What Is a Loft in a House? (BobVila.com)
Why Does My Washing Machine Smell So Bad? (Family Handyman)

Nature Connection

How Friluftsliv Can Help You Live an Open-Air Life to Boost Well-Being (Success)
Oshibana: What to Do with Pressed Flowers (Mother Earth News)
How to Replace Screen Time With Green Time (Parent Map)
7 Ways to Help Connect Kids With Nature on Family Road Trips (Mother)
How Community Service Projects Help Teens Connect to Nature and De-stress (Your Teen for Parents)
Baby, It’s Bold Outside! 5 Ways to Get Your Teen to Thrive Outdoors (Washington Parent)
Fun Fall Activities to Connect With Nature (Washington Parent)
Take a National Park Road Trip (Arizona Parenting)
Help Kids Connect to Nature (San Diego Family Magazine)
How Nature Can Help Kids Get Their Zzzs (Sonoma Family Life Magazine)
Nature + Volunteering = Opportunity (Arizona Parenting)
How to Build a Nature Habit (Western New York Family Magazine)
The Power of AWE (Houston Family Magazine)

Nature and Mental Health

Ecohappiness Project Blog Posts
Solved! Do Fake Plants Really Provide the Same Health Benefits as Living Plants? (BobVila.com)
Relax And Have Fun Volunteering Outdoors With Your Grandkids (Grand Magazine)
How Nature Helps Beat the Winter Blues (San Diego Family)
Scentsational! 7 Natural Scents To Help Boost Our Mood (Virginia Family)
How Nature Art Can Be A Stress Buster For Kids (Champion Your Parenting)
The Great Outdoors: Immersing our Kids in Nature Offers a Bounty of Benefits (South Florida Family Life)
Fun Ways Nature Helps Reduce Stress (North State Parent Magazine)
The Calming Effect of Water (Houston Family Magazine)
How To Enjoy the Benefits Of Nature Inside When You Can’t Get Outside: How to Ditch a Gloomy Mood (It’s Your Magazine)
Finding Ecohappiness (Arizona Parenting)
How to Build a Backyard Meditation Labyrinth for a Reprieve from Daily Stress (Success)
Why Labyrinth Walking Is A Powerful Meditative Practice + How To Do It (mindbodygreen.com)
3 Fun and Quirky Ways Nature Can Help Reduce Stress (Parent Map)
Calming Mindfulness Activities for Kids Using the Colors of Nature (Montessori Nature)
Outdoor Mindfulness Art Activities to Calm Kids (Green Child Magazine)
3 Ways Your Kids Can Find Mindfulness Through Nature (Parent Co.)
Why Your Kids Will Love Animal Yoga Poses (Houston Family Magazine)

Animals: Wildlife and Pets

Is Your Yard a Threat to Migrating Birds? (BobVila.com)
The Number One Thing You Can Do to Help Protect Native Bees Where You Live, According to New Research (BobVila.com)
Fireflies Are Disappearing—and We’re to Blame (BobVila.com)
How Much Does a Chicken Coop Cost to Build? (Yahoo!)
Drain Flies vs. Fruit Flies: Which Tiny Winged Pest Is Invading Your Home? (BobVila.com)
Solitary Bees: Nature’s Unsung Heroes (Family Handyman)
Rat vs. Mouse: How to Tell Which Rodent Pest You’re Dealing With (BobVila.com)
9 Types of Ticks to Watch Out for This Year—and Which Ones Can Cause You the Most Harm (BobVila.com)
How Much Does a Koi Pond Cost? (BobVila.com)
10 Types of Ants Every Homeowner Should Know (BobVila.com)
12 Ways to Predict the Weather by Watching Nature in Your Backyard (BobVila.com)
The Best Place to Hang Bird Feeders for Safety and Optimal Viewing (Yahoo!)
12 Types of Bird Feeders Every Backyard Birder Should Know (BobVila.com)
How to Attract Bluebirds to Your Backyard: 12 Tips That Work (BobVila.com)
How to Remove a Tick Safely (BobVila.com)
Attract More Hummingbirds to Your Yard by Avoiding These 10 Common Mistakes (BobVila.com)
Emotional Benefits of Pet Dogs for Kids (Oregon Family Magazine)
IRL Manatee Deaths Drastically Rise Due to Seagrass Loss (The Pelican Sierra Club Florida)
How Your Family Can Help Save the Bees (Growing Up Chico)
New Jersey Artificial Reef Program: Old and Obsolete Leads to New Life (Sea Isle Times)
Strandings on the Seven Mile Beach Not Usual (Seven Mile Times)

Education and Camp

9 Ways to Help Your Grandkid Select a College (AARP)
Finding Ecohappiness in the Classroom (Green Teacher)
Nature Activities to Enjoy at Your Local Library (Houston Family Magazine)
Girls Who Click: Inspiring Young Female Nature Photographers (Children & Nature Network)
Camp Is More Important Than Ever–For All Of Us (MetroKids Magazine)
5 Benefits of Hands-On Learning in a Tech-Crazed World (It’s Your Magazine)
5 Ways Nature Can Help Your Kids Disconnect from Technology (Learning Here and There)
At Home in the World: Explore the Unique Benefits of Sleep Away Camp (Washington Parent Magazine)
How Children Find Their Purpose at Camp (City Parent)

Health and Wellness

Chronicles of Change: Storytelling Events Help Women Navigate Menopause (Next Avenue)
Have to Pee All the Time? Here’s How to Handle a Road Trip (AARP)
Want less stress? Declutter your life (Gulf Coast Woman)
3 Nutrition Hacks to Keep Your Kids Calm and Relaxed (Washington Parent)
Be a fitness role model for your kids (Houston Family Magazine)
How To Build An Uplifting Gratitude Habit In Your Home (Tulsa Kids)
No Joke: Laughter is Best for Raising Kids (Cincinnati Family)
5 Community Service Ideas to Help Stay Fit (Taffeta)

Lifestyle

Work/Business

6 Green Employee Benefits Companies Can Offer to Reduce Their Carbon Footprint (Success)
Climate Protection Could Soon Be Part of Your Employee Benefits Package (Success)
Mindfulness at Work: How to Audit Your Workspace and Maximize Well-Being (Success)
Humor in the Workplace: How to Be Funny at Work Without Crossing the Line (Success)
Has Employee Training Gotten Dull? Use Gamification to Enhance It (Success)
7 Green Office Ideas Businesses Can Explore (TechTarget)
How to Increase Employee Engagement on Sustainability (TechTarget)
How Nature Can Enhance Your Workday (DC EcoWomen blog)

Profiles

Rescuing Packages for Good (Success)
Creating a Sustainable Future One Building at a Time (Austin Woman)
A Greener Tomorrow: A Landscaping Star in the Heart of Hollywood (synkd Landscaping Magazine)
Making a Splash: Kurt Bland Discusses Acquiring Foster Lake & Pond Management (synkd Landscaping Magazine)
Staffing Up (synkd Landscaping Magazine)

The following profile articles of non-profit organizations appeared in the Impact 100 Palm Beach County newsletter. They were also published in several local community magazines as ghostwritten pieces. I conducted the interviews and wrote the articles.

I mpact 100 Magazine — Women Uniting To Transform Our Community: A curated collection of stories that reveal the of our mission
Bound for College
Boys and Girls Club
Community Greening
Equine-Assisted Therapies of South Florida
Palm Beach Dramaworks
Place of Hope
Tri County Animal Rescue
YMCA Watersmart