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
- 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
- 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 Plastic-Free Household Cleaning (Earth911)
Home
- 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
- How to Build Thriving Friendships When You Crave Tons of Alone Time (Success)
- Top 10 Experiential Valentine’s Date Ideas to Surprise Your Partner (Success)
- Bibliotherapy: Boost Well-being and Find Community With a Therapeutic Book Club (Success)
- Planning to Start Your Digital Nomad Journey? Use This Checklist Before You Go (Success)
- Travel Alone at Any Age: Why Solo Traveling for Women 50+ Is Trending and How to Get on Board (Success)
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.
- Impact 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