The woodlands of eastern Vermont sparked Sophie Hartley‘s early interest in forest ecosystems. She studied human development and creative writing at the University of Chicago, where she wrote about wild boar, rewilding, and rural Montana’s pushback against bison conservation.

Her work with the Marine Biological Laboratory and the New Hampshire State Parks helped Sophie find her footing as a photojournalist. Since graduating, she has been writing fauna and flora identification guides for hikers in Arizona’s Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. 

At MIT, Sophie wants to keep investigating how culture and science clash in conservation efforts. When she’s not writing or taking pictures, you can usually find her trying to redecorate her apartment.