Bill Becker

Profile: Since completion of my degree in Fall Term 2006, I have returned to my position at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. I took a one year educational leave of absence to devote full time to the completion of the degree requirements. Shortly after my return, I received a promotion to Natural Resource Specialist III in the laboratory division where I continue to manage and assure quality of the information created by our air quality monitoring network at sites throughout Oregon. In August of 2007, I also began working as a botanical consultant for Oregon’s Wild Harvest, a grower and distributor of herbal supplements. I am verifying the genus and species of plants grown on their 40 acre farm and those that they purchase wholesale for distribution under their label. This involves keying out and positively identifying plants that are both native to this area and many that are native to Europe, Japan, China, India, Sri Lanka and other places within North America. It has been interesting trying to find the botanical manuals for some of these distant places and learning about the flora. I have also been creating an herbarium of dried and pressed plant samples for staff reference. Most recently I have been creating a virtual photographic herbarium for use on the company website and as a marketing tool. In January of 2008, I also began teaching a non-majors biology course series (Bio 101/102/103) at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon just east of Portland. This term we are covering an introduction to genetics and heredity looking at life cycles and reproductive efforts of both plants and animals. Next term, the focus will be on ecology, with a few field trips to study forest botany. It has been rewarding so far to be able to pass on my enthusiasm for biology to students who have not had a great deal of experience in this subject. I have been keeping busy with these projects and my 3 acres of organic vegetables and shrubs, and the nurturing of my own woodlot of native trees such as red alder, Douglas fir and western red cedar. All of the employment situations I am engaged in are at least partially due to the fact that I have completed my Master’s Degree. My PSM degree has been working for me!

fatbirdfarm@gmail.com