Laura Gumpper is a Master’s student at the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability with a focus on Conservation Ecology, Ecosystem Management, and Geospatial Data Science. She worked as an engineering professional for several years after earning her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Michigan State University and pursued advanced education so that she could transition into an environmental profession. Having grown up in the Metro Detroit area, Laura is passionate about environmental stewardship in Southeast Michigan and currently serves this community through her Master’s Capstone project focused on wetland restoration and as a Jr. Restoration Ecologist/Environmental Consultant for Natural Community Services. She has worked on a variety of projects aimed at restoring the biological function and beauty of Metro Detroit ecosystems, natural resources, and green infrastructure, and plans to continue performing this type of work upon graduation in 2023.