Michael Byrd
Prescott College Affiliation : Alumnus
Program : Bachelor of Arts
Area of Study : Environmental Conservation and Resource Management
Graduation Year : 1996
As an undergraduate student I became involved with a local non-profit organization called Prescott Creeks Preservation Association (PCPA). Since then I've been a general volunteer for PCPA, served as the president for two years and was hired as the first Watson Woods Riparian Preserve manager in 1999.
In addition to my work with PCPA I'm a partner in Riparia, Inc., a Prescott-based ecological consulting firm. With Riparia I've had the opportunity to conduct riparian restoration, education and research projects throughout Arizona. I try to find time for the fun jobs too. For the past two years I've spent untold hours crawling around the banks of the Verde River counting willow and cottonwood sprouts. And they pay me for it!?! All in all, my career has just fallen into place. I have been blessed with my opportunities and the great friends I have in Prescott. I currently live just south of Prescott with my best friend, Osito. I came to Prescott College from one of the largest universities in the country. The small, intimate setting at Prescott College taught me that I could get to know my mentors and instructors on a personal level. One of those relationships led me to the work I'm now doing. I also learned how to be creative with my livelihood.
Advice to students: Decide what you want to do. Deciding seems to be the hardest part for most people. Find something you can get your hands around and then put every ounce of passion into it. It's worked for me so far.
"The small, intimate setting at Prescott College taught me that I could get to know my mentors and instructors on a personal level."
Highlights
-
Colin Khoury
After finishing his B.A. at Prescott College, Colin worked as a Crop Curator at Native Seeds/SEARCH in Tucson, and Patagonia, Arizona, and as ... Learn more >
-
Fulton Wright
Former Faculty Member and College Trustee, Fulton Wright Looks to the Future of Prescott College with Planned Giving. Physicist and amateur ... Learn more >
-
Erin Conlen
Erin Conlen studied Sustainable Community Development at Prescott College, Arizona, and uses her education to find sustainable solutions ... Learn more >
-
Angie Tomey
Alumna Angie Tomey co-owns a farm that serves 400 CSA members, runs a flower business and an internship program at Mountain Bounty Farm in ... Learn more >
-
Cameron Boswell
After graduating, I moved to the small mountain town of Nederland, CO for three years where I worked as the Teen Center Director at a local ... Learn more >
