Pat Stutz recently joined the Board in September and took over the Conservation Chair position, previously held by Kashena Hottinger. Pat and Kashena work for Indy Parks and Recreation, and they were introduced to ABAS through this connection. Pat is excited to be serving as a Board member and is keen to plan conservation work for ABAS!
Originally from Texas, Pat has lived all over the United States and even lived in Germany for several years. They moved to downtown Indy in 2019, where they currently live. Pat has worked for Indy Parks since 2023, starting as a naturalist at the Ornithology Center at Eagle Creek Park. Their favorite part of the job was getting to train the raptor ambassadors as well as teaching guests about each animal. They left in 2024 for Holliday Park, where they design educational programs for all ages. “I love working at a city park because I believe that they are an underutilized resource for environmental education. Many of our guests have not spent a significant amount of time outdoors and are so eager to learn about and to experience nature. I am so grateful that I get to introduce people to the wonder of the outdoors and to hopefully inspire a lifelong passion for the natural world.”
Pat started their academic career at Mount Holyoke College, with a bachelor’s degree in physics. However, they simply could not ignore their love for flora, fauna, and everything in between; so, they headed to Purdue University and completed a master’s in Forestry and Natural Resources in 2022. Their work mainly focused on invasive plant species of the Midwest and habitat management.
When not working, Pat can be found birding and at Eagle Creek, Cool Creek, or McCloud Nature Parks. They are always on the prowl looking for raptors, especially any hawks or owls. When not working or birding, Pat can be found hiking and foraging. They love to take road trips with their partner to explore natural spaces. Their current favorite region to explore is the Upper Great Lakes.