About the Author

Gretchen and Her Husband

Gretchen Watkins is a scientist and educator with degrees in biology and environmental engineering. She is an award-winning science high school teacher, with a preceding career in the field of environmental science. She has worked for high schools, universities, state, tribal and federal governments, and written laws to protect human health and the environment.

Gretchen Watkins

Author

Work Experience

River

The first 20 years of my professional life I worked as a Hydrologist, Engineer, and Water Resource Specialist for both public and private institutions protecting human and environmental health by designing and regulating infrastructure to protect water quality around the country. I have worked for the US Forest Service, UW Center for Limnology, and the Lac Du Flambeau Natural Resources. I have authored and directed multiple research and regulation grants for more than one million dollars and published several legal and technical reports in protection of human health and the environment.

I also taught community college night classes where I discovered my love for teaching. 2015 I started teaching at the high school level and I love it. Recently I relocated to Missoula Montana and have been writing educational books to support student learning while I am learning about my new location. I have always lived in places where you can connect with the living world. I hope my experiences can help you connect with life also.

As a scientist, I understood that science is about balance, or homeostasis as we biologists like to call it. Balance is the key: not too much sugar, but you have to have some in order to have energy. As an engineer, one is trained to find balance with numbers. The sweet spot where everything works out just right. Well, that is all B. S. when you really think about it. How can two adjoining cells maintain balance when they are both in need? Yet we have muscle tissue that works in harmony with our other body systems as it together powers our movements. It is the glory of Biological Stuff.

- Gretchen Watkins