The Owners' Manual | Issue 24 | Spring 2022

Christa Mandler Meriden | Environmental October 2021

Who inspires you and why? Speak of the devil, Carl Sagan for sure. The man was a poet as well as a great scientist. His words have the power to turn the pursuit of science into a spiritual experience. “The Pale Blue Dot” sends chills up my spine every time I hear it or read it.

What is the nerdiest thing you do in your spare time?

Oh gods... um... I AM a nerd so, everything? I play Dungeons and Dragons on weekends?

What is something you learned in the last week? Or since joining BL?

Tell us about yourself! I grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, but always wanted to live near/study the ocean. I majored in marine biology at University of Rhode Island, but discovered during my undergraduate studies that I SCUBA diving gives me horrible anxiety! So I switched over to environmental science for my graduate degree. Upon graduating, I decided I liked New England and wanted to stay here. I now live in Rocky Hill, CT with my husband and our school of colorful tropical fish. Do you have a talent or hobby? I study karate! Currently I hold brown belt rank, but I hope to make black belt soon. I also am working on my own sci-fi novel. What did you want to be when you grew up? I always wanted to be a scientist! What is a favorite vacation or dream destination? I would love to visit Australia. There’s so much unique wildlife there. It’s just so far away! What is one of your favorite quotes? Basically anything Carl Sagan ever said, but if I had to pick a favorite “The sky calls to us. If we do not destroy ourselves, we will, one day, venture to the stars.”

learned that sometimes environmental restoration can be messy. Sometimes it involves just spraying sediment all over a wetland to bring it above water level so the plants can grow back.

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