Savanna Henning

Savanna (she/her) grew up near Des Moines, Iowa. The parts of Iowa that remain wild shaped her views of nature and how humans alter our ecosystems. She can recall hours spent in and around the Wapsipinicon River catching frogs, eating s’mores around the campfire, following freshwater mussel trails in shallow waters and watching the bats catch bugs over the water at sunset. She studied conservation biology and French and ran cross country at Central College in Pella, IA. She had no intention at the beginning of college to pursue conservation studies but stumbled upon an opportunity to research native prairies and bats with a professor, which propelled a strong interest in working outdoors and caring for the environment as a career path. Since graduating, Savanna has been living and working near Minneapolis, Minnesota. She served for almost 2 years as a Minnesota GreenCorps member, working as an environmental educator for a biological field station. Most recently, she worked as a wildlife technician for the National Park Service, studying beavers, bats and more! It has always been the connection of people, place and wild spaces that makes Savanna excited about going to work! In her spare time recently, Savanna enjoys spending time with family and friends, going for retired runner jogs, traveling to new places, learning about sustainable agriculture, eating dessert and fostering cats. She is excited to build community and grow as an environmental educator in the next few years at Walking Mountains!