Meghan Carter-Johnson

Senior Coordinator, Engagement

Meghan has worked at Audubon Dakota since joining the staff as a Communications and Engagement Fellow in 2018. Her past position was at Dodge Nature Center in St Paul, MN, where she completed a Naturalist Fellow Program focused on teaching outdoor educational programs and working with Dodge Nature Center’s animal ambassadors, which included, reptiles, amphibians, and raptors. Meghan has a B.A. in Biology and Environmental Science from the College of Saint Benedict (’16) and an M.S. in Education from Minnesota State University Moorhead (’20). Today, she leads outreach and engagement programs for youth, homeschool, and other community groups while coordinating volunteers for the Volunteer Network

What is your conservation influence?

Bringing back grasslands! Grasslands, or Prairies, are one of the most underrated habitats in North America. More than tumbleweeds and open sky, these commonly undervalued but biologically rich habitats are filled with an abundance of plants and wildlife. In fact, grasslands not only improve our water quality and soil health, but are also a critical habitat for our struggling grassland birds. Grassland birds are among the most imperiled wildlife due to habitat loss. For me, nothing beats an early morning walk out in the grasslands. There are breathtaking sunrises with dozens of species of plants and wildlife to observe. Grasslands are a wonder and deserve to be conserved and restored. Don’t knock it until you try it: once you are introduced to the beauty and value of grassland habitats, you probably won’t look at them the same.

Favorite Bird and why:
Barred Owl. Not only was a Barred Owl the first bird I was fortunate enough to interact with and care for at the Dodge Nature Center, but something about owls has always interested me. Owls are mysterious animals that often spark others’ curiosity about learning more about birds and their habitats. Plus, they’re pretty easy to identify! Barred Owls are a lot easier to hear than see, thanks to their signature hoot “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?,” which is among one of my favorite calls to teach others.    

To contact Meghan, please email her at meghan.carter@audubon.org

Articles by Meghan Carter-Johnson

Audubon Dakota Hosting Two Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest Affiliated Events
Press Center

Audubon Dakota Hosting Two Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest Affiliated Events

— Highlighting Conservation in North Dakota
Calling All Volunteers
Press Room

Calling All Volunteers

— Help us make a difference in conservation!
Happy ALMOST Giving Hearts Day!
News

Happy ALMOST Giving Hearts Day!

— Birds tell us it's time to take action!
It's Fun! It's Science! It's a BioBlitz!
News

It's Fun! It's Science! It's a BioBlitz!

— Microsoft-Fargo volunteers joined Audubon Dakota's first Fall Migration BioBlitz.