Amy Byrne

Where are you from?

I live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I am working in a hybrid position at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois as a Tree Conservation Coordinator for the Global Conservation Consortium for Oak (GCCO) under the Global Tree Conservation.

What is your professional background?

I earned my Bachelors of Science in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2018. Starting in 2019, I worked as an assistant for ArbNet, the international network of arboreta, at The Morton Arboretum, and then transitioned into my role as a Tree Conservation Coordinator in late 2019. In my role as a coordinator, I am constantly communicating with a variety of audiences through a variety of outlets every day. Therefore, I am working towards earning a Graduate Certificate at Colorado State University in the field of Communications for Conservation.

How did your interest in oaks start?

My interest in oaks really ramped up when I started my position as the Tree Conservation Coordinator for the Global Conservation Consortium for Oak. However, back in 2017 when I was a fellow under Dr. Andrew Hipp at The Morton Arboretum I was able to join a collecting trip for bur oak leaf material, and I recall my amazement by the stature and size of the bur oaks. I instantly fell in love with bur oaks, but my interest and passion for oaks grew stronger when I was able to immerse myself in learning more about oaks and engaging with oak experts around the world.

How did you come to join the IOS?

I joined the IOS when I started at The Morton Arboretum as they are an institutional member.

Which is your favorite oak?

My favorite oak is southern live oak (Quercus virginiana). Their swooping, large branches create such a beautiful aesthetic. 

An oak anecdote you would like to share?

When I first started my position as the Tree Conservation Coordinator for the Global Conservation Consortium for Oak (GCCO), I did not realize the many shapes and sizes oaks can have. For example, Quercus havardii, native to the southwest takes on such a shrubby form, which I was shocked to learn about. The amount of diversity that there is within the genus is amazing! I am learning something new every day, and I feel so privileged to work with such amazing oak experts and professionals every day within the GCCO network.