Local Land & Wildlife Protection

Is your neighborhood trying to fight a new, big “development” on green land?

Environmental policy, municipal government, zoning and re-zoning - it’s all its own tedious language. I am well-versed in environmental policy and law, regulatory requirements, and local zoning processes, especially on the East Coast. You can learn more about my efforts on the Defend Land Against Development page. I can work with you and your neighbors to teach and empower you on how to fight back, share your story with the media to garner support, and to speak up on your behalf as needed.

This stuff matters. You can make a difference. It would be my pleasure to assist.

Antarctic Research & Policy

For government agencies, universities, NGOs and Antarctic tour operators seeking advice and assistance with:

  • Antarctic research (field and/or desktop)

  • Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCMs)

  • Conservation Commission for Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)

  • Navigating NSF and the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP)

  • Improving environmental standards (for tour operators)

I As an Antarctic expert, I’ve been actively involved in the Antarctic realm since 2016. I am a peer-reviewed, published Antarctic researcher who specializes in penguins and international policy. I worked with the U.S. National Science Foundation as an Antarctic Environmental Policy Fellow, served on the U.S. Delegation to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) in 2022, aided the U.S. Delegation to CCAMLR, and worked as a Rapporteur at the ATCM in 2024. I’ve written multiple white papers for ATCM and CCAMLR meetings to support Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs) and The Ross Sea MPA, and reviewed hundreds of IEEs from tour operators and scientists. I also spent a month on deployment at McMurdo Station, and performed an environmental evaluation on an Antarctic cruise vessel.

I am deeply passionate about the Antarctic, and would be thrilled to help your mission in any way.

Something else?

Need help with a conservation project or idea that isn’t listed here?

Testimonials

  • "Ally is engaging, open, knowledgeable, and friendly in front of groups. She presents complex topics in an approachable way, and she adapts to her audience. Her first-hand experience in several hands-on, real-world, field-based settings gives her a perspective that many students have yet to experience themselves, but she transports them with her stories and her knowledge. Her intelligence is clear, and she can move you to laughter or tears with her passion for the ocean and the world around us."

    Amanda Cole, Duke University Marine Lab

  • "Ally has visited my undergraduate class on Antarctica twice now to tell them about the Antarctic Treaty System. Her presentations are always well organized, clear, and highly informative and her direct involvement in treaty meetings gives her great insight on this system.  Thus, the students were completely engaged in the discussion and asked lots of questions.  I highly recommend Ally for your meetings on this and other policy and conservation topics."

    Dr. Steve Emslie, UNC Wilmington

  • "Our neighborhood residents recently worked with Ally to fight back against the rezoning and redevelopment of a piece of land that would greatly impact our community.  Ally was very knowledgeable and a wonderful speaker and spoke on our behalf with clear and concise language that showed our passion and engagement on the proposal.  With her help, we were able to make the town council understand that the developer’s proposal was not a good fit for our community at this time.  We know the fight isn’t over, but we are immensely grateful that we had Ally on our side to help us fight!"

    Heide Rumble