The Writer
Jeanne Townsend Handy holds an M.A. in Environmental Studies and a B.A. in English. As part of her graduate studies, she completed a two-year internship with the Illinois EPA where she gained an insider’s perspective regarding contamination issues. She subsequently worked as a technical writer and editor of publications produced for the statewide floodplain mapping program of the University of Illinois. As a freelance writer, Jeanne has covered topics such as habitat restoration, threatened species, and Superfund contamination for which she received the Jacqueline Jackson Creative Nonfiction Writing award from the University of Illinois at Springfield. In 2021, she attained certification as an Illinois Master Naturalist.
The Photographer
Tom Handy has worked professionally in photography and computer graphics since the late 80's. His images have been published alongside the writing of Jeanne Townsend Handy. He has focused his lens primarily upon environmental subjects, which have ranged from the expansive to the metaphorical and nuanced. He has also worked extensively in environmental portraiture, capturing people and their surroundings. In addition, his graphics and watercolor painting have been featured in numerous brochures, posters, and websites.