Karen’s background is in social services, including direct practice social work, administration, research and community action. She was the state lobbyist for the Utah Chapter of the Sierra Club for five years in which much of her time focused on environmental justice issues. During this period, she also began her free lance writing career through a monthly environmental legislative column in Catalyst. Karen holds a BA in social sciences, a Masters in social work and a Ph.D. in sociology.

Karen volunteered briefly for HawkWatch in 1984 over a fall weekend in the Goshutes and intends to get back up there soon. An avid sculler (a good vantage point for birding), she also enjoys hiking, snow shoeing and puttering in her increasingly xeriscaped yard.