Meet our Team: Amy Girard

Name: Amy Girard
Job Title: Mosquito Program Coordinator

Where were you born and raised and what brought you to Teton County?

I was born in Bad Axe, Michigan and moved out west in 2005. While studying the effects of sagebrush treatments on small mammal communities in lovely Randolph, Utah I met my husband to be. We decided to ride his dirt bike up to Jackson one weekend to check out the mythical Tetons for the day. Once we saw the mountains, we knew it was a place we needed to spend more time. We have left a few times since then for jobs and grad school, but we have always been drawn back to this special place.

What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?

I love to camp (when else can I eat smores?), pick up rocks, fish, play board games, and spend time outdoors with my friends and family. I am an avid reader of science fiction and fantasy as well as a lover of open-world RPGs.

If you could rid Teton County of one invasive weed or pest, which would it be and why?

I would rid Teton County of Canada Thistle. I hate how prevalent it is, especially in some backcountry areas of the county. It's a bit depressing to be miles away from a trailhead and walk into a nasty patch of scratchy thistle. The extensiveness of this species makes it incredibly hard to contain and treat, not to mention how uncomforatable it is to hike through.

What motivates you to work hard and why?

I am a strong believer in the philosophy of "work hard play hard". I like increasing the focus and efficiency of my projects and making improvements to better serve the District's needs. However, I also believe in taking the time to find balance and pursue passions and hobbies outside of the wordplace (aka eat more smores.)