Christopher Woolridge
About Christopher Woolridge
Christopher Woolridge serves as the Science Intern Program Manager at the Chicago Botanic Garden, where he has worked since 2019. He focuses on predictive seed sourcing and ecological restoration, leveraging his extensive background in plant biology and conservation.
Work at Chicago Botanic Garden
Christopher Woolridge has worked at Chicago Botanic Garden since 2016, initially as a Research Technician for three months. He returned to the organization in 2017 and has since held the position of Conservation and Land Management Program Coordinator/Research Technician. In this role, he has been involved for seven years in managing federal contracts for botanical services and seed collections as part of the national Seeds of Success program. Additionally, he has served as the Science Intern Program Manager since 2019, overseeing the coordination of logistics for training, supplies, population scouting, and seed collection for field crews.
Education and Expertise
Christopher Woolridge holds a Master's degree in Plant Biology and Conservation from Northwestern University, where he studied from 2015 to 2017. He also earned a Bachelor of Science in Integrative Biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, completing his studies from 2010 to 2014. His academic background has equipped him with expertise in ecological restoration, particularly through his focused research on predictive seed sourcing and the suitability of southern sourced seeds for restoration efforts.
Background
Christopher Woolridge has a diverse background in ecological research and conservation. He began his career as a Crew Leader with the Youth Conservation Corps from 2009 to 2012. His research experience includes positions as an Avian Behavior Research Assistant and various roles at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he contributed to projects in evolutionary ecology and aquatic ecology. He has also worked as a Natural Resources Intern at the Naval Facilities Engineering Command and as a Plant Community Ecology Intern at the University of Minnesota.
Achievements
Throughout his career, Christopher Woolridge has contributed to various research initiatives and programs focused on ecological restoration and conservation. His work managing federal contracts for botanical services and seed collections as part of the Seeds of Success program demonstrates his commitment to enhancing conservation efforts. Additionally, his role in coordinating training and logistics for field crews reflects his organizational skills and dedication to outreach and education in conservation issues.