Since graduating from Elon in 2019 with a B.A. in Adventure Based Learning and a B.S. in Environmental and Ecological Science, Abigail Krump has soared as a young professional.
Building upon her Elon education, Abigail Krump ’19 is immersed as an outdoor facilitator and conservationist in a national fellowship program focused on conservation-based projects for the National Audubon society.
As a Dangermond Fellow in Washington D.C., Krump applies her background in geographic information systems (GIS) and recreational ecology to study, analyze and support a variety of projects for the National Audubon Society. Krump is most eager to develop the analytical and technical skills necessary to improve the sustainability of green spaces as more people venture into the outdoors for revitalization. Krump, originally from Kansas City, Missouri, received her bachelor’s degrees in adventure based learning and environmental and ecological science from Elon.
She is one of three national fellows to participate in the full-time, joint program between Esri and the National Audubon Society. Dangermond Fellows are being trained for leadership roles in conservation science, public policy, and digital mapping careers. They build tools that empower scientists and policy experts to advocate for solutions that meet human needs and protect birds and habitat at the same time. The Dangermond Fellows improve their technical and storytelling abilities with the support and guidance of mentors, leadership, and resources at both Esri and Audubon.
As a Fellow, Krump has worked closely with the director of science technology to develop a high-profile application for the longest-running wildlife count that receives 55 views per day on average. Since June 2020, Krump has redesigned the society’s Birdability tool, a crowd-sourced survey and web map that increases green-space accessibility for those with accessibility challenges, which received attention from the Sierra Club magazine since its relaunch in October 2020.
In April, Krump was accepted as a young professional presenter at Yale’s New Horizons in Conservation conference to showcase her partner project with Georgia Audubon, called “Bird Beyond,” in which she developed a mobile mapping application to support field teams, prioritizing Atlanta neighborhoods, for outreach based on low socio-economic status, low reported birding activity, and high avian habitat.
Most recently, Krump served as a panelist for Cape Fear Sierra Club’s Earth Day Program, ‘Inclusive Access So Everyone Can Enjoy Nature’ through Zoom on April 19. The webinar’s description read, “We all need nature. Getting outdoors improves our mental, physical, and social health. Because of differing physical abilities, many of us experience barriers to full enjoyment of the beautiful outdoors. Creating inclusive access to natural spaces while protecting the environment is an important goal.”
As Krump’s adventure as a Dangermond Fellow with the society comes to a close, she is qualified to support conservation GIS efforts through innovative tools and techniques across the Esri suite. Her dedication to perpetual learning ensures her next organization will be represented by the best tools technology can offer.