Eric Comely

Eric grew up in the rolling hills of bluegrass in Kentucky. A consistent love for all things outdoors was encouraged by his parents and grandparents on frequent wading trips to Elkhorn Creek in Franklin County, KY. He graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a B.A. in English (Literature), but he left, soon after, to pursue a position as a Wilderness Counselor in Tennessee. After he returned back to Kentucky, he began his long-desired pursuit of a formal education in biology and natural history, as well as beginning his career with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and the 4-H Youth Development Program.

Eric’s passion for plants grew from a Plant Ecology class he took with Dr. Ross Clark. After this class, he filled his schedule with as many plant courses as possible, including Dendrology, Plant Systematics, Aquatic and Wetland Plants, and Ecology of Old Growth Forests. During this stretch, he was published in Castanea: Journal of the Southern Appalachian Botanical Society for the discovery of a new species of tree in Kentucky (Triadica sebifera). A brief pause to complete another M.S. in Recreation and Parks Administration, and he was back on track with learning as much as possible about the beautiful outdoors he loved so much. He has continued his love of learning with classes dealing primarily with aquatic ecosystems and invertebrates. He is still working toward completion of his M.S. in Biology.

Eric continues to pursue his passion of outdoor and environmental education through his work with the 4-H Youth Development program. He maintains certifications as an environmental educator in Project WILD, Project Learning Tree, and Project WET. He has also been Kentucky Certified Environmental Educator. He is an active member of the Kentucky Association of Environmental Education and the Kentucky Native Plant Society. Eric is an avid hiker and photographer, and enjoys spending time in creeks and forests with his wife, Sara, and his daughter, Addison.