MEET ALEXUS KAPKEO!

Educator with Madison Audubon from September 2021 to June 2022

*Alexus Kapkeo wears a gray shirt and smiles at the camera. In the background is a big tree with green leaves. (Photo courtesy of Alexus)*

Hey everyone! My name is Alexus Kapkeo and I’m excited to be the new educator on the Madison Audubon team. I recently completed a BA in Human Geography and Environmental Studies along with a certificate in Asian American Studies at UW-Madison. Some fun facts about me are that I’m originally from Milwaukee, my favorite animal is an elephant, and my zodiac sign is Libra.

Why did you want to join the team at Madison Audubon?

I decided to join the team because I want to help serve the local community through environmental education. After taking some time to reflect on my undergraduate journey, I realized that my past educators were some of the most influential people in my life. Their passion for teaching and endless support were the foundation of my success. With Madison Audubon, I hope to emulate those role models and make a similar impact on local youth.

What's your favorite bird?

Birding is one of the many hobbies I’ve picked up over the past year. Waterfowl have piqued my interest, and I love watching them dabble and dive on Lake Mendota and Monona. I’d say that the Common Loon has been my favorite so far.

*Blue Ridge mountain vista. (Photo by Alexus Kapkeo)*

Name your top three favorite outdoor places.

My top three favorite outdoor places are the UW Lakeshore Preserve, Veteran's Park in Downtown Milwaukee, and the summit of Mount Mitchell on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a.k.a "America's Favorite Scenic Drive."

Share something cool you've learned since joining the team.

Since starting, I’ve spent a lot of my time researching Wisconsin’s native and invasive species. A fun fact I’ve learned is one of the reasons that some invasive species are so successful in new places is that they are allelopathic. That means that they produce chemical compounds that inhibit the growth of other vegetation.

Cover image: A Common Loon floats in the blue waters of a lake (via Pixabay).