Taryn earned a bachelor's degree in forestry from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, specializing in wildlife habitat management and conservation. She is pursuing a master's in forestry from SIUC with a specialization in restoration ecology. She has worked in natural resource education and conservation since 2018. She assists in Extension research and is the project coordinator for the Southern Illinois Beginning Forest Landowner Program.  

Taryn’s previous work experience includes positions with SIUC’s Touch of Nature Environmental Center and Department of Forestry, as well as the Forest Restoration Support Team of southern Illinois.