Barbara was born and raised in New Hampshire. After graduating from the University of New Hampshire, she moved south to Connecticut, where she taught 8th grade English for 30 years. Upon retirement, she moved further south to sunny Florida.

"Having found Don Pedro Island is like finding paradise. There is no place I'd rather be! I love the nature here and have been a sea turtle patrol volunteer for twenty years."

Barbara completed gopher tortoise training under Ashton Biodiversity Research and Preservation Institute and is a member of the Island's Gopher Tortoise Team, which aids and addresses gopher tortoise issues with residents, builders, and landscapers.

Living on this unique island has shown her the importance and the impact we all have on the environment. She and Linda Cotherman established the Bocilla Islands Conservancy in 2015 to help preserve these special islands that we all call home.