Laura Fischer Walter grew up surrounded by prairies in the Flint Hills of Kansas. She received her BA and MS (biology) from Kansas State University, where she participated in ecological field studies at the Konza Prairie Biological Station and first learned to appreciate and identify dozens of species of native plants. Before joining the Tallgrass Prairie Center, she taught high school biology and earth science and always found ways to bring prairie into the classroom — or her classes to the prairie. At the TPC, she manages production of Iowa ecotype stock seed for native seed growers, facilitates communication among native seed stakeholders, and fosters prairie education and awareness. She and her husband, Michael, a UNI biology professor, have three grown children and two pet cats. In her spare time, Laura enjoys walking, nature photography, gardening, choral singing, and learning languages.