Lucy grew up in Michigan, where the Great Lakes — especially Lake Michigan — taught her how to swim, surf, play, and connect with the outdoors. This led her to becoming an environmental educator and to be committed to connecting people, place, and local knowledge.

She attended the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, where she earned a B.S. in Environmental Studies with a minor in Water and the Environment and an M.S. in Environment and Sustainability, specializing in environmental behavior, education, and communication. Her research and work has centered on ecological restoration and community resilience. 

As both an educator and scientist, Lucy believes the natural world is the best classroom. In her free time, she enjoys training for triathlons, improving her surfing skills, and writing.