Amanda Byrd (she/her)

Chief Storyteller

Email: agbyrd@alaska.edu
Phone: 907-474-7544
Phone: 907-978-0305

Expertise

• Biomass
• Storytelling
• Policy and Global Application

BIO

Amanda Byrd joined ACEP in 2008 during its inception and serves as the chief storyteller. She shares research news through the ACEP Newsletter and produces short films that tell Alaska community energy and food security stories. She has also produced videos and virtual field trips for UAF's College of Engineering and Mines and the AlaskaX free online classes, and a video series for the Alaska’s Changing Arctic: Energy Issues and Trends report. She is also the chief storyteller for the Arctic Remote Energy Networks Academy.

Byrd provides technical support to ACEP partners in the Alaska Biomass Working Group and sits on the Alaska Wood Energy Development Task Group.

Byrd holds an M.S. in renewable energy science from UAF and a B.S. in natural resources management from the University of New England, Australia.

Growing up in Sydney, Australia, Byrd trained racehorses there and in Japan prior to her college experience. Falling in love with the North American forests during a college year studying abroad in Colorado, she moved to Alaska in search of adventure. She is a reformed sprint dog musher, enjoys running and has participated in Fairbanks' Equinox Marathon. Other pastimes include cross country skiing, backpacking, floating rivers, baking, cooking and writing.