Jannifer Powelson

Born and raised on a farm in West Central Illinois, Jannifer Powelson's interest in conservation and the natural world was sparked at an early age, and she always enjoyed writing stories. Powelson's education in nature continued at college, and she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois and a Master's Degree in Biology from Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville. She conducted thesis research in Northern Illinois, where she also practiced identifying and photographing prairie plants. Many of these plant photos are featured in the first book in the Rachel Raccoon and Sammy Skunk Series, Rachel and Sammy Visit the Prairie. The main characters, Rachel Raccoon and Sammy Skunk, were derived from Powelson's wildlife research on raccoons, when she also experienced a few interesting and stinky incidents with skunks.

Rachel and Sammy Visit the Forest - A Guide to Spring Woodland Wildflowers is the second book, and Rachel and Sammy Learn About Trees is the third book in the series. The fourth of these fun and educational books, Rachel and Sammy Learn to Conserve was released in the spring of 2013.

Jannifer is employed as a conservationist and resides in Princeton, Illinois with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys reading, writing, photography, nature, and travel. In 2012, she co-founded Progessive Rising Phoenix Press, and they are busy publishing and promoting a wide variety of children's and young adult books.