Get to know Senior Engineering Technician Cody Smout

Senior Engineering Technician Cody Smout.

Cody is originally from:

I grew up in deep southern Illinois near the Mississippi River.

Favorite ecosystem:

My favorite ecosystems are definitely tropical forest systems. The biodiversity in them is really astounding. More biodiversity in 100 hectares of tropical forest than in all of North America.. so compelling to me as a naturalist.

Favorite thing to do when not working:

Cooking, gardening, mountain biking, making music.

Role model:

Wade Davis – his work around ethnobotany and preservation of indigenous cultures.

Childhood career ambition:

A professional soccer player and a professional biologist (Ornithologist).

‎Landscape Ecological Designer Sarai Carter and Cody at the New Mexico Reforestation Center project site.

Favorite book and film:

Books – anything by Laurens van der Post; Film – Morvern Callar

Music that instantly puts Cody in a good mood:

Psychedlic cumbia like Los Mirlos, Los Angeles Azules.

Special talent or passion:

Since I was very young I’ve been an intolerable birdwatcher.

Most memorable experiences in nature:

Working in Alaska and having many close encounters with Brown bears.

Favorite food to eat or make:

Tacos.

Welcome to the Southwest Basin & Range team!