Aspect recently welcomed Stephen Bartlett to our Yakima office. Here are Five Questions we asked to get to know him better.
Stephen Bartlett, GIT, Staff Geologist
1. Where are you from? If you’re not from the Pacific Northwest, what brought you here?
I am from Pierce County, Washington. I have lived in Florida, Hawaii, Colorado, and am now back here. I was brought back to Washington to be close to family and interesting opportunities.
2. What inspired you to pursue hydrogeology? What made you curious about it?
I was inspired to pursue working with groundwater and surface water after taking a hydrogeology course. I then attended a meeting in Colorado about the water issues in the Rio Grande and the San Luis Valley aquifer. I was curious about the availability of water in the areas and the water rights involved in the situations, and how the changing climate and increasing population will affect the way things work out in the future.
3. What do you like best about your area of expertise? What excites you and keeps you motivated?
I would say I do not yet have an area of expertise. However, what excites me and keeps me motivated is the opportunity to learn.
4. What do you like to do when you aren’t working?
I have many hobbies. Some of them are season dependent. I like to travel, garden, grow plants, read, and ski. I design and build things, such as reptile cages, bed frames, tables, or anything else that is needed or just pops into my head as a fun project. I also enjoy fermenting anything that is fermentable, mainly drinks (beer, wine, kombucha) and bread but also other foods. I am also looking for new, low-cost hobbies.
5. Where in the world would you like to travel next?
The next place I would like to travel to is Australia.