Mike Remke grew up in the central and southern Rocky Mountains where frequent visits to the canyon lands of the Colorado Plateau were a form of spring ritual. Ambling about in the backcountry with a backpack full of photo gear or spinning the pedals on his bike to travel long distances on dirt became quintessential for modes of ecological observation. Mike has worked in diverse fields relating to conservation and restoration. From handling the infamous sage grouse in the Western Basin and Range, to forest management in the Southern Rockies, Mike has developed expertise in biotic interactions with a particular interest in plant-soil microbe interactions. Mike has devoted much of his career to teaching and research and holds a BS in Environmental Biology from Fort Lewis College and a PhD in Forest Science from Northern Arizona University. Mike currently teaches at Fort Lewis College where he continues to research themes of restoration and the role of soil biota in facilitating dryland plant restoration projects.