Sustainability Commission

Angie Begosh has a Ph.D. in zoology from Oklahoma State University, where she researched how land use affects pollinator communities. Her career includes work as an extension educator in Kentucky, Iowa, Idaho, and New Mexico focusing on natural resources and agriculture education, a salmon habitat restoration grants coordinator in Washington state, and a field technician and contract ecologist in Minnesota. Her volunteer work in Bloomington involves monitoring a bluebird trail, surveying invasive weeds for Three Rivers Park District, and starting prairie plant seeds for Dakota County parks. She is passionate about preserving and enhancing green space in Bloomington and making quality urban habitats accessible to everybody.

After graduating from the School of Environmental Studies and earning a degree from the University of Minnesota, Sarah extended her study abroad experience to a regular residence in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, the most biologically diverse zone in the world. Now living in Bloomington with her husband, three kids, some ducks, and her giant yellow jeep, she hopes her award-winning non-profit roles foster a welcoming space for sustainability conversations and action, accessible to everyone. Sarah is especially passionate about preserving the remaining trout stream just south of MOA, protecting keystone species, and promoting the use of sedges and native species to improve Bloomington's playlots from the ground up, east to west.  

Sean McFarling is a Civil Engineer whose career has focused on helping communities and campuses reduce carbon emissions while improving energy reliability and  sustainability for over the last decade. Using natural resources responsibly and efficiently is a driving motivation for Sean. After moving to Minnesota in college, Sean has lived in Bloomington for over 20 years with his wife Jill, and enjoys being outside, travel, and learning new things.

Andy Scott grew up in Richfield and has been a Bloomington resident for 10 years. He has a degree in Design from MCAD and has been working as a landscape designer since 2017. He is the proprietor of a small landscape company that specializes in native plant communities, habitat gardening, pollinator-friendly practices and residential stormwater management. As an engaged member of the South Loop community Andy is passionate about continuing to improve Bloomington’s natural areas/resources by supporting efforts from the City and its residents.

Abby Childs is a junior at Jefferson High School. In the summer of 2022, she attended an international camp (Camp Rising Sun), where she learned about the importance of sustainability through leaders from other countries. In the Sustainability Commission, Abby hopes to learn from experts in the community and to do her part by supporting and contributing to the commission as well as the City of Bloomington. Abby is passionate about creating a world that is sustainable for future generations and taking steps towards preserving the environment. In the future, she hopes to use her passions in STEM and sustainability and is looking into becoming an environmental engineer as a possible career.