Tess Moody

Forestry and Natural Resources Extension Associate
Forestry and Wildlife Resources Program Team, Water Resources Program Team, TEACH Center

Office: TEACH Center, Charleston
Phone: 864-784-7925

Email: tmoody3@clemson.edu

Educational Background

MAEHS Agricultural Education and Human Sciences
North Carolina State University 2026

MS Fisheries and Wildlife Science-Wildlife Health
University of Tennessee 2013

BS Natural Resource Management - Wildlife Biology
University of Tennessee at Martin 2011

Profile

I conduct educational programs on the natural sciences and evaluate programs for the Forestry and Natural Resources Program Team. My educational background includes studying non-formal adult education in the contexts of citizen science and natural resource studies for a doctoral degree, a B.S. in Natural Resource Management – Wildlife Biology from the University of Tennessee at Martin, and an M.S. in Fisheries & Wildlife Science from the University of Tennessee. My research at UT focused on the transmission cycle of Lyme disease in the southeast, specifically in Plestiodon skinks. My career has included working as a consultant environmental scientist, naturalist kayak tour guide, and natural history interpreter for Charleston County Parks. I have completed the Master Naturalist and Master Rain Gardener courses with Clemson Extension. I am also the founder and active member of the South Carolina Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation.

Extension and Outreach

Certified Master Naturalist 2017
- Taught the reptile and amphibian section in fall 2017 and spring 2018
- Taught the mushroom identification section in spring 2026
Certified Master Rain Gardener 2025
- Assisted with evaluation 2026
Great Southeast Pollinator Census 2026
- Assisted South Carolina Coordinator
- Developed a webinar on hosting events
- Reengineered the pollinator identification trifold

Publications

Moody, T. (2026, June 26). Creating an Indoor Carnivorous Wetland Terrarium: A Step-by-Step Guide. HGIC Factsheet. https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/creating-an-indoor-carnivorous-wetland-terrarium-a-step-by-step-guide/
Moody, T. (2026, May-June). The Great Southeast Pollinator Census: Insect Diversity in the Garden. South Carolina Wildlife, 38–41.
Ginsberg, H. S., Hickling, G. J., Burke, R. L., Ogden, N. H., Beati, L., LeBrun, R. A., Arsnoe, I. M., Gerhold, R., Han, S., Jackson, K., Maestas, L., Moody, T., Pang, G., Ross, B., Rulison, E. L., & Tsao, J. I. (2021). Correction: Why Lyme disease is common in the northern US, but rare in the south: The roles of host choice, host-seeking behavior, and tick density. PLOS Biology, 19(9). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3001396