Nienke Beintema holds an MSc in Biology (Ecology) from the University of Groningen, the Netherlands. She also obtained a certificate in Environmental Education from the University of Minnesota, US. Nienke is currently enjoying a bohemian life based in Haarlem (near Amsterdam), combining freelance science writing and consultancies for a variety of organizations. These include UNEP-AEWA, the Dutch Organization for Scientific Research and the Dutch national newspaper NRC.