Born in Wisconsin in 1930, Dave Olson grew up in Wisconsin and Minnesota during the Great Depression. After graduating from the University of Minnesota, he served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Following military service, he continued his education, earning a Masters at the University of Maine, Orono, and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. In 1964, he was successfully transplanted to New Hampshire. He is Professor Emeritus of Forestry and Wildlife at the University of New Hampshire, Durham. His retirement has consisted of fishing, hunting and growing Christmas trees on his 72-acre, permanently-conserved property in Madbury, New Hampshire. To the surprise of all who know him, he wrote his first poem at the age of 74 and hasn't stopped since.