I enjoy working with partners to implement on-the-ground projects to make communities greener, more resilient, healthier, culturally meaningful, and wildlife-rich. I have collaborated with nonprofit, governmental, and academic partners to rebuild nature throughout Greater Houston and advise on similar projects throughout Texas and the nation.
Key Projects:
Memorial Park Land Bridge and Prairie Project
MD Anderson Prairie
Jefferson Early Learning Center
University Prairies (University of Houston, Rice University, Univ. of St. Thomas)
Over 30 urban grassland projects throughout Greater Houston
Equitable Conservation
I strongly believe that all people, regardless of zip code or social group, deserve the benefits of conservation efforts and nature equity. That is why, throughout my career, I have blazed trails to lead and co-create programs, framings, and planning efforts that center communities and individuals who are underrepresented in this work.
Key Work
First bilingual naturalist at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Inaugural Community & Equitable Conservation Director at The Nature Conservancy in Texas
Co-Regional Lead for the Houston-Galveston City Nature Challenge Team
Taught thousands of underprivileged students about nature throughout my career
Co-lead first ever Equity in Land Conservation process, TNC-Texas
Co-founder of the Texas Nature for All Team (TNC-Texas) and the Great Plains Division DEIJ Committee (TNC)
Co-developer, Houston Cities Connecting Children to Nature Plan
Writing Team, Houston Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights
Presenter, numerous conference keynote talks and panels on equitable conservation and diversity in the conservation movement
I have always sought opportunities to affect upstream, systemic changes to enable more funding, better policies, and more holistic planning to create greener, healthier places.
Key Work
A Greener Gulfton for Health, Resilience, and Biodiversity
Houston Climate Action Plan
Park Planning Advisement: Memorial Park, Hermann Park, Buffalo Bayou Park, Pasadena Parks, Burnett Bayland Park
Resilient Houston Strategy
UNICEF Children-Friendly Cities
Texas Children in Nature Strategic Plan
America's Grassland Roadmap
ForUsTree Funding for Harris County ($15 million)
Communities are best empowered when they understand data and processes that impact their lives and the lives of wildlife that they share space with. They are even more empowered and inspired when they collect the data themselves. That is why I have been a leader in community science for nearly 25 years.
Key Work
City Nature Challenge Regional, Houston-Galveston Co-Coordinator
2020 Houston Harris Heat Watch Mapping Campaign, Co-Coordinator
North American Amphibian Monitoring Program, Texas Coastal Coordinator
Great Grow Out, Developer, and Coordinator
I have taught tens of thousands of people, from pre-K to post-doctoral students to retirees. In all of these experiences, I have facilitated bidirectional, inquiry-based learning using interactive, hands-on experiences.
Key Work
Delivered dozens of talks and speeches, including numerous conference keynote talks and panels
Taught 10s of thousands of students and adults in person
Delivered over 100 virtual lectures and learning opportunities
Served as a University instructor and delivered lectures to 10 universities