I have been privileged to work at the nexus of conservation, education, communications, human health, and biodiversity conservation in Houston and Texas for over 25 years I find joy in service to both human and wild communities
The foundation of this work is my ability to build and cultivate partnerships and networks for strategic planning, funding, science, and on-the-ground projects. I practice collaborative leadership - connecting nonprofit, private, governmental, and community stakeholders to achieve real world change.
I welcome change and innovation, and my work has evolved accordingly during my career. Now more than ever, I am able to see how our socioeconomic and ecological systems intersect. Those intersections invite a new, integrative approach to work across systems that have historically been siloed ideologically and practically The One Health model outlined below is an example of the type of framework I embrace in order to facilitate collective understanding, vision, and action.
I bring award-winning skills in high impact communications, donor cultivation and stewardship, cutting edge science, authentic community engagement, and partner relationships I serve as a thought leader with charitable foundations, conservation groups, health-oriented groups, the children in nature movement, and others This career snapshot illustrates the multi-faceted nature of my work in service to community Thank you for joining me on this journey!
The 21st Century is a time of great opportunities but also a time of significant challenges The intersected crises of climate disruption, human equity, and biodiversity loss threaten to put billions of people at risk and diminish wild species and places across the globe - from our cities to our most remote wilderness areas.
What's needed is a comprehensive framing that can authentically hold space for conservation, environmental justice, equity, Indigenous knowledge and worldviews, and public health and well-being.
I am confident that the One Health and Well-being framework can be a part of that solution That's why all the projects I work on are operationalized through a One Health lens, simultaneously benefiting people and wildlife
Co-leading cutting edge work for One Health planning, policy, products, and projects in Harris County, Texas and beyond Training & Experience
Professional Cerificate, Understanding and Operationalizing One Health, University of AlaskaFairbanks
Video Interview
Full Time
Community & Equitable Conservation Programs Director, The Nature Conservancy in Texas, 2023Present
Houston Healthy Cities Director, The Nature Conservancy in Texas, 2018-April 2023
Community Conservation Director, Coastal Prairie Conservancy, 2006-2018
Education Manager, Kids Environmental Education Project (KEEP), 2005
Staff Naturalist & Conservation Lead, Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, 1998-2005
Educational Intern, Nature Heritage Society, 1998
Volunteer & Contract
Board Chair, North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), Board member, 2018-Present
Texas Master Naturalist Instructor, Texas A&M Agrilife, 2000-Present
Community Fellow, Rice University Center for Environmental Studies , 2022-Present
City Cast Houston Contributor, Slate Magazine, 2021-2022
Co-Founder & President/Vice President, Coastal Prairie Partnership, 2009-2021
Instructor, University of Houston College of Education, 2008-2011
Practical, collaborative leadership is critical to expanding and catalyzing conservation action. I firmly believe in the servant leadership model and view leadership as a solemn responsibility to my partners.
I have been in leadership roles for two decades. I have co-designed and delivered 12 conferences on prairies, One Health, urban conservation, and other topics. I have served on the boards of the Coastal Prairie Partnership, North American Association for Environmental Education, Citizen's Environmental Coalition, and as an advisory board member for numerous institutions, including Texas Parks & Wildlife and Hermann Park Conservancy.
I have also built and co-led many multi-partner coalitions for conservation, environmental education, communications, strategic planning, and more. I am also a sought-after thought partner by conservation leaders, foundations, governmental agencies, and other nonprofits in areas of expertise including prairie restoration, youth engagement, park equity, communications, climate resilience, and equity/diversity in conservation.
Texas A&M Forestry Service Leadership Institute, Texas A&M University, 2022
Founder and President/Vice President, Coastal Prairie Partnership, 2009-2020
Chair/Vice Chair of the Board, North American Association for Environmental Education, 2022Present
Regional Leader, Texas Children in Nature Network
Houston Visionary, Center for Houston’s Future, 2022
Prairie Champions Award, Coastal Prairie Conservancy, 2021
Wild Partner Award, Houston Wilderness, 2015
Grassroots Leader Award, Texas Children in Nature Network, 2015
Schoolyard Restoration
I I have spent 26 years restoring prairies, forests, and wetlands for the benefit of both people and rapidly diminishing wildlife - often in highly public spaces. This work has been on both large, rural preserve systems and in urban spaces. I have been a critical figure in the urban prairie movement in Houston and Texasbringing better climate resilience, wildlife habitat, and human health to communities throughout southeast Texas.
In addition to ecological restoration, I have coled community conservation efforts to document wildlife species and rebuild habitat These experiences include seven years as a regional coordinator for the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program (NAAMP), six years as the co-regional leader for the City Nature Challenge, and many Christmas Bird Counts
B.S. Biology
Graduate and continuing education courses in ecology and ecological restoration
Extensive experience in prairie restoration & education
Participated in the Future of Conservation initiative and the Central Grasslands Roadmap initiative
Co-Chair - 2017 America’s Grasslands Conference
Convener - 2019 North America Prairies Conference
School Pocket Prairie Story
University Prairie Story
TPWD Video on Pocket Prairies
Conservation Acheivement Award, TNC-TX, 2019
Distinguished Alumni Award, Univerity of Houston
College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics, 2019
Catalyst Award, Houston Tomorrow, 2015
Alban Heiser Award, Houston Zoo, 2011
Army & Sarah Emmott Conservation Award, 2009
climate, and thriving wildlife, communities are left vulnerable to climate change disasters, increased risks of debilitating diseases, and financial burdens they didn't ask for or deserve. Without equitable access to nature herself, communities cannot enjoy the mental, physical, cultural, and spiritual benefits that are rightfully theirs. Lastly, without the conservation movement authentically leaning into the challenges of all communities - including cities - its future sustainability is in great jeopardy.
More than ever, we need to ensure that our movement is diverse and inclusive to all our neighbors. That is why I devote so much time, mental energy, and effort to this work. It also reflects my experiences around the challenges I've encountered as someone who has lived in 'nature deprived,' under-resourced neighborhoods and as a Latino conservationist. In short, this is important to me both professionally and personally.
2019
Writing Team, Texas Children in Nature and Houston Cities Connecting Children to Nature Plans
Founding Member, Inaugural Great Plains Division
DEIJ Team, The Nature Conservancy
Founding Member, Inaugural Nature for All Team, The Nature Conservancy in Texas Team Member, TNC Cities Network
Team Member, Asset Based Framing Communications Team, The Nature Conservancy
Lived experience growing up in what are called 'Nature Deprived Neighborhoods' 1st bilingual naturalist, Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Served on numerous DEI/DEIJ in conservation panels at conferences and summits
Serving as a mentor to other conservationists of color
Community Conservation Action
program for 24 years - teaching various courses on prairie systems, communications, inclusive conservation, storytelling, and amphibian conservation.
I serve as the board chair for the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) - the nonprofit responsible for setting the standards for the field of environmental education. Lastly, I have been a critical figure in the local environmental education sector in the Houston-Galveston Region for two decades and co-created hereinhouston.org - the first-ever regional environmental education resource hub.
Texas Trailblazer Feature Lecture on Communications
Recognition
Nature Everyday Article 'Texas Trailblazer' Profile, Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine, 2021 Innovation Award, Texas Forestry Association, 2019
Honorary Member, Garden Club of Houston, 2019
Elizabeth Hull Abernathy Award, Garden Club of Houston, 2011
Youth Climate Podcast
The climate crisis is supercharging chronic issues like biodiversity loss, financial inequity, public health, safety challenges, and political dysfunction Nature can be a big part of the solution for making our communities, both human and wild, safer, more resilient, and healthier during our age of disruption
I take a One Health approach to my climate adaptation, science, community activation, and planning work - integrating nature-based solutions that simultaneously protect people and enhance wildlife habitats I have led prominent climate adaptation projects in schoolyards, parks, preserves, and nature centers I have also co-led cutting-edge design processes for nature-rich bus stops and shading systems Much of this work is about mitigating extreme heat and urban heat island effects In 2020, I co-led the United States’ most extensive community science heat mapping campaign Those findings are used in decisionmaking, planning, funding, and public awareness campaigns by universities, think tanks, community groups, and governments
TNC Disaster Resilience Academy
Certificate in Climate & Health, Yale School of Public Health
Online courses in nature-based soutions for climate change
Co-produced the 'Greener Gulfton' plan and initiative - body of work deeply informed by the climate crisis
Founding Member, Houston/Harris Heat Action Team (H3AT)
Team Member, Houston Climate Action Plan and Houston Resiliency Strategy
Forecasting Change TV Special Mapping Houston’s Hot Neighborhoods
2020 Heat Watch Article
2022 Houston Visionary, Center for Houston's Future, 2022
Urban Heat Mapping
The climate crisis is supercharging chronic issues like biodiversity loss, financial inequity, public health, safety challenges, and political dysfunction Nature can be a big part of the solution for making our communities, both human and wild, safer, more resilient, and healthier during our age of disruption
I take a One Health approach to my climate adaptation, science, community activation, and planning work - integrating nature-based solutions that simultaneously protect people and enhance wildlife habitats I have led prominent climate adaptation projects in schoolyards, parks, preserves, and nature centers I have also co-led cutting-edge design processes for nature-rich bus stops and shading systems Much of this work is about mitigating extreme heat and urban heat island effects In 2020, I co-led the United States’ most extensive community science heat mapping campaign Those findings are used in decisionmaking, planning, funding, and public awareness campaigns by universities, think tanks, community groups, and governments
Training & Experience
Memorial Prk
BB Park
Hermann Park
Pasadena Parks
Houston Arboretum
Biodiversity equity
Media & Stories
Forecasting Change TV Special Mapping Houston’s Hot Neighborhoods
2020 Heat Watch Article
2022 Houston Visionary, Center for Houston's Future, 2022
Urban Heat MappingConference Keynote
various presentations to audiences across HoustonGalveston, Texas, and the nation
My communications journey has spanned local, state, and national media I have authored articles and editorials, have participated in many TV and radio interviews, and have been a professional podcast contributor The value of my earned media contributions is $10+ million
I have also delivered numerous keynote talks, most recently at the 2023 Austin Climate & Sustainability Summit, the 2023 International One Health Conference, the 2022 Texas Master Naturalist State Meeting, the 2021 International Urban Wildlife Conference, the 2022 National Storytellers Conference, 2022 and 2021 NAAEE Conferences, and numerous fundraisers. I have also interviewed such noted thinkers as Robin Wall Kimmerer, and Dr. Rae-Wyn Grant. I am a sought-after emcee for film screenings/festivals, award dinners, and public, nonprofit fundraising events.
Nicholas School for the Environment, Duke University, 2017
Expert Certificates in Environmental Education, Civic Ecology Lab, Duke University Certified Interpretive Guide, NAI
Eddie Award, Folio: - A national communications award, 2019
Elizabeth Hull Abernathy Award, Garden Club of Houston, 2011
gag g e pub c co u y sc e ce a d conservation has many benefits. It can assist scientists in generating larger data sets while boosting enthusiasm for science, climate action, wildlife conservation, and other topics. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, it empowers community members with opportunities to collect and own the data. It's a tangible act of inclusive conservation.
Throughout my career, I have dedicated myself to fostering community science and conservation opportunities for the people I serve. I have trained and engaged hundreds of community scientists to collect observations on the urban heat island effect, wildlife (amphibians, monarch butterflies, and birds), and water quality. I have also worked with hundreds of individuals and dozens of groups on habitat restoration. Lastly, I was a co-inventor of the Nine Natives concept to increase homebased biodiversity. Nine Natives has since been adapted and is in use across Texas.
Regional Coordinator, North American Amphibian Monitoring Program, USGS, 20012008
Houston/Galveston Regional Co-Coordinator, City Nature Challenge, 2017-2023
Co-Organizer, Houston/Harris County Heat Watch Campaign, 2020
Mapping Houston’s Hot Neighborhoods Amphibian Monitoring Training
City Nature Challenge TV Story
Nancy Benedict Memorial Award, Native Plant Society of Texas, 2018
Community Science Event
