Board Member
I grew up in an Appalachian trail town, but I’ve called the Philadelphia region home for the past eight years. My upbringing in a picturesque area with access to natural wonders and the guidance of my abuelo, who cultivated food and cared for animals, provided solace during difficult times, including living in an abusive household. These experiences instilled in me the profound role of nature in preserving both physical and mental health. Whether working or recreating, time spent in nature was a sanctuary for me.
While I had a strong connection with the environment, it wasn’t until my sophomore year in college that I considered the conservation sector through court-mandated community service. My landscaping skills, nurtured by my abuelo, took on new meaning when I realized their potential to enhance ecological and recreational value. Suddenly I was responsible for all ecological landscaping at my alma mater’s nature preserve. I swiftly changed my major, delving into the realms of ecology and anthropology. Despite initially feeling jaded about humanity’s impact on the planet, I soon recognized that without human collaboration, our battle for the planet was futile. A transformative summer spent working in wilderness altered my perspective on life, emphasizing the importance of regular, accessible, and safe access to nature. I’ve still never felt such wellness as I did that summer, and everyone deserves that.
This ideological shift led me to a new position focusing on improving urban communities’ access to nature. I became enamored with the idea of harnessing human care to benefit the environment. I’ve since dedicated my life to facilitating public space equity through nature-based programming, designing, developing, and stewarding open spaces in Camden, New Jersey. My work ensures that communities have resources and opportunities for public space stewardship and activation, fostering collective impact for a better shared humanity and planet.