Conduct outreach to and coordinate with teachers, district staff, farmers, and partner organizations to build strong relationships, understand regional food security challenges, and develop projects in line with seasonal demands and academic calendars; Revitalized two gardens that provide fresh produce to the District’s student food pantry and hands-on learning opportunities - Identified site needs, tracked budgets, led material acquisition, coordinated volunteer work days, collaborated with partners and businesses to fundraise and attract in-kind donations, successfully conducted media outreach to grow awareness of the initiative; Recruited, provide training to, regularly communicate with, and guide activities with ongoing support to three summer volunteers and one paid instructor to assist with all aspects of seasonal growing and youth activities across three sites;Responsible for researching and applying for new funding sources as well as tracking expenditures, meeting grant objectives, and producing reports and other deliverables to funders at the local and state level; Regularly engage with the public and forge new partnerships by participating in regional food justice planning groups & conferences, answering press requests, presenting to government entities and to the greater school community.

A green floral design business supporting local farms, Adirondack communities, and the environment every step of the way. Bell’s Flowers began as a side project in the heart of Brooklyn in 2012 with floral arrangements and landscape design services. Our gardens and client list has now been growing in far upstate New York since 2020. Owner, designer, and gardener, Emily-Bell combines her expertise in fine arts, horticulture, public service, and environmental science to deliver one-of-a-kind designs reflecting a love of nature and the joy of flowers. Serving special events of all sizes as well as customized, hands-on workshops, Bell's Flowers ensures that our business carries out environmentally friendly best practices. How? By taking the extra time and effort to source seasonal, locally grown flowers from our own gardens and area farms (as much as Adirondack weather permits); composting every stem; avoiding harsh chemicals, paints, and fertilizers; and never, ever using floral foam or single use plastics.

Responsible for planning, promoting, and implementing all activities related to growing the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program’s (APIPP) limited outreach efforts into an expanded education and citizen science program to build community level natural resource management skills and expand data collection to the landscape scale. In FY ‘21, hosted 20 events for 1022 people; Led a team of three to design and carry out a pilot citizen science initiative tracking Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in target watersheds utilizing user-friendly GIS tools. In FY ‘21, over 300 individuals attended a two-part training, resulting in over 100 field surveys;Cultivated new and strengthen existing relationships with partner organizations to develop new educational and volunteer opportunities, align program schedules, and leverage resources to increase conservation capacity region-wide; Oversaw the planning, production (including all aspects of graphic design), promotion, and distribution of new public education and outreach posters, brochures, and field guides to communicate best practices in invasive species spread prevention. Worked diligently to ensure that final products appealed to diverse audiences visiting the Adirondack Park by advocating for multicultural representation in all photos and illustrations, reserving funding for translation services, and spearheading the active removal of xenophobic, offensive, or militaristic language commonly used in traditional invasive species management circles;Regularly drafted press releases on program news and upcoming events, landing press coverage in 26 unique stories in my tenure.

Developed new and strengthened existing relationships with state, federal, and tribal entities, neighboring SWCDs, OSU Extension, and municipalities to carry out conservation projects, develop grant proposals, connect to stakeholders, and offer public education promoting best management practices;With the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, implemented a Coho habitat enhancement project in the Siletz River watershed - communicated with landowners, managed budgets and materials, hired and coordinated contractors in the field, coordinated acquiring salvage logs from private properties, sourced and oversaw a crew planting riparian trees following LWD placement, carried out pre/post photo-point monitoring for grant reporting purposes;Led the Natural Resources Working Group within the Midcoast Water Planning Partnership examining water use and identifying current and future resource challenges - facilitated stakeholders to establish working group goals, reach consensus in discussion, draft deliverables, meet deadlines, host site tours, and present findings at general meetings;Designed and implemented a summer youth employment program with the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians to explore landscape architecture careers - coordinated site tours, led trainings, and guided youth to generate proposals for a native plant garden at tribal headquarters in Siletz, Oregon;Cultivated a partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife to conduct ongoing Oregon silverspot butterfly habitat establishment, maintenance, and monitoring on private property along the pollinator’s migration corridor;Led business operations including but not limited to: annual budget development and tracking; quarterly and annual report writing for the Oregon Department of Agriculture; monthly progress reports for board meetings; overseeing six full and part-time staff; drafting MOUs; coordinated the District’s annual native plant sale and fundraiser; maintained website and social media.

Over the course of two field seasons, responsible for training and managing 18 interns to accurately ID over 50 plant species, monitor aquatic and terrestrial habitat using multiple protocols, map restoration sites using GIS, compile and analyze accurate data, and create written reports to communicate management suggestions to organizational partners and private land owners.Trained interns in multiple protocols; employed flexibility and problem-solving skills to adapt monitoring goals with logistical challenges; delegated responsibility among interns to efficiently complete data collection on schedule.Facilitated weekly meetings to keep team members on track with deliverable deadlines; developed work plans to define responsibilities, deadlines, and project goals; acted as lead editor for written reports; closely reviewed data to ensure accuracy/consistency; diffused interpersonal conflicts between employees; delivered detailed performance reviews.Managed crews in noxious weed removal along riparian zones using hand tools, row covers, weed eaters, and electric mowers in a coordinated, tactical manner to optimize effectiveness and time in the field.Coordinated multiple partners from the University of Oregon, local watershed councils, and private owners to develop collaborative restoration goals, adaptive management strategies, and accommodate changing site conditions.Responsible for editing web copy, written reports, and grant applications, which helped secure a $10,000 grant from the Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) to rehabilitate an additional three acres of McKenzie River tributaries on private ranchland.

Developed lesson plans, facilitated discussions, maintained communications, graded/tracked assignments for three lab sections per term for the following courses: ENVS 410: Soil Science; ENVS 467/567: Sustainable Agriculture; ENVS 202: Intro to Environmental Studies, Natural Sciences; ENVS 201: Intro to Environmental Studies, Social Sciences.

Traveled to dozens of sites across 3,000 acres of conserved wetland prairie and oak savannah tracking rare, native plant populations to collect/preserve seed material for the purposes of genetic conservation, propagation, and use in restoration and habitat establishment work throughout the Willamette Valley Seed Partnership’s regional territory. Utilizing point-intercept methods, conducted five- and ten-year post-project vegetative monitoring across multiple sites to measure restoration success. Extensive field monitoring required: wide-ranging botanical knowledge to identify 350 native/invasive species; an ability to read maps, collect GIS information, and record/transcribe accurate field data.Coordinated with City Ecologist, coworkers, and community partners to schedule seed collection rotations, invasive species removal work, GIS mapping, site monitoring, and rare plant scouting efficiently and effectively in all types of weather.

Organized and coordinated small and large-scale volunteer projects and greening activities for over 40 regular community volunteers in a native plant and edible garden in Brooklyn, New York. Provided logistical support, coordinated resources, directed volunteer work, and documented activities to post on organization’s social media. Responsible for general garden maintenance including: tending street tree beds, street-side planters, a three-bin compost system, multiple large-scale raised beds of edible crops, native perennial beds, hoop-house propagation, weeding, mulching, watering, and infrastructure construction. Maintained Roger That’s extensive social media presence through Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Kickstarter, and Instagram as well as our primary website and Google Group-based email communications. Promoted membership through face to face as well as online outreach to neighbors, small businesses, non-profits, and government officials.

Created/delivered creative STEM curricula, coordinated dune stewardship activities, organized field trips, and provided program logistics for two youth leadership programs focusing on urban ecology, climate resiliency, environmental justice, and professional skill development in Far Rockaway, Queens, New York. Developed RISE’s first research science mentorship program, EnvironMentor: pioneered successful relationships with local environmental researchers; paired students with professionals to gain experience in field research throughout Jamaica Bay, Gateway National Park; managed student-mentor schedules and milestones; conducted site visits to evaluate progress/success/challenges; created curricula to fill students’ knowledge gaps; tracked, analyzed, and reported progress to supervisor and funders. Planned, implemented, and carried out a dune enhancement planting project on a 50-acre state-owned property: sourced appropriate native species from area nurseries; trained students and volunteers to carry out site prep, planting, mulching, watering and ongoing maintenance for over 400 trees, shrubs, forbs, and grasses. Coordinated and executed community outreach events in the form of free tree giveaways, community garden clean-ups, plant tours, beach clean-ups, ocean kayaking trips, bicycle tours, water safety programs, and environmental arts events. With Program Director, identified and coordinated the acquisition and scheduling of all related project supplies and resources in accordance to program budgets.

Propagated algal specimens to be used as an indicator of heavy metal contaminants and eutrophication in Jamaica Bay National Wildlife Area’s salt marsh ecosystems. Plant materials went to support doctoral research of PhD candidate Annesia Lamb at the City University of New York Graduate Center’s Program in Earth and Environmental Sciences. Assisted in all aspects of field work: collecting sea water and Ulva lactuca gametophytes to use in experimental processes; collected H2O, sediment, and algae tissue samples for processing through a Discrete Nutrient Analyzer measuring Nitrogen, Oxygen, and heavy metal content in estuarine ecosystems in Gateway National Park.Responsible for autoclaving and adjusting collected seawater pH; produced nutrient broths and performed appropriate serial dilutions of nutrient media for algae propagation. Maintained sterile lab equipment and glassware using appropriate washing and autoclaving techniques. Kept detailed, accurate data and recorded project progress, tasks, and goals to present at regular lab meetings.

Developed and delivered STEM workshops on soil science, decomposition, and waste reduction for K-12 student groups. Conducted professional development teacher training to incorporate organics recycling topics into STEM education goals.Managed the information and needs of 225 trained Master Composter volunteers by providing comprehensive training, connecting to community service opportunities, tracking service hours, offering technical assistance, and organizing regular recognition events.Maintained communication with, accommodated the needs of, and provided technical assistance to 70 community compost sites across Brooklyn located within community gardens, schools, non-profit organizations, urban farms, and large public institutions.Developed tours for volunteers to learn about various types of mid to large-scale organics recycling systems across NYC.In Spring 2013, developed and delivered custom training for teachers, students, support staff, and parents to support NYC’s first municipal-level organic waste recycling pilot in target public schools throughout Brooklyn. Answered the Project's phone and digital helpline, providing accurate advice and technical assistance to the public.Worked with editorial staff to compose over 100 scientific illustrations published in the 2014 NYC Master Composter Manual.

Designed/led workshops on the urban forest’s capacity to improve air quality, manage storm water, and alleviate urban heat islands. Built relationships with community groups and partner organizations engaged in street tree care and storm water management to enhance existing stewardship activities and build capacity for Million Trees NYC by building volunteer numbers. Created educational games, outreach materials, event flyers, tip sheets, and field guides to foster learning and stewardship. Oversaw large volunteer teams during NYC Parks Department led reforestation events in public natural areas city-wide. Compiled monthly statistical reports for the NYC Parks Department on volunteer hours and tree care activities. Utilized tree canopy maps, tax data, and census info to identify potential tree giveaway locations and future street tree plantings.

Focusing on municipal composting's role in NY State's sustainable agriculture system, developed an interactive tour for United Nation’s 2008 Commission on Sustainable Development delegates visiting diverse compost systems on urban farms. Helped design, research, and build the first phase of EcoBiz NYC- a free sustainability audit for small businesses in Community Board 1 of Lower Manhattan. Led hands-on workshops on compost-science and estuary ecology for K-12, university, and adult audiences. Co-Led gardening teams and corporate clean-up days in East River Park (NY, NY).

Responsible for three acres of native annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs. Tasks included watering, weeding, dividing, pruning, mulching, raking, and clearing garbage from garden beds. Led classes on East River ecology, climate change, energy conservation, weatherization, and green architecture to grades 5-12. Researched, wrote, and published Stuyvesant Cove Park’s first botanical guide for their 200 native species collection.