Coordinates Anacostia River Explorers boat tours and Clean Waterways trash cleanups.

Developed and created social media content and communication strategies for the Global Environmental Policy and Natural Resources and Sustainable Development Graduate Programs. Collaborated with students to share experiences, perspectives, and accomplishments on social media.

Worked with farmers in rural Monteverde, Costa Rica to understand different sustainable agriculture practices and how these practices impact the soil's ability to sequester carbon. Developed a collaborative environment where farmers shared practices, challenges, and information with each other. Shared findings at the regional and national scale.

Developed a database for the National Institute of Standards and Technology's ASAPS city simulation to advance national public safety. Developed the biennial progress report of the National Emergency Communications Plan.

Payments for Environmental Services (PES) has been heralded as a tool that can increase the value of conserved areas, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation, water purification, scenic beauty, and myriad other conservation goals through market efficiency. PES has been praised by conservation groups and governments alike for its ability to link social, environmental, and economic goals. This research explores the effectiveness of PES in Costa Rica in terms of program design, intentions, and implementation. We combine results from interviews with local conservation actors, a qualitative analysis of Costa Rican legal documents, and an economic analysis of program costs and funding. We then analyze the efficiency and efficacy of the program by comparing PES to different conservation alternatives such as the United Nations’ REDD+ program, Integrated Conservation Development Programs, and protected area conservation. We found that a tension exists between conservation and sustainable development goals that has ultimately benefited the local conservation elite at a detriment to the smallholders the program purportedly benefits. Furthermore, this tension indicates that PES is not able to meet all of its program objectives. We claim that the elite status of conservation groups within local governance, as well as a path dependent adherence to market-based conservation mechanisms that fit within a neoliberal framework, has perpetuated inequalities within the country and promoted PES at the expense of alternative, perhaps more equitable, programs.

Conducted mixed methods research payments for environmental services (PES), a Costa Rican environmental program that promotes environmental protection and sustainable development. Analyzed legal documents, conservation institutions, and international agreements in order to understand the relationship between the program's goals and its implementation.

Wrote applications for funding grants as well as developed both educational and community-based presentations. Planned events and created social media graphics. Worked to advocate and educate the public on the necessity of clean waterways. Adopt-a-stream certified.

Served as the Communications and Outreach Fellow for the David E. Shi Center for Sustainability at Furman University. I wrote weekly newsletters, ran the campus rental bike program, and monitored the Shi Center's social media presence.