2024 Presenter Bios

Chuck Foster Jr.
Keynote Speaker

Springs Today. Springs Tomorrow?

Executive Director & Chief Water Policy Officer at The Meadows Center for Water
Environment, Professor of Practice in the Department of Geography & Environmental Studies at Texas State University

Chuck Foster is a passionate change maker who believes in the power of young
people to shape the future, starting with their communities. Born and raised in East
Austin, Texas, Chuck’s roots run deep in community, nature, and service. His mission?
To help youth discover their voice, believe in themselves, and become bold leaders
who aren’t afraid to make a difference.

With a degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Texas State University, Chuck has
worked in city planning across Central Texas and now leads impactful projects with
the Austin Parks Foundation. As a landscaper who specializes in native plants, he
brings the beauty of the outdoors to life, while reminding us all to protect it.

Chuck’s leadership doesn’t stop at his job. He serves on multiple community boards,
including as President of the Capital Area Master Naturalists and a board member of
the Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy. He’s also a former chair of the Austin PBS
Community Advisory Board.

For over a decade, Chuck has adopted and cared for Springwoods Park in Northwest
Austin, and he mentors middle school boys at Deer Park Middle School, because he
knows real change starts with showing up.

At his core, Chuck is a fierce advocate for people, especially those who often go
unheard. Whether it's a neighbor, a student, or a stray animal, if someone needs help,
he’s there.

Chuck brings energy, heart, and real-world experience to every room he steps into.

Andrea Bailey-Ortiz, Development Coordinator, Austin Youth River Watch

After being an AEL intern and graduating from The University of Texas at Austin, where I pursued a major in Urban Studies and a minor in Architectural History, I continued my career with Austin Youth River Watch as a Program Specialist. After 3 years, I continue to be part of the organization as a Development Coordinator while I actively pursue a Master of Architecture at UT. My personal goal is to merge these two worlds and approach the architecture field with a holistic perspective and a conscientious philosophy that allows me to consider social, economic, and environmental impacts.

Brent Bellinger, Ph.D., Aquatic Ecologist, Austin Watershed Protection Department

Brent Bellinger is an aquatic ecologist. He studies and monitors ecosystem conditions and linkages as influenced by anthropogenic activities. The goal of his research is to provide managers with enough understanding of what is driving conditions to make informed decisions that will enhance ecosystem services being provided by the aquatic environment.

Nathan Bendik, Watershed Protection Department

Nathan Bendik works for the City of Austin, Texas on monitoring and conservation of the City’s three endemic Eurycea salamanders. Originally from Pennsylvania, he completed his B.S. in Biology at the Pennsylvania State University (2002) and then received an M.S. in Biology at the University of Texas at Arlington (2006). His primary research interests include ecology, natural history, and evolution of central Texas spring and cave salamanders.

Scott Blackburn, Owner, New Garden Road

Scott is a gardening educator and YouTube content creator motivated by a passion for ecological stewardship, saving soil, and urban habitat restoration. He has been learning from the poor soil and extreme weather of Central Texas in his garden since 2007. Through his business, New Garden Road, he offers consultation services focused on edible garden site analysis, planting design, and adaptive strategies.

Marisa Bruno, Water Program Manager, Hill Country Alliance

In her role as Water Program Manager at the Hill Country Alliance, Marisa works with local Hill Country partners, including grassroots advocates and elected officials, to promote policies and projects that advance water supply resilience and protect groundwater and surface water flows. She got her start in Texas water as a program strategist for the Texas Water Foundation. She currently serves as an alternate for the Water Conservation Advisory Council and Region L Regional Water Planning Group. Marisa received her Master of Environmental Management from the Yale School of the Environment, where she specialized in water resource management and policy. Her graduate research focused on Texas groundwater management and community water planning.

Lee Burton, Executive Director, Save Barton Creek Association

Lee Burton is the executive director for SBCA and teaches animal behavior courses at Texas A&M, University of Florida, and the University of Idaho. He was the former director and program manager for Conservation Centers for Species Survival, and is a Master Naturalist and certified in Wildlife Track and Sign by Cybertracker North America. He is also a Bird Language Leaders Instructor having mentored under Jon Young.

Justin Camp, Hydrogeologist Technician at Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District

Born and raised in Austin, Justin grew up exploring local Little Bear and Bear Creek in his own backyard. With a deep connection to the Central Texas landscape, he developed a passion for enjoying, studying, and protecting the region’s critical natural resources. Justin joined the District team in 2015 after graduating from Texas State University with a B.S. in Physical Geography, minor in Geology, and working for seven years with the City of Austin’s Watershed Protection Department. He is an avid caver, exploring and mapping the underground in Texas and Mexico. When he’s not in the water or caving, Justin also enjoys playing guitar and tennis.

Valarie Campbell, Founder and President of South Austin Creek Alliance

Valarie’s journey started as an only child, exploring the forest behind her house when she was little. Moving to a house with Williamson Creek in the backyard some decades later, the love of exploring and being immersed in nature continues. It was during Covid that daily excursions to the creek ignited a passion to help protect that small, relatively unknown section of Williamson Creek. With decades of volunteering and working in conservation, Valarie works to bring awareness about the importance of our often neglected urban waterways in South Austin. Thanks to shared ideals, South Austin Creek Alliance became a reality with board members and volunteers across south Austin helping to preserve our green spaces.

Fidel Campuzano, Co-Executive Director, Austin Youth River Watch

Fidel was a river watcher from the fall of 2010 until he graduated from Reagan High School (now Northeast H.S.) in May 2013. He worked as an AYRW program intern for two summers and also served on the Board of Directors while attending the Business School at The University of Texas at Austin. Prior to his role as Co-Executive Director at AYRW, he was very active with the immigrant community in Austin. He helped organize DACA clinics and worked at an immigration law firm as the Firm Administrator for seven years. He is thrilled to be able to give back to an organization that really did transform his life and support the youth they serve.

DeeAnn Chamberlain, Environmental Scientist Senior at City of Austin

Dee Ann Chamberlain is a biologist on the Salamander Conservation Team in the City of Austin’s Watershed Protection Department. She’s been managing the assurance colony for the endangered Barton Springs Salamander for over 25 years. She was instrumental in the discovery of the Austin Blind Salamander as a species new to science in 2001, which was also federally listed as endangered and included in the assurance colony. Dee Ann has a diverse background with degrees in Zoology (favorite!), English, and Education from the University of Texas at Austin and enjoys working on the conservation of endangered species.

Justin Crow, Fish Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 2 San Marcos Aquatic Resource Center

Justin has experience in marine and freshwater biology and aquaculture systems. His work includes captive prorogation and husbandry of several federally listed amphibian and fish species. Justin’s research focuses on the environmental factors that affect aquatic animal physiology.

Ed Crowell, Author at Texas A&M University Press and Freelancer for Texas Co-op Power Magazine

Ed Crowell is a former journalist who is currently a board member at Save Barton Creek Association and author at Texas A&M University Press. Ed Crowell moved to Austin in 1977 and lived a short distance above Barton Springs where he frequently swam with his family. He worked as an editor at the Austin American-Statesman in charge of the city, state and features desks. Texas A&M University Press published his book “Barton Creek” in 2019. He spent more than two years researching the creek’s natural and political history and interviewing scientists, conservation land protectors and property owners along the 50 miles of creek. The book discusses continuing development threats upstream of Barton Springs that could endanger the health of the creek and its 109-square-mile watershed.

Sarah Donelson, Environmental Scientist at City of Austin

Sarah Donelson is an Environmental Scientist that works for the Watershed Protection Department’s Salamander Conservation Team. Sarah received her B.S. in Environmental Sciences with a concentration in Water Resources from the University of Vermont. Sarah loves working in her hometown on the conservation of threatened and endangered salamander species.

Sarah Faust, Environmental Attorney

Sarah is a water and environmental law attorney and consultant working in Austin for twenty years. She is passionate about facilitating innovative solutions to clean, safe, and resilient water systems for people and the environment. Her work encompasses safe drinking water, wastewater and stormwater treatment, water supply, water reuse and conservation, endangered species habitat, land use, and aquifer management. As a community volunteer she has served on Austin's Water and Wastewater Commission, Austin's Parks Board, and is currently working on Austin's 100 year water supply plan as a member of the Austin's Integrated Water Resource Community Planning Task Force.

Jesus Garcia, The Herbal Action Project

Jesus is a global holistic garden designer who creates educational healing spaces from the land with traditional rootwork teachings from his Mexican heritage. He is a traditional earth-worker with studies on elemental and spiritual herbalism, children’s garden design, and food forestry design. He is a Certified Herb-Pharmer, Hays ISD PreK /Kindergarten Educator, Garden & Botanical Teacher, Minister & Reiki Educator, and founder of The Herbal Action Project.

Nico Hauwert, Ph.D Texas Professional Hydrogeologist #5171

The Austin Water Balcones Canyonland's Preserve is 14,000 acres of preserve to protect forest and cave ecosystems and our water supply. Nico's Austin-area studies since 1990 included conducting the first direct groundwater tracing to discover groundwater flow across the aquifer occurs within days instead of years, the first detection of widespread groundwater contamination in the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer in 1994, and most precise measurement of recharge over the Edwards Aquifer in the Austin area using a climate tower coupled with other methods of verification. He has been involved with restoring filled caves that are widespread across the Austin area, mapping their extent, and tracing their water sources since 1979. The restored caves can serve as preserves for wildlife and can present opportunities for the public to experience their natural heritage.

Lindsey Holmes, Outreach Coordinator at Save Our Springs Alliance

Lindsey Holmes grew up in Houston, Texas and received her Masters in English from UT Austin in 2021. As a teacher, Holmes has a passion for the environmental humanities and public education, both in and out of the classroom. As an avid open water swimmer, trail runner and mom, Holmes enjoys connecting with fellow community members over issues affecting the unique landscape of central Texas.

Delilah Knuckley, Bibliographia Projects Founder

Founder of Bibliographia Projects and a renowned artist and educator with a deep commitment to community engagement and environmental advocacy. With expertise in printmaking and a passion for fostering creativity in young minds, Delilah leads impactful workshops that connect art with culture and nature. Her work, including projects focused on local landmarks like Barton Springs, empowers students to explore artistic expression while raising awareness about themes in activism such as social justice, human rights, and environmental conservation.

Bobby Levinski, Save Our Springs Alliance Attorney

Bobby Levinski, a graduate of The University of Texas School of Law, is an environmental and land use attorney working for the Save Our Springs Alliance. Specializing in both litigation and policy work, Bobby is committed to environmental protection, particularly in the realms of land conservation, development regulation, and water quality preservation. His legal expertise spans a variety of areas, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA), and zoning-based litigation. He is serving as the local counsel challenging TxDOT’s proposed expansion of I-35 and is actively fighting several other road expansion projects across the region.

Beyond the courtroom, Bobby is an active advocate for sustainable development practices in Travis and Hays Counties. In his free time, he enjoys exploring local green spaces with his four dogs and is currently on a year-long mission to visit every public park in Hays County.

Lee Mackenzie, Co-Founder Austin Bat Refuge

As a carpenter, then a nationally-acclaimed design build remodeler, Lee has been humanely dealing with a variety of small mammals in structures his whole career. A wildlife worker for over 20 years, now Co-founder of Austin Bat Refuge, he creatively combines rehabilitation and permaculture, providing the highest possible quality of life in their “bat gardens”, an Austin Bat Refuge original concept and the first of its kind.

Joel Manzo, Landscape Technician, Austin Watershed Protection

Born and Raised in Austin, TX, Joel has been swimming at Barton Springs Pool for as long as he can remember. As a lifeguard at Barton Springs Pool from 2015 to 2019, he's very familiar with the flora, fauna, and history of this crown jewel of Austin. Joel worked in Zilker Park from 2020 to 2024, and currently works as a Landscape Technician for the Austin Watershed Protection Department in the Green Infrastructures Division. He's been working with Save Our Springs Alliance since 2018 as a Snorkel Tour Guide, enjoys playing baseball, riding bikes, and hanging out at Barton Spring Pool!

Cody Masters, Mycologist at Central Texas Mycology

Cody is an avid mycologist, and nature enthusiast that is dedicated to education and making mycology accessible to people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities. A Mycosymbyotics certified Cordyceps grower and extraction artist with over 10 years of mycology experience. He began extracting medicinal compounds from fungi over the last few years and has created his own line of performance enhancing mushroom supplements. He has made it his mycelium mission to spread spores across the earth.

Linda Ruiz McCall, Geologist, Bureau of Economic Geology

Linda Ruiz McCall is a geologist with the Bureau of Economic Geology, the State Geologic Survey of Texas. With extensive experience in government service, private industry, and public education, Linda now leads the Bureau’s statewide initiative to encourage conservation of geoheritage sites through the Texas GeoSign Project

Elizabeth McGreevy, Ecologist & Author

Elizabeth McGreevy is an ecologist, author, permaculture planner, painter, and sixth-generation Texan. With over 20 years of experience, her company, Land Steward, produces site-specific ecosystem management plans for Hill Country landowners. As the author of Wanted! Mountain Cedars, Dead and Alive, Elizabeth teaches that mountain cedar trees (limestone junipers) regenerate and sustain Texas karst country soils, groundwaters, and biodiversity. In 2022, she founded Project Bedrock, now in partnership with The Watershed Association, to continue teaching that mountain cedars are part of the solution, not the problem. She serves as program director, provides presentations and testimonies, and has begun working on a mountain cedar-focused decision support tool for landowners.

Tyson McKinney, Environmental Scientist Sr., Watershed Protection Department

Tyson McKinney is a hydrogeologist that works with the City of Austin Watershed Protection Department on the Geologic Drainage Systems team. Tyson received a B.Sc. in Geology at the University of Texas at Austin and a M.Sc. in Earth Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He grew up in here in Austin and is passionate about understanding and protecting the valuable groundwater resources of Central Texas.

Jason Mercer, R3 Coordinator - Boating & Fishing, Texas Parks and Wildlife

Jason Mercer is an accomplished photographer and videographer with a passion for outdoor activities. Mercer played a key role in organizing kayak fishing tournaments. He has been the R3 Coordinator for Boating and Fishing with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department for the past 2 years and is enjoying the opportunity to create more access & engagement for Texans across the state.
An outdoor enthusiast, Mercer spends much of his free time hiking, camping, kayaking, fishing, and hunting. He is always seeking out new adventures and is passionate about exploring the outdoors.

Jacob Newton, Regulatory Compliance Specialist at Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District

Jacob was born and raised in Austin. Growing up here, he regularly explored Barton Creek Greenbelt and Bull Creek and relaxed at Barton Springs. His love of the outdoors grew from visits to Cedar Creek Lake where his grandfather resided, hikes at Enchanted Rock, and camping trips in Big Bend National Park.
Jacob graduated from University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Geography and minor in Biology. He now resides in Kyle where he and his family rely on groundwater monitored by the District. In his free time, Jacob likes to spend time with his family, bike, hike, and swim.

Bill Oliver, Mr. Habitat

With over twenty years of concerts, campfires, and cafeterias, Bill’s programs are educational and entertaining, engaging and motivating. In schools, National Parks, and river-side celebrations, his songs bring to life the vital issues of Habitat conservation.

Bill and the Otter Space Band have performed at Barton Springs University Day since its inception.

Dianne Odegard, Co-Founder, Austin Bat Refuge

After 12 1/2 years as Education and Public Outreach Manager at Bat Conservation International by day, and bat rehabilitator by night, Dianne has now gone full-time as Co-founder of Austin Bat Refuge. Dianne has been a wildlife rehabilitator since 1990, working with animals that live in close proximity to urban areas and human structures and educating people about ways to live harmoniously with wildlife. She considers bat care to be service work benefiting both bats and humans.

Gary Perez, Chief, Pakahua Peoples of Mexico & Texas

Gary Perez serves as the Principal Chief and cultural preservation officer of the Pakahua peoples of Mexico and for the Indigenous Governor's' Office for the State of Coahuila, Mexico, and Texas. He is a published researcher on the rock art of West Texas. In 2011. Gary cracked the geographical and mathematical codes on the Painting known as the White Shaman Mural. Gary is currently working with NASA on a curriculum based on his research to teach students on the Indigenous Cosmology of North Eastern Mexico and Texas.

Mary K. Priddy, Conservation Program Manager, City of Austin's Office of Sustainability

As the Conservation Program Manager for the City of Austin’s Office of Sustainability, Mary K. Priddy's primary focus is education and outreach to Austin-area schools and businesses. In this capacity, she manages the City’s Bright Green Future Grant Program, which awards K-12 schools with grants for on-campus sustainability projects. Last year saw the program top the $1M mark in grants awarded. She also manages the Austin Green Business Leaders Program, which recognizes businesses for their sustainable actions. She is the Co-Chair of the Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee (ESAC) for the Austin Independent School District.In her spare time, Mary is a stand-up comedian and passionate animal advocate who co-founded DenMar’s Animal Refuge Network (DARN), a non-profit dedicated to helping rural shelters and rescues across Texas.

Lauren Ross, Ph.D., P.E., Glenrose Engineering

Dr. Lauren Ross has 3 degrees in civil engineering and is owner of Glenrose Engineering in Austin, Texas. During 4 decades of environmental work and political activism, Dr. Ross helped to pass the Save Our Springs citizen’s referendum, close a hazardous waste facility in an East Texas African-American community, limit pumping in the San Antonio Edwards to protect spring flows, and bioremediate soils in Post-Katrina New Orleans. She is currently active in a project to challenge racism in Austin.

Angel Schatz, Lead Education, Volunteer, and Communication at Central Texas Mycology

Formally an experience designer and animator in the tech world, she hopes to inspire more people dial into the wood-wide-web. Angel Schatz radiates passion for understanding the ecosystem of central Texas and making mycology education accessible to anyone who shares interest. She is a long-time urban gardener; harmonizing vegetable gardening and mushroom growing, particularly by using recycled mushroom blocks.

Miriam Schoenfield, Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin

Miriam Schoenfield is a Rethink35 volunteer and board member and an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin. She is passionate about freeway fighting, and advocating for safe, sustainable and equitable modes of transportation. Her academic research focuses on probabilistic models of belief revision and in her spare time she enjoys bouldering and spending time in beautiful wild places.

Gail Rothe, Rewilding Project Leader and Environmental Steward

Gail Rothe has led a volunteer rewilding project in Zilker Park for 10 years under an agreement with the Parks department. Her professional background includes almost 20 years at the Texas Commission Environmental Quality, working in the areas of watershed assessment and restoration, surface water quality, habitat protection, coastal restoration, fish tissue contamination, and data quality. She has also worked in multiple cultures and languages in Asia and Latin America and on the U.S.-Mexico border. Her particular area of interest lies at the confluence of environmental stewardship, connection to place, and the inclusion of all voices in decision-making.

Heyden Black Walker, Director of Planning, Black + Motal Architecture and Urban Design

Heyden Black Walker (CNU-A) is Director of Planning for Black + Vernooy Architecture and Urban Design. Together with Sinclair Black, she co-founded Reconnect Austin, a community-based call to lower the main lanes of I-35 through Austin’s urban core. Reconnect Austin envisions a reconnected city fabric which provides multi-modal access to housing, jobs, medical facilities, and transit. With the goal of equity in transportation, increased safety, and access for all, Heyden also serves in leadership roles with the Congress for the New Urbanism - Central Texas, the City of Austin Pedestrian Advisory Council, Cap Metro’s Project Connect, Austin Outside, and Walk Austin. Heyden is a 2016 fellow and mentor for the National Walking College.

Jeff Watson. P.G., Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District, Staff Hydrologist

Jeff is a native Austinite who graduated from University of Texas Austin with a B.S. and M.S. in geological sciences. Jeff is a member of the Austin Geological Society and is a registered professional geologist. He grew up exploring the Texas Hill Country and swimming in iconic spring-fed water holes such as Barton Springs Pool and Jacobs Well Spring. Jeff developed an interest in geology at a young age during annual family outings to Big Bend National Park. Prior to joining the District, he worked in consulting with the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District as a hydrogeologist and with BSEACD as a hydrogeologic intern. Jeff enjoys rock climbing, hiking, camping, and pretty much all things outdoors.

Carson Werner, Resource Center Specialist, Bureau of Economic Geology

Carson Werner holds a degree in Earth Science and enjoys engaging in public outreach. His primary focus is on bridging the gap between people and information, whether it's connecting the general public with scientific resources or facilitating collaboration among scientists.