2025 Presenter Bios

Gen Z and the Planet's Future: This Is Your Moment to Lead

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.

Eddy Arias, Bilingual Conservation Program Coordinator for City of Austin, Watershed Protection

(Activity 10 - Macroinvertebrates)
Eddy Arias holds a B.A. in Spanish Language Teaching from the University of Texas at Austin and two teaching certificates from the Texas Education Agency—in Languages Other Than English and Bilingual Education Supplemental. With 11 years of high school teaching experience, he now coordinates the Watershed Detectives program, engaging middle and high school students in environmental conservation, flood education, and water quality sampling.
Eddy is passionate about teaching water conservation, plant identification, and leading hands-on excursions into Whirlpool Cave, where students explore cave formations, wildlife, and the fragile ecosystem of the Edwards Aquifer.

Nathan Bendik, Watershed Protection Department

(Activity 15 - Eliza Springs Amphitheater Tour)
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 the evolution of central Texas spring and cave salamanders.

Jay Banner, Ph.D., Director, UT Environmental Science Institute

(Venue A - 10:30 am, The Resilience of 21st Century Cities)
Jay Banner’s research interests center on climate and hydrologic processes, how these processes are preserved in cave deposits, and how human activity affects the sustainability of water resources. At UT-Austin, he serves as the F. M. Bullard Professor in the Jackson School of Geosciences and directs the Environmental Science Institute. The institute’s community engagement programs include the Hot Science – Cool Talks Series. In his free time, Jay enjoys ultimate Frisbee.

Scott Blackburn, Owner, New Garden Road

(Venue C - Agroecology Makes Ripples)
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.

Kirstin Boyd-Farmer, Westcave Preserve

(Activity 6 - Urban Heat Islands in Action)
Kirstin is a Conservation Ranger at Westcave Preserve, gaining hands-on experience with geospatial field techniques, sustainable land management practices and native flora and fauna identification. In addition to her role at Westcave, she is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Geography at Texas State University and recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Geography Resources & Environmental Studies. Her research interests include looking at urban heat mitigation and the sustainability of urban landscapes through a critical geographic lens.

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

(Activity 9 - Testing Water Conductivity)
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

(Venue B - Trash Talk: An Easy Guide to Protecting Your Neighborhood Creeks)
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.

Dee Ann Chamberlain, Environmental Scientist Senior at City of Austin

(Activity 7 - Live Salamanders)
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.

Erica Castillo, Programs Director at the Colorado River Alliance

(Activity 12 - Aquifer in Action)
Programs Director at the Colorado River Alliance, Erica leads the development and management of education, outreach, and engagement programs that connect communities with the vital importance of the Texas Colorado River.

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

(Activity 7 - Live Salamanders)
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

(Venue C - Where Did All the Water in Barton Creek Go?)
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.

Dawn Davies, Night Sky Program Manager for the Hill Country Alliance

(Activity 4 - Night Sky Innovation Lab)
Dawn Davies is an amateur astronomer, informal space science educator, and dark sky defender. Through her work with the Night Sky Program, Dawn raises public awareness and builds community support for the conservation of the region’s natural resources and heritage. Dawn works with partners and local leaders across Central Texas to promote night sky preservation and mitigate the detrimental effects of light pollution. In this role, she supports the growth of community-based Friends of the Night Sky groups, assists with the designation and stewardship of International Dark Sky Places, and provides guidance on local policy related to night sky-friendly lighting. She is a founding member of the Travis County Friends of the Night Sky and serves as co-chair of the Camp Bullis Sentinel Landscape Night Sky Preservation Committee. For over sixteen years, she has educated thousands through outreach with the Austin Astronomical Society and as a volunteer advocate with Dark Sky International and its Texas Chapter.

Eve Dean, Tree Folks, Community Tree Planting Coordinator

(Activity 8 - Tree Planting)
Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Eve (she/her) first gained an appreciation for nature hiking, biking, and camping in the mountains with her family. After moving to Austin in 2019, Eve fell in love with the people, food, and especially the trees of the city. Since completing her B.S. in Environmental Biology in 2023, she has worked for the Texas Conservation Corps, The Trail Conservancy, Travis County Parks, and now, TreeFolks, gaining experience with outdoor education, hands-on restoration, and volunteer management. When she’s not outside, you can find Eve experimenting in the kitchen, doing various crafts, swimming, or spending time with friends.

Sarah Donelson, Environmental Scientist at City of Austin

(Activity 15 - Eliza Springs Amphitheater Tour)
Sarah Donelson is an Environmental Scientist who 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.

Mackenzie Feldman, Co-founder Re:wild Your Campus

(Venue B - How to Re:wild Your Campus)
Mackenzie Feldman is the founder and co-director of Re:wild Your Campus, a women-led national nonprofit that works to eliminate toxic pesticides from school grounds and trains groundskeepers on organic, biodiverse land management. Her work has resulted in the ban of herbicides from every public school in the state of Hawai'i, as well as a glyphosate ban across the University of California system. Originally from Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, Feldman earned her B.A. in Society and Environment with a minor in Food Systems from the University of California, Berkeley, and an M.S. in Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Mackenzie has received the Brower Youth Award for her work, and was a Rachel Carson Council Fellow, a Walking Softer Young Leader Awardee, and a 2024–2025 Obama Foundation USA Leader. Mackenzies is also co-author, with her mother, of the plant-based cookbook Groundbakers.

Michael Feliciano-Gumba, Singer

(Venue A - The Resilience of 21st Century Cities)
Michael Gumba is an alum from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Urban Studies and Sustainability Studies. He has made guest appearances for Hot Science - Cool Talks and Barton Springs University Program to educate and engage students through song.

Alondra Fleming-Parra, Program and Social Media Coordinator, Austin Youth River Watch

(Activity 17 - Water Quality Testing)
Alondra is the Program and Social Media Coordinator at Austin Youth River Watch. She works directly with River Watchers in programming, manages the organization’s social media, and oversees a greenhouse of native plants for restoration projects. She earned her B.S. in Plant Biology from the University of Texas at Austin in 2024.

Anthony Flores, TreeFolks, Community Tree Planting Manager

(Activity 7 - Tree Planting)
Anthony (he/him) in personal and professional background is a Texas native through and through. From catching bugs with his little brothers in their West Texas backyard, to hiking around Austin, to building out various garden bed features at the LBJ Wildflower Center, he has always sought opportunities to explore the outdoors. Anthony first came in contact with TreeFolks in the Urban Forest Stewardship program in 2019, and was a Super Volunteer in the Ready! Set! Plant! program before joining the TreeFolks team as the Community Planting Manager. His time with Heritage Tree Care provided him many learning opportunities in which he was able to grow his tree knowledge and practical skills – both of which he applies to our community plantings. As a certified arborist with a passion for ecology, Anthony combines his deep-rooted interest in the natural world with the practical expertise to care for the environment while enriching communities around him.

Rebeca Gibson, Regional Engagement Manager, Hill Country Alliance

(Activity 4 - Night Sky Innovation Lab)
Rebeca was raised in Spring, Texas, and is a graduate of the University of Houston. After graduation, she and her daughter made their home in Bandera, Texas, where Rebeca has built a life rooted in service, community, and stewardship of the Hill Country. She spent twelve years working in public education before transitioning into real estate, and later into nonprofit work as a grant program manager. Her dedication to civic service led her to serve the City of Bandera as a council member from 2015 to 2022, and as mayor from 2022 to 2024. Rebeca currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District (since 2021). In addition to numerous community committees and advisory boards, she has also been a valued member of HCA’s board from 2020 to 2025. Now, Rebeca joins HCA as our first Regional Engagement Manager, serving Bandera, Kendall, Kerr, and Medina Counties. After years of personally engaging with HCA’s programs and mission, she is excited to deepen and strengthen our impact across this special part of the Hill Country. Rebeca treasures the closeness of having five generations of her family living nearby. She enjoys hiking, kayaking, watercolor, crochet, and yoga.[hands on activity]

Dr. Hayley Gillespie, Site Supervisor, Austin Nature & Science Center

Delaney Harris, Education Coordinator at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

(Activity 5 - Vegetation Survey)
Born and raised in Austin, Delaney grew up hiking and swimming around Central Texas. They developed a passion for learning about and protecting the natural environment, leading them to earn a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Texas A&M University. Since graduating, Delaney has been in environmental education, working with people of all ages. They are currently an Education Coordinator at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center where they assist in developing adult classes and outreach activities to educate the public about native plants. Delaney is a swimmer, gardener, and nature nerd.

Nico Hauwert, Ph.D Texas Professional Hydrogeologist #5171

(Activity 2 - Austin Caves, Dye Tracing)
The Austin Water Balcones Canyonlands 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 that 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 the 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.

Dean Hendrickson, Ph.D., Curator of Ichthology, University of Texas at Austin

(Activity 18 - Live Reptiles and Eel Specimens)
Dean Hendrickson, Ph.D. is the Curator of Ichthyology at the University of Texas at Austin, Department of Integrative Biology (Texas Natural History Collections). Dean earned his Ph.D. at Arizona State University. Before moving to Austin and U.T. in the 1990s, Dean served as the Native Fish Biologist for the State of Arizona. Currently, Dr. Hendrickson works on the Fishes of Texas project, including research on American eels in Texas streams, with an emphasis on connecting science to conservation and sustainability.

Shay Hlavaty, Communications & Outreach Manager, BSEACD

(Activity 9 - Testing Water Conductivity)
Shay brings a strong background in environmental management and a deep passion for community engagement to her role as Communications and Outreach Manager. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Conservation of Natural Resources from Texas Tech University and a Master’s in Environmental Management from Western Colorado University. With more than a decade of experience leading marketing and outreach initiatives for environmental organizations nationwide, Shay excels at connecting people with conservation efforts and fostering environmental stewardship.[hands on activity]

Todd Jackson, Biologist, City of Austin Watershed Protection

(Activity 10 - Macroinvertebrates)
Todd Jackson is a biologist specializing in aquatic macroinvertebrates, which are used for biomonitoring in local streams and springs. He collaborates with the City to monitor endangered and threatened salamanders and freshwater mussels, supports local restoration projects, and engages in a variety of field studies. His experience also includes arthropod bioinventories, invasive plant surveys, endangered species monitoring, water quality assessments, and other fieldwork, reflecting a broad interest in Texas ecosystems and entomology.

Alexia Leclercq, Co-founder Start:Empowerment

(Venue B - Four Directions, Four Sacred Springs)
Alexia is an environmental justice organizer, scholar, and artist. As the co-founder/executive director of Start:Empowerment and an organizer with PODER and Community Powered ATX, her work spans from international climate policy to water rights, land use, and education. Centering traditional ecological knowledge and critical pedagogy in climate education, her curriculum has reached over 120,000 K-12 students and her leadership has been recognized with the Brower Youth Award, WWF Conservation Award, EcoAmerica Award, and featured by the New York Times, Washington Post, TIME Magazine and more.

Amy Lohr, Author & Creative Director

(Activity 14 - Writing Activity)
Amy Lohr is an Author, Creative Director, and leading voice in the arts.

Corinne Loperfido, Trash Artist and Activist

(Activity 1 - Community Sewing Project)
Corinne Loperfido is a social practice artist whose colorful, maximalist work spans visual and performance art, upcycled fashion and costume design, as well as community event production focused on women’s empowerment and environmental activism. She uses discarded resources to create new worlds where we value what we have and take care of the things that already exist instead of continuing to act as if our Earth is a bottomless pit for our consumption.

Caroline Lunning, Lifeguard and Swim Instructor

(Activity 16 - Guided Snorkel Tour 2)
In a sea full of compassionate and vibrant Austinites, Caroline is one of those rare standouts! Whether teaching science to middle school students, helping others learn to swim and stay safe, working with SOS, or getting laps in at the Springs, Caroline does it all!

Lee Mackenzie, Co-Founder Austin Bat Refuge

(Activity 19 - Live Austin Bats)
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

(Activity 13 - Guided Snorkel Tour 1)
Joel Manzo was born and raised in Austin and has been swimming at Barton Springs his entire life. Joel is a strong advocate for Austin Parkland and sandlot baseball, helping to organize many Austin-area baseball events. He has worked at Barton Springs Pool from 2015 to 2019 as an Open Water Lifeguard, where he began giving snorkel tours with SOS in 2018. From 2020 to 2024, Joel worked as a Zilker Parks Maintenance Tech and as a landscape technician in the Austin Watershed Protection Department in the Green Stormwater Infrastructures Division since 2024. Joel recently became an executive board member for SOS in the summer of 2025

Cody Masters, Mycologist at Central Texas Mycology

(Activity 3 - Mushroom Quest)
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.

Tyson McKinney, Environmental Scientist Sr., Watershed Protection Department

(Activity 10 - Macroinvertebrates)
Tyson McKinney is a hydrogeologist who 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 an 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.

Tyson Connor McLean, Program Coordinator, Austin Youth River Watch

(Activity 17 - Water Quality Testing)
Connor is a Program Coordinator at Austin Youth River Watch, who works directly with River Watchers during programming. He loves to share his passion for fishing and aquatic science with the River Watchers. He earned his B.S in Biology and Education from Texas State University in 2024.

Nicole Miller, Environmental Conservation Information Specialist, Austin Watershed

(Activity 11 - Groundwater in Action)
Nicole Miller is an Environmental Conservation Information Specialist with the City of Austin Watershed Protection Department, on the Education team. Nicole grew up in Austin splashing in creeks, looking under rocks, and exploring the Barton Creek Greenbelt. She received a BSA in Biology from University of Texas at Austin, and has spent her career in the field of Outdoor Education. When not working, Nicole spends her time doing many of the same things she does at work- caving, splashing in creeks, hiking to wonderful outdoor spaces, playing complicated board games, and eating good food

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

(Activity 9 - Testing Water Conductivity)
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

(Venue A - Lunch Performances)
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

(Activity 19 - Live Austin Bats)
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

(Venue A - Water Blessing)
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.

Mariana Perez-Isaza, UTSA Public Policy Student

(Activity 20 - The Raft Reports)
Mariana Perez-Isaza is a public policy student and environmental advocate with experience in research, journalism, and community engagement. She is the creator of The Raft Reports, a platform highlighting Texas water resources through record-setting expeditions, storytelling, and conservation advocacy.

Santiago Perez-Isaza, Photographer & Filmaker

(Activity 20 - The Raft Reports)
Santiago Perez-Isaza is an experienced photographer and filmmaker with a strong creative portfolio spanning visual storytelling and digital media. A graduate of the University of Texas at Dallas in UX Design and Digital Interfaces, he brings together artistic vision and technical expertise to design impactful user experiences.

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

(Venue C - Austin is a Sustainability Leader)
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 grants to K-12 schools for on-campus sustainability projects. Last year, the program topped 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.

Marsha Riti, Educator

(Activity 12 - The Aquifer Connection)
Marsha Riti is the Landscape Educator and Specialist at the Elisabet Ney Museum, as well as a certified capital area master naturalist. She enjoys sharing her passion for nature with others.

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

(Venue B - Thinking about Water Supply & Demand in School Design)
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 citizens 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.

Gail Rothe, Rewilding Project Leader & Environmental Steward

(Activity 8 - Tree Planting)
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.

Melissa Schacht, Education Coordinator, Wildflower Center

(Activity 5 - Vegetation Survey)
Growing up in Michigan, Melissa developed a passion for native plants and sustainability as she spent more and more time getting to know her ecoregion. She has a degree in Natural Resource Management and started her career in parks and recreation and volunteer management. Since moving to Austin, Melissa works on youth programs and community engagement as an Education Coordinator at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. She enjoys spreading the word about the importance of native plants both at the Wildflower Center and out and about in the community. Melissa is an avid gardener, crafter, and DIYer.

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

(Activity 3 - Mushroom Quest)
Formally an experienced designer and animator in the tech world, she hopes to inspire more people to 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.

Nessa Spence, Conservation and Water Quality Educator

(Venue C - Healthy Soil, Clean Water: Why Every Drop Matters)
Horticulturalist, educator, conservationist, and public speaker dedicated to regenerating ecosystems through education, action, & design. Co-owner of Ripples & Roots Wildscapes. Speaks across Texas on native pollinator gardens, water-wise landscaping, xeriscaping, soil ecology, & regenerative land care. With MicroLife Organic Biological Fertilizers, Nessa leads outreach, writes, builds partnerships, & trains professionals to adopt biologically based practices. Through Healthy Soil = Clean Water & Get Fertilizer Wiser at St. Edward’s University, she empowers communities to restore ecosystems. She also serves on the boards of Central Texas Seed Savers & TNLA Region 8.

Dana Thomas, Environmental Scientist at Austin Watershed Protection, Geologic Drainage Systems

(Activity 11 - Groundwater in Action)
Dana Thomas earned a B.S. in Geology from Louisiana State University and a Ph.D. in Geological and Environmental Sciences from Stanford University. Originally from Louisiana, she has always loved being in, near, and around water, making Austin an ideal place to live and work.