People

Mountain Watershed Association began its life around a kitchen table. The organization was founded in 1994 to oppose an underground coal mine proposal in the Indian Creek Watershed in the Laurel Highlands of Southwestern Pennsylvania. MWA’s input and organized opposition resulted in the denial of the permit. MWA’s board of directors and dedicated community members realized that to restore the watershed to a viable community, they would have to address the legacy of more than 150 years of extraction and disinvestment in our rural Appalachian region. Since then, MWA has restored more than 70 percent of the Indian Creek Watershed and prevented countless sources of additional pollution in the broader Youghiogheny River Watershed. The organization has expanded to eleven full-time employees, a 17-person volunteer Board of Directors, and more than 2500 members and supporters.

I am currently an AmeriCorps member serving with the Environmental Education Leadership Corps in Kentucky. I serve at the Louisville Nature Center where we provide educational programming for kids and adults of all ages with our forest preschool, summer camps, field trips, outreach, and guided hikes. 

For 50+ years, we have been guiding youth, adults and elders through life transitions, restoring rites of passage and building multi-generational community.

Cheron H. Davis, Ph.D. is an associate professor of reading education at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Recognized as one of the top 25 leading women in higher education by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education and as Florida Project Learning Tree’s Educator of the Year, Dr. Davis is a practitioner at heart and maintains healthy, robust relationships with classroom teachers throughout the U.S.

Dr. Davis's initiative, ECO-READ (Empowering Conservation through Observation, Reading Education, Application, & Discovery), integrates STEM and literacy education with a focus on environmental education within HBCU teacher preparation programs. ECO-READ aims to enhance both teaching practices and environmental literacy among preservice teachers by bridging the gap between environmental education and literacy.

Dr. Davis’s research investigates the complex intersections of literacy, identity, and pedagogy within HBCUs. Grounded in critical literacy theory and sociocultural frameworks, her scholarship examines the belief systems, self-efficacy, and reflective practices of preservice teachers in early literacy and interdisciplinary contexts. Her current projects integrate environmental and reading education through the Eco-Read initiative, a federally supported effort to explore how ecological literacy experiences shape teacher preparation and student engagement in STEM-rich environments. Dr. Davis examines the mechanisms by which culturally responsive pedagogy, disciplinary literacy, and social justice–oriented teacher education converge to foster equitable reading outcomes. Her research agenda advances a transformative vision for literacy teacher preparation, particularly within HBCU ecosystems, emphasizing sustainable models of instruction that bridge the cognitive, cultural, and environmental dimensions of learning.

Erin began her career as a public-school educator in 2005. She is currently an elementary school counselor and was named the 2019 Virginia School Counselor of the Year. Historically, Erin focused on using mindfulness and yoga practices to support her students' mental health and wellness. She completed the Mindful Schools Curriculum Training and contributed to the development of the elementary school mindfulness curriculum for MINDS Inc. Erin is also a Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher and has led implementation of Yoga 4 Classrooms at her school and several schools throughout Fairfax County. Recently, Erin has become interested in utilizing the therapeutic benefits of nature to support her students. She is currently enrolled in the Virginia Environmental Education Certification program with the hopes of integrating aspects of environmental education into her school counseling program. Erin also leads the Green Team at her school and is working closely with students to design a new outdoor learning space and school garden on their campus. 

An environment educator with a Master's in Environmental Science and over three years of experience in program management and youth-school engagement. As the National Operator for the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) Denmark's prestigious global programmes—Eco-Schools and Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE)—in India, I lead the strategic implementation and scaling of these initiatives nationwide. My expertise lies in building capacity through teacher training, developing impactful educational resources, and forging strategic partnerships. An official member of the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety and a recognized Climate Reality Leader and UNDP Movers Ambassador, I am deeply committed to empowering educators and youth to drive positive environmental and social change

I lead Gorge Ecology Outdoor's efforts to inspire a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world in all of those that we serve.

I’m a bilingual early-career environmental scientist with a passion for ecology, marine biology, and field-based research that helps people understand and learn from the natural world. I recently earned my degree in Earth & Environmental Science from Boston University, where I combined rigorous coursework with hands-on research.

From monitoring cyanobacteria blooms across Cape Cod (APCC), to caring for coral colonies (Rotjan Marine Lab), to evaluating optimal conditions for southern king crab cultivation in Patagonia, I’ve built a foundation in both lab and field science — along with a deep commitment to scientific communication and public engagement. I’ve conducted research in both English and Spanish anddeveloped educational content for public audiences with the National Park Service.

I’m eager to contribute to meaningful research, education, and interpretation that bridges science and community impact!