Meet Marielle, Forestry Program Coordinator
Meet Marielle (she/her)! Marielle is Mississippi Park Connection’s NEW Forestry Program Coordinator! Marielle will coordinate forestry initiatives within the Mississippi River’s 72-mile national park! She will focus on coordinating tree planting efforts, managing tree gravel beds, conducting tree surveys, and encouraging best forestry management practices for climate adaptation throughout the park.
Read more about Marielle below!
My name is Marielle (she/her) and I am the new Forestry Program Coordinator. I will be coordinating tree plantings and surveying past tree planting survivorship. I grew up in Minnesota and alway enjoyed camping and learning about animals and the environment. I pursued this passion through a degree in Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota.
After graduating in 2019, I worked a variety of positions from being a gardener and naturalist at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, to reducing food waste as a GreenCorps member with Hennepin County, to conducting wildlife surveys and habitat restoration in Tahoe National Forest, California. Across my positions, I enjoyed connecting to my surroundings in new ways and sharing that connection with others. Whether that’s teaching someone about a new flower and its place in the ecosystem, or giving tips on creating less waste, I love seeing the spark in their eyes as they think about their environment and how to be a better steward.
As a past volunteer for Mississippi Park Connection, I know how passionate and proactive the volunteers and staff are and I am thrilled to join the MPC team as Forestry Program Coordinator. I am excited to share my knowledge, inspire environmental stewardship, and help build climate resilience across the Mississippi River Corridor. I hope you will all join me in planting 2,000 trees across the Mississippi River Corridor over the next two years!
Outside of work, I enjoy staying active, dancing, hiking, and exploring the Twin Cities. Catch me out and about enjoying a new restaurant, brewery, or a bubble tea shop. In my down time, I also love journaling, reading, and drawing. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Marielle with any questions! mmateo@parkconnection.org
