Tara has worked for many years with the Lower East Side Ecology Center, developing opportunities for inner-city youth to learn about, and develop responsibility for, their local environment. She has worked alongside countless local environmental and youth organizations, as well as local city government offices in addition to her community-based work in different parts of the world.

“Tara has shown time and time again that she is a leader— I think it all started for her when writing her Congressman concerning her environmental concerns when she was in fifth grade! Tara always comes up with innovative ideas on how to involve the community in environmental issues and constantly emphasizes the links between society and the natural environment.”

Tara has been involved in the work of many organizations and environmentally-minded campaigns—She has organized numerous community events, including: our Annual EarthDay Events, a celebration of our programs with an emphasis on offering hands-on experiences; a day to promote Women in Science—bringing together her work with the Lower East Side Ecology Center and her studies at Columbia University; and recently led the first Manhattan Master Composter Course. Tara has been nominated to many committees in the region, as well as international groups, and is well-known and admired throughout the region’s environmental community.

Tara’s motto has consistently been to “keep one foot in the local and one foot somewhere else”, which has led her to work on projects throughout the world, all of which have had a great impact on her leadership skills and knowledge base. To this point, she is currently working on developing her own not-for-profit environmental consulting program to promote knowledge development in disadvantaged regions.

Tara’s involvement in the planning and founding of the East River Park Learning Center has allowed hundreds, if not thousands, of local youth to participate in stewardship programs and hands-on environmental learning. Her projects and curriculum often involve creativity and are especially made to fit the needs of her students and others she works with. Tara has further solidified partnerships with numerous schools and programs, including the Lower East Side Girls Club, and she has served as a leader, colleague, and promoter for many important causes in the Brooklyn community.

Tara’s work in sustainable development and/or environmental justice.

“With a BA in Human Impacts on Ecosystems from the University of Virginia and a MA in Climate and Society from Columbia University, my education has focused on issues of sustainable development, society, and the environment. Professionally, my international experience includes work in Colombia, Haiti, Brazil, and throughout Europe—all working with community-based projects. My background includes consulting with the UNDP Latin America offices on knowledge-sharing for local governance initiatives; organizing and leading town discussions on waterborne diseases in rural Haiti; serving as founder and developer of the East River Park Environmental Learning Center, Manhattan, NY; and conducting research in projects concerning habitat preservation, environmental degradation, and resource management.”

“I am a recent appointee to both the UNDP Gender and Environment Expert Rosters; Board Member of the Lower East Side Ecology Center; Organizer of the NYC Women in Science Day; am developing my own Environmental Not-for-profit Consulting Program; and am working towards publication of a work concerning participation in water management in Brazil.”

 In what ways have you taken leadership in your community? In what ways do you support other women working alongside you?

This past year, I organized the 1st NYC Women in the Natural Sciences Weekend in cooperation with the Lower East Side Ecology Center, Lower East Side Girls Club, Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory and the Earth Institute. The event provided approximately 40 middle and high school girls from the Lower East Side Girls were trained in issues concerning their local environmental, environmental justice, and opportunities for women in the natural sciences. In addition to this, I have worked with issues of Haitian women migrants to the region and their experiences of diaspora, as well as led many environmentally-focused stewardship, research, and teaching programs.

“Personally, I have always felt it important to support women both professionally and personally---and I have also always felt a strong relationship between my role as a woman and an environmental/social activist. I continue to work towards supporting those around me through leading by example, listening and keeping an open mind, to spread positive thinking and determination, and to be open to inspiring and being inspired.”

What tools or programs do you envision as needed to strengthen the efforts of grassroots women working to protect the environment?