As Director of Conservation at Nature Forward, Lydia oversees Nature Forward’s advocacy and community outreach work in DC, MD, & VA. Lydia most connects to Nature Forward’s goals to protect the natural world and help others enjoy nature. Their connection to this work comes from their experience not seeing people who look like them enjoying the natural world. This experience drove them to create opportunities to connect historically overburdened communities to healthy natural environments and to remove the systemic barriers that have prevented diverse communities from enjoying the natural world. Outside of work, you can find Lydia paddling the Potomac, rock climbing, foraging, and generally being in awe of Nature’s beauty.