We are excited to introduce Haley, MAR’s new Project Coordinator! Haley’s path has been guided by a love of wild places and the people who protect them. Read on to learn how she found her way to MAR and what she’s most looking forward to in her new role.
From Chicago to the Gulf Coast
Haley grew up in the Chicagoland area and moved to St. Petersburg in 2016 to attend Eckerd College. She chose to attend Eckerd with the hopes of being able to learn about and experience the many unique ecosystems of Southwest Florida, and was not disappointed! She graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, and has spent her time since then working in different positions within the environmental field.
Stepping Into the MAR Project Coordinator Role
As MAR’s new Project Coordinator, Haley brings a unique combination of remote research and in-person environmental education experience to the team. She is excited to start supporting MAR’s mission of connecting people with nature.
A Passion for Wildlife Rehabilitation
Haley is also very passionate about wildlife rehabilitation and enjoys volunteering with the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary in her free time. Caring for injured birds that come through the hospital provides tangible motivation to keep working towards environmental regeneration, for the benefit of the many species that call Florida’s ecosystems home!
Get to Know Haley: Haley Q&A
What drew you to MAR’s mission?
I love helping people connect to nature, so MAR’s mission felt very aligned with my goals and interests! Spending time in nature has improved my life so much, and I love introducing other people to the benefits they can experience from connecting to the natural world. I am also very passionate about protecting and improving natural spaces, so my desire to do so drew me to MAR’s mission.
What excites you most about the Project Coordinator role?
I am very excited for the opportunity to see new parks and preserves in the Tampa Bay area that I have not yet visited! I have lived here for many years, but am still constantly learning of outdoor spaces that I have never visited before. I look forward to attending events in new places while also meeting new people that share my enthusiasm for nature.
What first sparked your interest in environmental work and the outdoors?
I have loved nature and wildlife for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I read as many books and watched as many movies about animals and nature as I could find. The more I learned about nature, the more I developed a desire to work towards protecting it. This desire was solidified and became more tangible at Eckerd, where I gained a better understanding of environmental issues and their many possible solutions. After everything I learned while earning my degree, I couldn’t imagine working in any other field.
What’s a favorite outdoor spot in the Tampa Bay area, and what makes it special to you?
I spent the last 2 years as a park ranger at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, and it quickly became my favorite outdoor spot in St. Petersburg. Working there gave me a special opportunity to get to know the preserve, and then to teach visitors about it. My favorite part about Boyd Hill is the diversity of habitats that exist within it. It has 5 distinct ecosystems, and each one has its own unique plants, animals, and lessons to be learned.
How can individuals help support environmental restoration in their everyday lives?
If you have a backyard, or even a balcony at an apartment, you can plant native plants at your own home! Creating small pockets of livable habitat within cities can be so important for supporting wildlife. If you do not have any outdoor space that you are able to plant in, you can attend a volunteer workday like the ones MAR organizes and help us to restore a larger ecosystem!
Do you have a favorite nature-themed book or film?
One of my favorite nature-themed books is Where the Crawdads Sing. I loved the beautifully vivid descriptions of wetlands and all of the creatures that live within them in this book. Kya’s deep connection to nature made her immediately relatable to me, and the mysterious murder investigation plotline made it impossible to put down.
What’s one lesson the outdoors has taught you?
The outdoors have taught me the importance of being patient and present in your everyday life. I often spend time in nature with the hopes of seeing really cool wildlife, and in order to do that, I have to be very in tune with my surroundings and very patient. Practicing observation skills in nature has improved my quality of life immensely, and helped me to see some amazing animals!
Favorite quote?
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” – Dr. Jane Goodall
Come Say Hello at Our Next Event
Want to meet Haley in person? Join us at an upcoming MAR event and say hello! Whether you’re planting trees, pulling debris, or showing up for the very first time, we’d love to see you out there.
