WPC Staff
Marah Fielden
Director of Community Greening Projects
Throughout her childhood and teen years, Marah Fielden spent happy weekends hiking, hunting and exploring the woods at her family’s camp. “My dad taught me which plants were good for foraging and habitat,” she recalls. “I became familiar with different species of trees and signs of a healthy forest.” Now a certified ISA Certified Arborist and WPC’s director of community greening projects, Marah says those experiences led her to a career in conservation.
She recognizes that not everyone can access nature as easily as they would like. “Experiencing greenery around you is so healing for the mind and body,” Marah says. “Everyone deserves to have access to green spaces. Our team brings nature to city centers, where the people are.”
Marah has served in four roles in two departments since starting at WPC in 2013. She loves that her greening team works alongside community members, providing expertise to help people accomplish their vision. “The people I work with are wonderful,” she says. “Together we plant trees in parks or along residential streets, plant and maintain community flower gardens, install outdoor classrooms for early childhood students and more.”
In addition to field work, Marah writes grants and fundraises, enabling her to advocate for more tree plantings, flower gardens and outdoor classrooms for kids.
When building momentum for community greening work, it a challenge to solicit and hear all opinions, she says. “It’s inspiring when we all have the same vision and work together on solutions, when we make sure everyone’s voice is heard and needs are met to the best of our abilities.”
Now, as a parent of twins, Marah says it’s important to leave the world a better place than when she entered it, and introduces her children to nature as her dad did with her. “I spend most evenings taking my kids outside so they can experience nature and all the plants and critters in it,” she says. “My daughter is three, and knows the names of more birds and plants than many adults I know. This is a win!”
Learn more about Marah and her work in this clip from our webinar, “The View From Here: Five Women Discuss Careers in Conservation & Preservation.“
The following lists some of the ways you can volunteer at the Conservancy. We welcome volunteers to help in our community flower gardens, plant trees or maintain our preserves and trails, among other tasks. View a list of our current or upcoming volunteer opportunities and register for one today.