Hi, I’m Georgia.
I am an urban community forester living and working in New York City. I am passionate about exploring the connections and interactions between people and plants. From street trees to urban birding and aspects of urban ecology in between, I share stories with you through writing, teaching, and speaking.
WHAT I DO
WRITE
My favorite topic to write about is people-plant relationships, from governments and nonprofits to every day people. I’m currently working on a project exploring the history of Black New Yorkers engagements with forested landscapes. Look at my portfolio.
TEACH
I am an adjunct professor in environmental studies. I can teach courses in the environmental and social history of parks and urban forests, methods of observing nature and wildlife, and woody plant identification.
SPEAK
I’ve presented my research at academic conferences and lecture series. Watch my talk, “Spark Trees,” to the Torrey Botanical Society. I’ve been a guest host for the American Birding Podcast. I host Your Bird Story, the podcast initiative of Local Nature Lab. Listen to a fan-favorite episode.
WHAT I’VE WRITTEN
Toponymy, Migration Migration & Pigeon Peas
Making etymological connections between birds of the Caribbean, with a focus on Jamaica, and U.S. East Coast. BIRDING, June 2024. Photo: Jean Shum. Read the article.
The Rise of Plantfluencers
Creative online influencers are helping a diverse new generation of gardeners begin a love affair with plants. THE AMERICAN GARDENER, Jan/Feb 2024. Read the story.
An African American Tree Activist Lived in Brooklyn
A Southern magnolia still grows in Brooklyn, one of the botanical legacies of African American environmental activist Hattie Carthan. BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN BLOG, March 2023. Photo: NYPL. Read the essay.
Let’s Work Together.
BIO
I write stories about people’s relationships with plants and narratives that connect people to trees. I can write for a scholarly and general audience. I've written a dissertation about the discursive transformation of urban trees from beautification to ecosystem services. I’ve also written for the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Blog, the American Gardener, and City Trees.
I also write about the practice of urban birding, with bylines at Popsci.com, Audubon.com, and in Audubon magazine.
Additionally, I am developing an expertise in phenology monitoring, the tracking of seasonal changes in nature. I have spoken about the topic on WNYC and administer a phenology project in Washington Square Park that won a PhenoAward from the USA National Phenology Network. Learn more about the benefits of phenology—read my co-authored opinion piece, For well-being and science, chip in with nature observations, published in the Portland Press Herald.
Looking for fun professional development activity for your staff? I can lead a immersive and creative nature-based workshops.
