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ABOUT

I combine environmental data, design, and land stewardship to explore and communicate how landscapes change over time, fostering deeper connections among people, communities, and the land. I founded Landscapes of Belonging, an environmental data storytelling platform that examines these changes through data, narratives, and the systems that shape our relationship with the land. 
 

I have a background in graphic design, web and interactive design, and education. I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Art Education with a specialization in Graphic Design, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Web and Interactive Design from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Throughout my career, I have created visual and communication work for organizations such as the Dedham Historical Society, Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth (CHaD Hero Run), Boston Higashi School, Pure and Simple Organic, Kindhearted Gardens, Olde Dartmouth Farm, and various nonprofit initiatives. 


Earlier in my career, I worked as an educator in international, private, and public schools, as well as in community-based and therapeutic settings. This experience continues to shape my approach to communication, emphasizing clarity, accessibility, and engagement.

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In addition to my work in design and education, I have developed a strong foundation in land-based practice. My experience includes stewardship work in the White Mountains, planting trees in fields and along riverbanks, and farming on an organic blueberry and garlic operation in Vermont’s Green Mountains. I also managed an ecologically focused gardening business. This hands-on work informs my understanding of ecological systems, seasonal rhythms, and the relationships between people and the land.
 

I hold a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Data Communication Professional Certificate from the University of Vermont, where I gained skills in GIS, remote sensing, and data visualization. My GIS experience includes working with vector and raster datasets, applying spatial analysis techniques such as network analysis, hydrology, interpolation, and raster calculations, and integrating publicly available data into cohesive analytical frameworks. I have also built geoprocessing workflows using ModelBuilder and introductory Python, and evaluated data quality, scale, and suitability for real-world applications.

In remote sensing, I work with multi-spectral and multi-temporal satellite imagery from sources such as Landsat, Sentinel, and MODIS. Using Google Earth Engine, I develop workflows to analyze environmental change, including land cover patterns and post-disturbance recovery, employing image processing, spectral indices, and time-series analysis.


In data visualization and communication, I focus on translating complex datasets into clear, structured, and visually effective narratives. I apply design principles and perceptual theory to create maps, charts, and visual outputs that effectively communicate insights to diverse audiences. 

 

My work sits at the intersection of environmental analysis, GIS, and design, bringing together spatial data and visual communication to support informed, place-based understanding. I seek opportunities that connect environmental data, conservation, and community work, where I can contribute to meaningful, place-based efforts that support both ecosystems and the people connected to them. 

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A CV is available upon request.

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Professional Development

Using Satellite Imagery for Data Center and Land Use Tracking
Center for Progressive Reform
February 24, 2026

 

Webinar and introductory training focused on open-source satellite imagery and GIS workflows for land use monitoring, environmental impact analysis, and data center tracking. Topics included image acquisition pipelines, GIS visualization, case studies from North Carolina, and approaches to improving public access to geospatial tools and environmental information.
 

Presenters included Dr. Federico Holm and Dr. Rania Masri.
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Understanding Your Forest Management Plan

Forest Landowner Outreach Project/Vermont Natural Resources Council
March 24, 2026

 

Webinar and outreach initiative focused on private forest stewardship, wildlife habitat, sustainable forest management, and long-term landscape resilience in Vermont. The program explored educational resources and technical assistance available to forest landowners, emphasizing the role of private stewardship in supporting biodiversity, clean water, climate resilience, and forest integrity across the state.

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In partnership with organizations including Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Vermont Woodlands Association, Vermont Coverts: Woodlands for Wildlife, and Audubon Vermont.​

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From Climate Challenges to Watershed Solutions – Voices from the Field (Spring 2026, Episode 1)​

Sustainable Conservation
April 8, 2026

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Webinar focused on watershed resilience, climate adaptation, and landscape-scale solutions for mitigating environmental risk. The discussion explored collaborative approaches to water management, working lands, and climate resilience, highlighting strategies already in place to strengthen watershed systems and ecological sustainability.

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Featured speakers included Josette Lewis, Karla Nemeth, and Virginia Jameson.

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Landkeeping 

Huntington-USC Institute on California and the West
April 30, 2026

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Webinar discussion celebrating the release of Landkeeping: Restoring Indigenous Fire Stewardship and Ecological Partnerships, focused on Indigenous fire stewardship, ecological restoration, cultural continuity, and collaborative land relationships. The conversation explored how renewed ecological partnerships and traditional fire practices can contribute to healthier, more resilient landscapes and communities.

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Featured speakers included Jared Aldern, Kelsey Leonard, Natasha Caverley, and Theresa Gregor.

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Connecting Solutions for Groundwater Resilience​

Sustainable Conservation

May 6, 2026

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Webinar focused on groundwater sustainability, recharge strategies, multibenefit land repurposing, and climate resilience across California. The discussion explored integrated approaches to reducing groundwater demand, improving water reliability, mitigating flood risk, and restoring habitat through coordinated land- and water-management strategies.

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Featured speakers included Glen Low and Jacob Byrne, moderated by Richael Young.

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Managing Invasive Plants: Understanding Rapid Adaptation and Strategies for Control

United States Forest Service Research and Development

May 7, 2026

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Webinar focused on invasive plant management in eastern forest ecosystems and the challenges posed by rapidly adapting invasive species. The discussion explored current research on species such as Callery pear and tallow, highlighting ecological impacts, forest management considerations, and strategies for controlling invasive plants while supporting long-term forest health, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience.

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Featured presenters included Lauren Pile Knapp, JT Vogt, and Cynthia Huebner.

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Immediate Actions to Strengthen Food & Energy Resilience

Soil Food Web School

​May 7, 2026
 

Webinar focused on regenerative agriculture, soil health, and food system resilience. Through real-world examples from farmers, consultants, and growers, the discussion explored practical strategies for reducing chemical inputs, improving soil biology, and strengthening ecosystem function. The session highlighted regenerative growing practices and actionable approaches that can be applied across farms, gardens, and managed landscapes to build more resilient food and land management systems.

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Protecting Hemlocks from Woolly Adelgid with Silviculture and Biocontrol

United States Forest Service Research and Development

May 12, 2026

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Webinar focused on protecting eastern hemlock forests from the impacts of the hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive insect responsible for widespread tree mortality across the eastern United States. The discussion explored current research on adelgid genetics, biological control methods, and silvicultural management strategies to improve forest resilience and support long-term hemlock conservation.

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Featured presenters included Nathan Havill and Albert Mayfield.

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Spotted Lanternfly Quarterly Update

Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources

May 13, 2026

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Webinar focused on the monitoring and management of the invasive spotted lanternfly and its impacts on forests, agriculture, and natural resources. The session provided updates on biological control research, spring hatch observations, and ongoing survey efforts, highlighting current strategies for tracking and responding to this emerging pest.

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Featured speakers included Hannah Broadley and members of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Spotted Lanternfly Survey Team.

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Environmental Law Update: Need-to-Know Developments, 2025–2026

Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions

May 14, 2026

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Webinar focused on recent developments in environmental, land use, real estate, municipal, and constitutional law affecting conservation and natural resource management. The session explored evolving legal responsibilities, regulatory changes, and court decisions related to wetland and floodplain protection, open space conservation, municipal authority, environmental review processes, and land preservation.

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Presented by Gregor McGregor, whose work has helped shape legal precedents involving environmental protection, land use planning, and conservation policy throughout New England.

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Management Solutions for Emerald Ash Borer

Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions

May 14, 2026

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Webinar focused on management strategies for the emerald ash borer, one of the most destructive invasive forest pests in North America. The discussion explored biological control programs, ash-resistance breeding efforts, and approaches to maintaining forested wetlands and ecosystem function in landscapes affected by the decline and loss of black ash. The session highlighted current research aimed at improving forest resilience and supporting long-term conservation of ash-dominated ecosystems.

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Featured presenters included Toby Petrice, Randy Kolka, and Jennifer Koch.

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Shifting the Homeowner Mindset: Shared Responsibility in Wildfire Mitigation

National Volunteer Fire Council

May 19, 2026

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Webinar focused on community wildfire resilience and the shared responsibility of wildfire mitigation. The discussion explored common misconceptions about wildfire response, the importance of homeowner preparedness, and practical approaches to reducing wildfire risk through defensible space, community engagement, and proactive mitigation strategies. Emphasis was placed on collaboration between fire departments and residents to strengthen long-term community resilience.

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Tracking Spongy Moth Defoliation and the Economics of Slowing the Spread

United States Forest Service Research and Development

May 19, 2026

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Webinar focused on the ecological and economic impacts of spongy moth outbreaks and on strategies to slow their spread across forested landscapes. The discussion explored the benefits and costs of the Slow the Spread Program, as well as the use of remote sensing technologies to monitor and map forest defoliation. Particular attention was given to the challenges and opportunities of using geospatial tools to support forest health monitoring, decision-making, and invasive species response efforts.

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Featured presenters included Sonia Bruck and Steve Norman.

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Tree Planting

Vermont Woodlands Association

May 19, 2026

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Webinar focused on tree planting strategies for private landowners, including site selection, planting techniques, species selection, and long-term forest stewardship. The discussion emphasized climate-adaptive forestry practices and explored how landowners can select tree species likely to be resilient under future climate conditions while supporting forest health, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience.

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Featured speakers included Katharine Kain, Althea Dacey, and Peter Clark.

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Save a Place for Birds: Stories of Hope Across the Americas

Bird City Wisconsin

May 20, 2026

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Webinar focused on bird conservation, habitat restoration, and landscape stewardship across the Americas. Through case studies from conservation organizations and community initiatives, the discussion highlighted efforts to protect migratory bird habitat, restore forest ecosystems, reduce threats to bird populations, and support long-term biodiversity conservation through collaborative stewardship.

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The Nighttime World of Caterpillars & Moths

The Caterpillar Lab

May 20, 2026

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Webinar focused on nocturnal insect ecology and methods for observing caterpillars and moths in local habitats. The session explored how ultraviolet lighting and specialized light-trapping techniques can reveal the diversity of nighttime insect communities, offering new perspectives on biodiversity, species identification, and ecological relationships in backyard and natural landscapes.

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Advancing Indigenous and Diverse Knowledge Systems in Global Assessments

International Institute for Environment and Development

May 20, 2026

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Webinar focused on the role of Indigenous and diverse knowledge systems in environmental assessment, decision-making, and sustainable development. The discussion explored approaches for integrating local, traditional, and community-based knowledge into global assessments, highlighting the importance of inclusive governance, knowledge equity, and meaningful participation in addressing environmental and social challenges.

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Exploring Community Benefits Alongside Former DOE Officials: Achievements, Challenges, and What Lies Ahead

Center for Progressive Reform

May 21, 2026

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Webinar focused on Community Benefits Plans (CBPs) and their role in advancing climate, energy, labor, environmental justice, and equity goals through federal policy implementation. The discussion examined lessons from the U.S. Department of Energy during the Biden administration, including successes, implementation challenges, and opportunities to strengthen community-centered approaches to energy transition and climate action.

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Featured speakers included Shalanda Baker, Betony Jones, and Sara Wylie. Federico Holm moderated the discussion.

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Emerging Threats: Asian Needle Ant and Beech Leaf Disease

United States Forest Service Research and Development

May 21, 2026

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Webinar focused on two emerging threats affecting forests in the eastern United States: beech leaf disease and the invasive Asian needle ant. The discussion provided an overview of the ecological impacts of both species and highlighted current research on monitoring, management, and mitigation strategies to protect forest health, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience.

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Featured presenters included Cameron McIntire and Emilee Poole.

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Indigenous Climate Leadership for Our Collective Future

Indigenous Climate Action

June 1, 2026

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Webinar focused on Indigenous leadership in climate action, community resilience, and the role of Indigenous knowledge systems in addressing environmental challenges. The discussion explored pathways toward a more just and sustainable future through Indigenous-led approaches to stewardship, climate adaptation, relationship-building, and collective responsibility to land, water, and future generations.
 

Featured speakers included Jamie Bourque, Carole Monture, Deborah Barndt, and Jacob.

© 2026 by Natasha Horak.  

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