Plant Ecologist and Conservation Biologist

Paul Alaback has been studying the ecology and conservation of temperate forests and associated ecosystems for over 30 years. He is the author of numerous technical publications, and co-edited two books on temperate rainforests. He also was one of the scientists that helped found Project Budburst in 2007, a national community science program. He is currently a professor emeritus from the University of Montana, and since moving to Colorado is a volunteer with the Colorado Native Plant Society and is helping the City of Boulder with their Nature-Based Climate Solutions program. He actively promotes public participation in science and natural history education and using community science data to monitor climate change.

Regenerative Land Steward & Permaculture Teacher

Amy has a colorful decade-long background in market farming, ecological landscaping, permaculture, historical interpretation, running educational programming, writing, and agricultural research. Amy is deeply passionate about creating pathways to reconnect people to their ecosystems and food systems. She is the founder and Executive Director of High Plains Permaculture/The Niwot Homestead and teaches permaculture at Naropa University.

Entomologist & Director of Horticulture for Butterfly Pavilion

Amy has been with Butterfly Pavilion for over 20 years and currently leads their local pollinator habitat initiatives, such as the Baseline Pollinator District and the Urban Prairies Project, which restores habitat in urban and suburban green spaces in Westminster and Broomfield. Amy has also installed pollinator habitat gardens throughout the community at locations such as Sprout City Farms, Clear Creek Valley Park, and Good Samaritan Hospital. Her articles have been published in Colorado Gardener, Aquilegia, and the journal of the Association for Zoological Horticulture. Through habitat gardening and education, Amy connects people to nature and gives them a deeper understanding of the need for biodiversity both locally and globally.

Vice President of Tree of Life Landscapes, Designer

Born in the foothills of Colorado, Emily began life on a farm which has shaped her as a learner, creator, and musician. An early love of music and the land inspired her to pursue a degree in Piano Performance at the University of Colorado while working at an organic farm. After marrying and returning to Colorado, she and her husband Mark began Tree of Life Landscapes, a design/build firm specializing in plant-driven design and sustainable outdoor spaces. While continuing to perform music, she and Mark developed Tree of Life into a leading landscape design firm pushing their industry to embrace a holistic vision for gardens. Her award-winning designs have been featured in publications and have given a vision for what plant-driven design can be. Mark and Emily have started a nursery, experimenting with sustainable practices for growing well-adapted plants. Their yearly design conference, Create Beauty, has been a source of inspiration for designers and contractors looking to expand their knowledge and creativity. In her free time, Emily enjoys her seven children, reading books, playing music, and sitting in the sun on her front porch.

Field Naturalist & Habitat Creation Mentor

Field Naturalist & Habitat Creation Mentor

Dave is an award-winning field naturalist, now retired from the city of Boulder’s Open Space & Mountain Parks department. In addition to over 25 years working in the Boulder area, Dave has led outdoor education programs in California, Idaho and Costa Rica, and has trained guides in the Galapagos Islands.

Dave is also fluent in Spanish and leads nature hikes and programs for Boulder’s Hispanic community. His home habitat/native plant demonstration garden is the envy of all of us plant and pollinator nerds.

Education and Outreach Senior Representative, Open Space & Mountain Parks

Devyn Palm-Trujillo is an environmental educator and ecological gardener who helps communities reconnect with the land through native plants, hands-on stewardship, and climate resiliency. As an Education and Outreach Representative for the City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks and a member of the Nature-Based Climate Solutions team, she has led multi-year pollinator garden initiatives, guided more than 50 volunteers in native gardening projects, and introduced hundreds of community members to the beauty of native plants. With a background in ecology and habitat restoration, Devyn brings curiosity, care, and creativity to every garden she tends. Her work focuses on building resilient landscapes and inclusive spaces where people can come together to care for nature, strengthening connections between communities and the living world one seed, one garden, and one story at a time.  

Entomologist, Ecologist, Pesticide Expert

Rella is the biodiversity lead for the Natural-Based Solutions Division of the City of Boulder Climate Initiatives Department. She leads urban biodiversity and pollinator programs for the city and the Cool Boulder initiative, a partnership between the city, universities, NGOs, businesses, community members, and others working together to equitably and inclusively transition conventional landscaping to habitats that support insects, birds and other wildlife.

Landscape Architect & Ecological Landscaping Expert

Lauren Freels is a landscape architect experienced in all levels of site development, from design and project management to environmental planning and community engagement. At the City of Boulder’s Climate Initiatives Department, she advances Nature-based Solutions that enhance climate resilience, biodiversity, and human connection to the environment. Lauren’s work bridges ecological design and policy, revealing the potential within communities and landscapes to inspire stewardship, sustainability, and joyful engagement with nature.