Panelist Bios:
Dr. Nigel Golden is an Arctic researcher who studies the response of Arctic species to climate change at the Woodwell Climate Research Center. He works on modeling the populations and genomics of Arctic wildlife to inform wildlife management and conservation. He supports the operation of the Polaris Project.
Efraín (he/him) works with Justice Outside as a Grantmaking & Program Manager for the Liberated Paths Grantmaking Program. In his role, he is tasked with supporting historically under-funded organizations and programs that are led by Black, Indigenous, and communities of color (BIPOC) in building power and impact in the outdoors.
Franklyn Mena
Franklyn is a Senior Field Instructor, at Team Wilderness. Team Wilderness is a nonprofit organization that uses an experiential educational model to teach urban teenagers teamwork, leadership, and character. Franklyn works tirelessly to engage with communities of color in the outdoors, and making their experience transformative and informative.
Claudia Urdanivia is a community development practitioner and food systems professional currently based in Queens. Claudia has worked in various capacities to uplift the voices of communities of color through developing and sustaining community garden spaces in New Jersey and, most recently, the Bronx. She is also a food systems educator for youth and adults, and has experience facilitating popular education workshops at 4-H Youth Development. As a longtime gardener, Claudia has recently experimented with growing Andean crops from her homeland, such as aji amarillo and huacatay. She is passionate about Andean cultures, indigenous agricultural knowledge, food sovereignty, and the well-being of our planet. Most recently, she began the Master Composter program at the Queens Botanical Garden.