Serena Echols is an environmental scientist and anthropologist passionate about placemaking, placekeeping, and justice for minority and marginalized communities. Originally from Chicago, Serena is an advocate for the environment and environmental justice who works to foster a deep understanding of the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature. She graduated from Spelman College in 2023 with a B.S. in Environmental Science. Her undergraduate research includes invasive species removal, forest restoration, sustainability, and capturing the stories of underrepresented spaces to enact tangible change. Serena’s current graduate research emphasizes the importance of community engagement and collaborative design between researchers and community members during green infrastructure interventions.