From Visitor to Advocate:

Understanding Challenges & Raising Your Voice

The White House in Washington, D.C. Image credit: © Orhancam/Dreamstime

Event Details:

For many of us, visiting national parks is a transformative experience. From the striking landscapes, unique wildlife and formative history they protect, our parks have the power to educate and inspire those who pass through their gates. But while our parks are timeless, they still face uncertain times.

On February 24, join us for a virtual Park Talk to learn about the current state of our national parks and the challenges they face, like how staffing shortages impact parks and their rangers, as well as how you can use your voice to make a difference. You’ll also hear from an NPCA staff member about her experiences as a park ranger and the vital role of park staff in fostering safe, educational experiences for visitors. In this free event hosted via Zoom, attendees will also have the opportunity to have their questions answered by NPCA’s staff of experts.

Event Details
WHEN: Monday, February 24 from 7:00 – 8:00 PM ET
WHERE: Online via Zoom; a link will be provided upon RSVP
 

RSVP

Featured Speakers:

Christina Hazard, Legislative Director, Government Affairs

Christina Hazard joined NPCA in 2006 and is the Legislative Director for the Government Affairs team. Christina’s policy portfolio at NPCA includes safeguarding national parks along the U.S.-Mexico border, ensuring the continued protection of national monuments and the Antiquities Act, and defending against attacks to national park wildlife and the Endangered Species Act. She employs a variety of tactics, including direct lobbying on Capitol Hill, participating in coalitions, developing educational materials and ensuring engagement opportunities for the general public. She has supported NPCA’s work to build coalitions around the National Park Service centennial and developed relationships with key allies. Christina has a Master of Public Policy degree and a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs degree from The George Washington University and spent a semester studying at Corvinus University in Budapest, Hungary.

Larissa Walker, Director of Outreach & Engagement

As the Director of Outreach and Engagement, Larissa helps to lead the organization's efforts to deepen our work with communities and partners across the country as we focus on building a more just, equitable, diverse and inclusive park advocacy community. Larissa works closely with NPCA's regional staff to engage younger audiences in national park advocacy as well as support our growing Veterans Program.

Larissa has worked on a variety of environmental policy issues in previous roles, ranging from wildlife conservation to advocating for clean water and the need to build a healthier food system. Prior to joining NPCA in 2017, Larissa was a program director and policy analyst for a national sustainable agriculture organization. Larissa holds an M.A. in Environmental Policy and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Philosophy.

Jennifer Quintero, Everglades Fellow

Jennifer Quintero is an environmental advocate and educator dedicated to fostering connections between people and the natural world. With extensive experience as a park ranger at iconic national parks like Everglades and Yosemite, she has developed and led interactive educational and interpretive programs that engage diverse audiences. She believes hands-on learning is the most powerful way to inspire curiosity and a deeper appreciation for nature.

Recently graduated with a master’s degree in environmental science at Florida International University, Jennifer was a research assistant studying migratory bird trends in South Florida. She now focuses on addressing conservation challenges in federal lands and advocating for greater inclusion in outdoor spaces. As the Everglades Fellow for NPCA, this is especially true for South Florida's parks. Even on her days off, she can be found exploring trails, enthusiastically sharing her knowledge of the plants and birds she encounters with anyone interested.