During my Master’s in Conservation Leadership capstone, I partnered with Bluff Lake Nature Center in Denver, Colorado, to address a pressing local water quality challenge. Bluff Lake relies heavily on stormwater runoff from surrounding urban neighborhoods to maintain its water levels. A 2022 water quality study revealed that phosphorus-based fertilizers from nearby residential landscaping were entering the lake through storm drains, contributing to nutrient overload and harmful algal blooms via eutrophication.

In response, Bluff Lake Nature Center sought to use strategic communication to engage nearby residents in adopting more sustainable landscaping practices. I collaborated closely with the Bluff Lake team to develop a communications plan that translates complex environmental science into clear, actionable messaging for the surrounding community. The project reflects my broader interest in using storytelling and strategic communication to connect people to place-based conservation solutions.