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JAXSON MACK

A dedicated and passionate conservationist who is committed to increasing public engagement and environmental restoration.

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Forest

ABOUT JAX

Jax's story
(He,Him,His)

Jax is a charismatic and innovative conservation biologist who is passionate about increasing community involvement and forest restoration. He has created national environmental initiatives, organized large volunteer teams, worked to rebuild forests, and spoken to diverse stakeholder communities. He is especially committed to building healthy forested habitat for migratory species and people alike. 


Currently, Jax conducts ecological restoration projects to protect the forests of Rye NY. Previosuly, he managed tree planting programs for the Chesapeake Bay and addressed environmental injustices as an Urban Forester. As an Assistant Director, Jax created national upcycle programs,  Leave No Trace trainings , and began the orginazation's first environmental committee. While working for the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, he guided landowners to foster better ecosystems on their own properties and worked with Title I schools around the country to implement scientific tools for research. During his graduate studies at the University of Rhode Island, Jax directed conservation efforts with the Nature Conservancy to protect genetic heritage of mammals on surrounding islands. He has developed a wide and unique set of skills, perfect for tackling large conservation issues.

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SKILLS

HARD SKILLS

Arc GIS
R Statistics
Salesforce

SOFT SKILLS

Leadership
Outreach
Communications

SOCIAL MEDIA

Buffer
Digital Photography
MailChimp

CONSERVATION

Biological Surveying 
Conservation Management
Community Science

Home: List

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

July 2022- Current

DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION AND LAND STEWARD


FRIENDS OF RYE NATURE CENTER

❑ Ensures the building and grounds of  Rye Nature Center are safe and  accessible for visitors and program  participants.

❑ Leads and manages permanent and  seasonal conservation staff and   volunteers on land stewardship and  building/grounds maintenance.

❑ Identifies and assesses  environmental issues impacting the Rye Nature Center.

❑ Uses innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools, and frameworks to address the natural eco-system and habitat needs of all 47-acres.

❑ Defines, strategically plans, and implements conservation priorities for the organization.

❑ Manages, develops, and implements all ecological restoration and conservation projects.

❑ Works with the Board of Directors’ Grounds and Conservation Committee determining funding.

❑ Develops and maintains key partnerships with public and private organizations to identify and resolve conservation issues and to widely communicate solutions and best practices.

❑ Acquires proposals and participates in the selection and management of third-party contractors as needed.

❑ Manages all citizen science programs at the Nature Center.

October 2020-June 2022

URBAN FORESTER

❑ Manages planting initiatives funded through public or private sources
❑ Fields planting requests guidelines; submits procurement requests; schedules planting of tree(s,
❑ Assists the Director of Tree Planting and Urban Forestry Manager with program monitoring, evaluation of planted trees, maintenance needs, and program enhancement
❑ Responds to public inquiries, conducts community outreach, teaches classes and assists with various organization-wide activities and events.
❑ Maintains and cultivates relationships with individuals, organizations and groups to engage, educate and involve them in Casey Trees’ mission; attends community meetings to promote CT activities and events
❑ Provides support for trainings, classes, workshops, tours, demonstrations, etc.

 ❑Collaborates across the organization to execute grants, contracts, programs and activities

March 2020-October 2020

COMMUNICATIONS FELLOW

THE ROCK CREEK CONSERVANCY

❑ Support planning and coordination for socially-distant stewardship and recreate responsibly campaign
❑ Create draft social media content and resultant analytics
❑ Conduct outreach to create organizational partnerships

March 2019- Current

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

EARTH TREKS 

❑ Mentor and train 82 direct team members
❑ Manage Retail buying and inventory for gear, clothing, and food items
❑ Manage yearly budgets and hiring
❑ Created national green initiatives: zero waste Terracycle and gear upcylcle program
❑ leader for Diversity/Equity/Inclusion program

March 2018- March 2019

SHIFT SUPERVISOR

EARTH TREKS

❑ Managed employees on the floor during business hours
❑ Mentored team members and created first ever environmental committee
❑ Taught climbing and outdoor safety courses

March 2015- March 2018

FIELD BIOLOGIST/ LEAD EDUCATOR

SMITHSONIAN MIGRATORY BIRD CENTER

❑ Managed a citizen science program for underserved communities in order to help conserve avian species and educate the public on conservation issues
❑ Helped write grant proposals and scientific literature
❑ Developed communication through social media posts to motivate participants.
❑ Organized educational demonstrations for schools and programs involving large audiences.
❑ Trained dozens of technicians and volunteers involved with educational demonstrations
❑ Built long standing friendships with citizen scientists and stakeholders

March 2017- March 2018

DATA MANAGER

SMITHSONIAN MIGRATORY BIRD CENTER

❑ Managed a large database of field research information
❑ Helped develop the first every banding station at the National Zoo
❑ Trained volunteers and worked alongside public scientists

Home: CV

EDUCATION

September 2013- December 2014
The University of Rhode Island 
Magna Cum Laude

MASTERS OF SCIENCE: CONSERVATION BIOLOGY

Thesis: Genetic Comparisons of the Block Island Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus provectus) to the Mainland Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) Based on Mitochondrial DNA

June 2012- June 2013
Hamline University

MASTERS CERTIFICATE: OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Year long program focused on immersive teaching experiences.

August 2008- May 2012
Ursinus College

BACHELORS OF THE ARTS: ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Thesis: Native Pennsylvania Plants with Cultural and Subsistence histories

September 2011- December 2011
The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and George Mason University

SMITHSONIAN MASON SCHOOL OF CONSERVATION

A residential semester focused on conservation biology and field studies alongside prominent researchers.

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CERTIFICATIONS

ISA CERTIFIED FORESTER

International Society of Aboriculture

Certification ID: MA-6461A

Current- December 31, 2024

AUDUBON ENDORSED FORESTER

Creating a national network of professional foresters working in partnership with Audubon to promote healthy forest ecosystems that provide high-quality habitat for priority bird species, at scale.

May 2022- continual

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AWARDS

Trees and Mountains
Clear Water Lake

ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP NATIONAL FELLOW 2020

ELP's National Fellowship Program offers intensive leadership and skills training, national networking opportunities, and time for personal and professional reflection. Through immersive virtual sessions, our curriculum helps emerging leaders hone their leadership styles, improve their strategy and organizational development, and strengthen their outreach to diverse constituencies.

WILD GIFT 2020

Each year, Wild Gift selects a group of environmental entrepreneurs for a fellowship rooted in wilderness-based programs that develop leadership and business skills while building a lifelong support network.

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WRITING SAMPLES

Download Now

BLOG POST

SCIENTIFIC SUMMARIES

GRANT WRITING

MASTERS THESIS

JEDI MATERIALS

FOREST RESTORATION GIS

URBAN GIS

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FUN FACTS

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ROCK CLIMBING

Jax is an avid rock climber with experience in trad and sport climbing throughout the U.S. He enjoys mixing his passions of climbing and conservation.

VOLUNTEER

Jax volunteers for a local chapter of the Access fund called Mid Atlantic Climbers as well as the Rock Creek Conservancy. He also volunteers as a mentor at The University of Rhode Island's innovation lab.

ORNITHOLOGY

Jax is a bonefied bird nerd and can often be found discussing bird facts with friends. He has also helped run rehabilitation centers, was a falconer, and often did raptor presentations.

MUSIC

Jax has composed numerous piano pieces and loves to collaborate with other musicians.

COMMUNITY SCIENCE

Community science not only provides critical data for scientists, but education and a greater connection to nature as well. It is for this reason that Jax participates in, runs, and helps progress CS initiatives.

JEDI

Jax is hugely passionate about and advocates for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. He fights to give a voice to those who are marginalized.

TESTIMONIALS

"It has been clear from day one how truly
passionate he is about the environment and he has shown great ability to rally others to support a cause."

"He is an authentic leader with a wide variety of skills and just an all-around good person that I have
been lucky enough to collaborate with, laugh with, and share big goals with at work."

"He has demonstrated the ability to dream big as well as realistically lay out a plan to achieve a dream. With
ingenuity and a constant motivation, he has pushed through hurdles to make our community better."

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"Trees fall with spectacular crashes. But planting is silent and growth is invisible"

Richard Powers - The Overstory

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CONTACT

  • LinkedIn

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