JAXSON MACK
A dedicated and passionate conservationist who is committed to increasing public engagement and environmental restoration.
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.
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
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
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.
CERTIFICATIONS
ISA CERTIFIED FORESTER
Current- December 31, 2024
GAME OF LOGGING
Level 1 & 2
AUDUBON ENDORSED FORESTER
May 2022- continual
AWARDS
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.
FUN FACTS
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."
"Trees fall with spectacular crashes. But planting is silent and growth is invisible"
Richard Powers - The Overstory
