Meet Alejandra Narvaez

What is your job title and what do you do at the Trustees?

I am the Trustees’ Coastal Project Manager. I manage coastal ecological restoration projects, including salt marsh restoration and barrier beach resilience, as part of the Ecology (Coast and Natural Resources) team at the Trustees.

What brought you to the Trustees? How long have you been here?

I’ve been with the Trustees for just over a year, transitioning from a watershed association focused on social climate resilience in urban communities. While I’m passionate about that work, my background in ecology led me to seek projects that emphasize ecological restoration and habitat resilience. I also resonate with the Trustees’ mission to connect people with nature and educate them on the importance of environmental stewardship.

What is one of your favorite projects you have worked on or are working on currently?

While I’m excited about all our restoration projects, our salt marsh restoration at World’s End stands out to me. This pilot project tests two new techniques for salt marsh restoration within a tidal flat on the Trustees’ property. The Trustees has been a leader in salt marsh restoration on the North Shore, and this initiative on the South Shore demonstrates our commitment to innovation. We hope these techniques can then be applied throughout the region to protect and enhance saltmarsh habitat beyond Trustees property.

What are you excited about that the Trustees is working on?

I’m thrilled about the wildlife monitoring and resilience planning my team is undertaking. Coastal Ecologists Shea Fee and Jeff Denoncour recently completed a successful shorebird monitoring season, which is a vital annual effort. To enhance climate resilience, our Lead Inland Ecologist Julie Richburg is conducting a Climate Vulnerability Assessment of our inland habitats. This follows our Coastal Climate Vulnerability Assessment from 2017 and will help prioritize resilience and restoration efforts for vulnerable habitats. Additionally, I’m excited about the Trustees’ commitment to decarbonization, aiming to reduce our carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 while offsetting emissions through restoration work.

Do you have a favorite property?

It’s a tie between Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge on Nantucket and World’s End in Hingham!

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

This month is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the contributions of Hispanic and Latin American individuals in our work and daily lives, as well as our cultural impact in the U.S. As someone in ecology and restoration, I’m encouraged to see increasing Hispanic representation in fields historically lacking diversity, especially in the environmental sector. While I didn’t grow up observing Hispanic Heritage Month in Colombia, I appreciate the chance to learn about and honor the traditions of other Hispanic and Latin American communities in the U.S.

Why is it important to you that the Trustees celebrate Hispanic Heritage?

As an organization that welcomes diverse visitors to our properties, it’s essential for us to honor their traditions and make them feel recognized and included.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?

I love cooking, practicing yoga, and spending as much time outdoors as possible—both on the coast and inland—usually with my husband and two pups, Leo and Enzo!