Guest Presenter: Mary Gutierrez, BS, MPA, CPH, environmental professional, advocate, and community leader. Human beings share an intrinsic relationship with nature, relying on it for the essentials of life—clean air, water, food, and shelter—while also finding inspiration, healing, and cultural meaning in natural spaces. This connection is both practical and spiritual, shaping our identities, communities, and traditions. Yet, as we alter ecosystems and strain the planet’s resources, the balance of this relationship is threatened. Rebuilding and honoring our connection to nature is essential not only for environmental sustainability but also for human well-being and resilience.

In 2008, Mary Gutierrez  founded Earth Ethics, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to environmental justice and education, followed by Earth Action, Inc., a 501(c)(4) advancing advocacy and policy reform.