We are the St. Louis-based chapter of the Ecological Society of America SEEDS (Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity and Sustainability) program for undergraduate students at St. Louis area institutions of higher education.
The SEEDS program is aimed at engaging students from marginalized and underrepresented backgrounds (in STEM) in hands-on opportunities and experiences in ecology and environmental sciences.
Meet our Chapter Leaders!
Sam Ko
(she/her)
WashU Environmental Biology
Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN
Role: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
I hope to spread SEEDS to other areas of St. Louis as well as making outdoor spaces more inclusive and diverse through SEEDS. I'd like to get involved in projects that introduce people without prior outdoors experience to outdoor activities.
Juliana Morera
(she/they)
WashU Environmental Analysis and Anthropology GHE
Hometown: Naples, FL
Role: Chapter Representative to ESA
I'd like to get involved in projects that support people of diverse and marginalized backgrounds in ecologically related academic work and in natural spaces, where they may not have had access to before.
Diana Schwartz
(she/her)
SLU Environmental Studies
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Role: Community Engagement and Representative to Saint Louis University
I hope to get SLU people more involved in ecology and to break the SLU bubble.
Anisah Dowell
(she/her)
WashU Environmental Biology and Anthropology GHE
Hometown: Smyrna, TN
Role: Co-Programming
I hope we can make SEEDS an enjoyable experience for students all over St. Louis. I also hope to make environmental spaces more diverse.
Matt Andrews
(he/him)
St. Louis Community College Biology
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Role: Community Engagement and Representative to St. Louis Community College
I hope to get more involved in making the environmental community in STL more accessible, and to show highschoolers that they are welcome in environmental sciences!
Bethany Deffenbaugh
(she/her)
UMSL Biology and Conservation
Hometown: Waterloo, IL
Role: Community Engagement and Representative to University of Missouri-St. Louis
I hope to find a sense of belonging in this community and help others feel the same way.
goals for the chapter
Build a city-wide network of young adults passionate about the environment
Provide opportunities for professional advancement and personal growth
Create a fun, safe, supportive environment for those with marginalized identities
Programming that helps you envision yourself as an environmental professional post-graduation
Help us grow by connecting to our socials!
Culture of SEEDS STL
Nurturing and supportive of your future and ambitions in ecology/environmental professions
Understanding of the unique challenges that POC, LGBTQIA+, and marginalized people face in the field
Committed to diversifying environmental spaces and amplifying perspectives of POC, LGBTQIA+ folx, and those from marginalized backgrounds
Increasing access to and connecting students with opportunities to broaden knowledge of career paths and areas of growth in the field of ecology
Vision
Professional Growth/Opportunities
Co-programming with WashU green groups
Attending conferences, ESA annual meetings, and ESA SEEDS field trips
Attending WashU’s Fall and Spring Undergraduate Research Symposia
Connecting you with mentorship, funding, and other resources for pre-professional ecology endeavors
Community-Building/Social Programming
Mixers
with other STL colleges/universities
with grad/PhD students and faculty
Hiking and kayaking trips
Chat spaces
Possible Spring Retreat
Founding Chapter Leaders
Chapter Sponsors
Lawton Blanchard
(she/her)
WashU Environmental Biology ‘22
Hometown: Yukon, OK
I hope SEEDS STL provides a space for students interested in ecology and enviro-sciences to see themselves represented and show that they are welcome and can have a future in this field.
Kayla Wallace
(she/her)
WashU Environmental Biology ‘22
Hometown: Florissant, MO
I hope to see SEEDS STL develop into a supportive community where students can grow in their environmental passions and goals, together.
Rachel Penczykowski
(she/her)
Associate Professor of Biology
Biology Department, WashU
Hometown: Madison, WI
Degrees: BS in Biology and Music Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, PhD in Biology from Georgia Tech
I'm excited for this chapter to help students connect with each other and find opportunities and resources to explore their passions in ecology during their undergraduate careers and beyond.
Susan Flowers
(she/her)
Education/Outreach/DEAI Coordinator
Tyson Research Center, WashU
Hometown: University City, MO
Degrees: BA in Biology and Environmental Studies from Grinnell College, MA in Biology from WashU
I am passionate about helping emerging ecologists explore possible career paths in the natural world. This chapter is designed to do exactly that!
