Summary
I work within complex, interactive and multidisciplinary systems that impact communities and their well-being. With an influx of solar project permit applications in Nevada facing moratoriums and public resistance, I work to find solutions (such as agrivoltaics) and tools (such as community benefit agreements) that address sustainability across lands, communities, and industries. Agrivoltaics is a dual land use strategy where farming and/or ranching occur under solar panel arrays. This strategy can help our agricultural industry retain farmers and ranchers while also expanding land available for new farmers and ranchers to enter production. It also co-prioritizes solar energy generation to encourage project deployment that supports state renewable energy goals. There are many benefits, beyond simply generating food and electricity. Agrivoltaic projects reduce irrigation requirements to support water conservation efforts, engage in land stewardship, promote social use and demonstrate a synergetic relationship between the solar panels and plant growth that make this exciting and meaningful work. I investigate how these systems can potentially benefit our frontier communities and the barriers to deploying these projects across Nevada.
At the core of my work is a passion to develop people: children, adults, families, communities and organizations. I view social and community infrastructure as a “limiting factor” to their engagement with research and state-wide initiatives, including economic development, renewable energy project deployment, and conservation efforts. This urban-rural-frontier-tribal connection demonstrates our interdependence, as rural-frontier-tribal communities rely on urban centers to deploy technical expertise and resources to help them increase their community capacity and engagement.
I have developed diverse programs across the lifespan, including mental health and crisis intervention services for children, families and schools; youth development; early childhood education; adult education (skill development, continuing education, higher education); business development (vision development, strategic planning, group facilitation); and public health.
I strive to inspire others to broaden their knowledge, skills and influence to increase their value at work, home and within the community. Operating from the belief that synergy is at the core of all meaningful and sustainable community partnerships, I take pride in bringing diverse voices together, developing consensus and working strategically to achieve goals – and to make our little part of the world a better place.
