Meridith McAvoy Perkins
Forest ReLeaf of Missouri
St. Louis, MO USA
"When you feel overwhelmed or need inspiration, go for a walk among the trees."
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Meridith's work combines: Environment & Nature, Non-Profit Organizations, and Upholding a Cause and Belief
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
There are so many pathways to enter into the field of urban forestry. 20 years ago, forestry was the logical place to start. Now we know the skill set for professionals in the field can be found in diverse programs like environmental science, planning, community development, horticulture, etc. No one way is best.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Forestry
University of Missouri-Columbia
Certification
Certified Arborist Municipal Specialist
International Society of Arboriculture
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
While none of my family had any background in nature, I could tell growing up that I felt happier and more grounded at the nearby park.
2.
In high school, I started getting more involved with science and nature by taking biology classes and joining the environmental club.
3.
When I got to college, I didn’t want to keep taking biology but I was interested in learning more about trees, so I decided to major in forestry.
4.
After college, I consciously shaped my career toward urban forestry because I knew I preferred the community of a city over rural life.
5.
I started my career in urban forestry consulting, doing tree inventories across the region I was in.
6.
I moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, and ran the urban forestry program for the Utah Department of Natural Resources for about 10 years.
7.
I eventually decided to move my family back home to St. Louis, Missouri, and used my professional network to get back into consulting.
8.
After six years doing management plans and upper level consulting for municipal government, I took on the role of executive director at Forest ReLeaf.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
I don't know how to do this. I've never done this before. I don't have enough experience.
How I responded:
It's very uncomfortable to take on something that you haven't done before. For example, I didn't think I knew anything about managing a nonprofit when I took on my current role. It's scary to take leaps like that. You just have to calm down and accept that it may be uncomfortable for a while as you adapt, but you'll come out the other end so much stronger. You'll learn so much about yourself and what you can do. Then you can take that experience and put it toward the next new and scary thing.