Hi! I’m Nayeli Perez and I’m a fellow for the Delaware River Watershed based in Tacony Creek Park through the Alliance for Watershed Education. I was born and raised in Philadelphia, for the most part in Lawncrest, and I went to elementary school in the area so the creek was always just a short walk away.
The summer before entering high school, I had the privilege of participating in the Women in Natural Sciences program. Because of WINS, I was able to work in the Live Animal Center and Outside In at the Academy of Natural Sciences which helped me become more comfortable around animals and (somewhat) get over my fear of insects. Through WINS, I was also able to travel to Maine and participate in the High School Advanced Marine Biology program on Hurricane Island. The biggest takeaway from this amazing experience was the need for environmental education, especially in underserved communities who are often on the front lines of environmental issues.
It was also through WINS that I learned about TTF. In the short time that I’ve been with TTF, I’ve been able to learn so much about the city’s history with water and how it relates to the community. Looking forward, I’m excited to meet the fellows from other locations and look at the bigger picture of our watershed.
