Martha Lopez-Salazar
Biology
Naturalist
Phone:
(773) 442-5735
Email:
m-lopez32@neiu.edu
Office Hours:
Please email m-lopez32@neiu.edu or call (773) 442-5735 to arrange to meet or speak with Martha.
Expertise
Natural Areas Management
Education
B.S. in Biology, Å·²©ÓÎÏ·¹ÙÍø Illinois University
Background
Born in Celaya, Guanajuato, and raised in Chicago, I recently graduated with a bachelor's in Biology from Å·²©ÓÎÏ·¹ÙÍø I always knew I wanted to major in biology but didn’t know what to do with the degree. Luckily a friend pointed me toward working with youth in nature for the Student Conservation Association. Later, I joined SCA’s All Women Crew and after four years spent a season leading restoration projects for the Chicago Park District. My current role is Naturalist for Gensburg-Markham Prairie, a 100-acre tallgrass prairie remnant that is an Illinois Nature Preserve and a National Natural Landmark.
Additional Information
I am passionate about equitable access to nature. I hope to use my community engagement experience to bring more visitors to Gensburg-Markham Prairie from the surrounding communities and from across the city. I enjoy connecting with people and building bridges between communities of color and nature. I am very happy to have joined the Biology Department's team to preserve the prairie and include different groups of people in the process.