About

Kerissa Fuccillo Battle is a research ecologist, community-science activist and writer focused on biological impacts of climate change and spirit of place. She believes that ecological storytelling and ceremony can bring us closer to our birthright, our collective roots as earth-language speakers and keen observers of the natural world. Kerissa lives in the Catksill Mountains of New York with her beloved partner, two feral children and a dog that likes to chase rocks in the creek. When she is isn't in the woods or the garden, she is likely writing or making medicine in her potting shed/apothecary, playing music or swing dancing.

Professional Work

Kerissa is also a not-for-profit entrepreneur and strategic advisor with extensive experience conceptualizing and developing initiatives for organizational impact, especially within networked organizations. She understands the links that are possible between the public and private sector and has skillfully bridged the divide between academia and entrepreneurship. An accomplished lecturer, she has also developed, evaluated and implemented science, environmental and teacher training programs in multiple university, K-12 and community education settings. Her work as a creative mentor and backcountry field guide brings innovative methodology and technique to her facilitation work in NGO and corporate settings, most recently at PBS, Northeastern University and The American Council on Education.

In 2014 she founded the 501c3 Community Greenways Collaborative with a mission "to build resilient social-ecological networks by catalyzing community science research, education and greenspace initiatives that restore ecosystem services compromised by global change." This work has led to the founding of the largest community-based plant-pollinator monitoring network in NY (nyphenologyproject.org). Recent consulting engagements have included work with The National Wildlife Federation, The US National Park Service, The National Phenology Network and The Cary Institute for Ecosystem Studies.

Prior to her work with CGC, Kerissa served as Director of Education and Research at The Ashokan Center in Olivebridge, NY; an NSF PhD Research Fellow at Portland State University; an NSF grant-funded Project Manager at UC Davis; Program Coordinator at the Siskiyou Environmental Education Center; a Teacher at the Wilderness Charter School in Southern Oregon; and a Backcountry Field Instructor for multiple expedition companies. She founded and directed the Guitar Circle Music and Mentoring Program LLC, a private business devoted to creating a safe space for teens adults to be creative.