Nalleli Hidalgo

Biography

Nalleli Hidalgo is a Texas native, born and raised in the city of Houston. First-generation Houstonian and college graduate with parents from Mexico. Her years of working with various local and federal entities such as Houston Independent School District, Texas A&M Forest Service, the United States Forest Service, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. She believes that everyone deserves a healthy and equitable environment, regardless of their race, culture, social or economic level. She is the co-founder of the Woodsy Owl Conservation Corps, a conservation corps that focuses on creating the next generation of conservation leaders while integrating conservation messages through service learning, place-based learning, peer to peer teaching and learning.

The WOCC Houston chapter first piloted the program in 2015 and it now serves as a national model for youth in other cities and countries. She served as an outreach specialist for Texas A&M Forest Service and conducted numerous placed-based programs in Houston and surrounding public lands for elementary and high school students. In collaboration with Furr High School, she led and facilitated Career Technical Education projects as a CTE proctor for 5 years, and Green Ambassador for their green spaces, conducting community-based programs and outreach. Her work alongside Texas A&M Forest Service and public schools led her to receive the Texas A&M AgriLife Vice Chancellor’s Award for implementing innovative, bilingual education programs that connect thousands of urban, underserved, limited English proficiency audiences with opportunities for inclusion in natural resources stewardship.  As a community organizer Nalleli is engaged with local civic associations and local government bodies working on local advocacy efforts.