Our Staff
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Lauren Zappone Maples
Executive Director Lauren co-founded PEAS Community Farm & Urban Orchard at Cunningham Elementary in 2011 and became the founding executive director of PEAS in 2015. Prior to leading PEAS, she was a classroom teacher with Austin ISD. Lauren also worked as environmental educator for the City of Austin and taught as an adjunct professor at 2 local universities. Lauren received multiple awards for her work centered around place-based outdoor and edible education including the John F. Ahrns Award for Environmental Education from the Westcave Discovery Center 2014 and 2021, the Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching Grant and Fulbright Alumni Grant (which allowed her to spend a semester studying place-based outdoor education in New Zealand and study school garden programs in the US), and the SlowFood USA Snailblazer Award for school garden education. Her research has been highly influential in the development of school day programs, community initiatives, and the long-range organizational goals of PEAS. Lauren currently serves on Austin ISD's Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee and the Central Texas School Garden Network's Leadership Team. |
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Molly Jensen
Director of Development Molly stayed in school as long as she could, completing both a Master’s and Ph.D from Vanderbilt University with a focus on environmental ethics and justice. She moved with her family to Austin more than twenty years ago and immediately got involved in sustainable agriculture. She chaired the launch of the first downtown Austin Farmers Market and worked with the Sustainable Food Center to expand access to local farm produce and school garden programs. For nearly a decade after that she was a university professor and advisor to a thriving campus farm. Molly’s experiences of teaching with and in the campus farm inspired her to start a collaboration with university professors across the South to develop and share pedagogies of place, rooted in nature-based learning. She left academia, inspiring students and beloved campus farm and joined the national staff of the Sierra Club to raise awareness and funding for environmental learning, care and equity across the Southcentral U.S. As the new PEAS Director of Development, Molly has returned to her happy place of nurturing local land-based learning and connection. She and her husband have raised their two children in Austin and as they near the “empty nest” stage of life, she is excited to become part of the devoted, creative and fun “pod” of PEAS. |
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Jackie Vay Outdoor Programs Manager Jackie is a graduate from St. Edward’s University, with a B.S. in Environmental Science & Policy. Around her schooling she has had the opportunity to work for a number of grassroots non-profits and environmental agencies here in Austin. She loved leading outdoor youth experiences through canoeing, kayaking, and snorkeling trips during her time with the Texas River School. After graduating she worked for the local groundwater District and city’s Resource Recovery Department to educate all ages in natural resource conservation and zero-waste practices. Before finding PEAS (and pre-covid times), Jackie spent her free time volunteering teaching garden classes to students at the Becker Elementary Green Classroom. Her love for the outdoors comes from her childhood growing up in Austin and appreciating all the green spaces this city has to offer. A favorite highlight of teaching for her is being able to help students conquer a fear, or master a hands-on concept in the outdoors. Michael Griffin Outdoor Programs Manager Mike is an army veteran, has a B.S. in Restaurant, Hotel, and Institutional Management from Texas Tech, and a M.Ed in Educational Leadership from Texas State. He served as an educator for 20 years in the roles of teacher and assistant principal. As a former Cunningham Elementary teacher, Mike was an original PEAS Community Farm member and participating teacher. When Mike left Cunningham he continued following PEAS. He is now back in what he feels is a pure teaching environment that feeds the soul where he will use his lifelong love of learning to share his knowledge surrounding the garden and kitchen to lead PEAS' staff and engage students in nature based and culinary learning.
Nancy Zepeda Kitchen Program Manager Nancy is certified in clinical herbalism from the Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine and has experience teaching kids and adults about nature and medicinal plants. She is a certified community yoga instructor from the Amala Foundation; she infuses mindfulness practices into her personal life and professional life. As a trained facilitator, she has worked closely with other facilitators and AISD's Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) team to provide mindfulness training to principals, teachers, parents, and students across the district. Her love of nature and the outdoors has taken her to Hawaii, California, Mexico, and Guatemala to study different sustainability and farming methods. Nancy brings a peaceful and culturally competent perspective to the work she does and the interactions she has. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and dancing salsa! Lauren Reneé Salinas-Garcia Outdoor Education Specialist Lauren Reneé is a 5th generation native of San Marcos, Tx. She currently lives in an eco-village where she is an animal caretaker. Her true passion lies in education and youth advocacy. She has experience working in nursery schools, summer camps, elementary and high schools. In 2015 she transitioned from an early childcare center into youth services with the Parks & Rec Department in San Marcos. Over the next few years, her path led her to work as a Teacher's Assistant for AISD. This experience invigorated her passion for Outdoor Education. Lauren Reneé believes one thing that remains constant, is the human necessity for deep connection with Nature and the equanimity this provides. Her core mission is to provide children an equitable and empowering environment with opportunities to explore, discover and create, in harmony with Nature and community. Which is why she is thrilled to start this journey with PEAS! |
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Matthew Garland Outdoor Education Specialist Matthew Garland is a former AISD teacher, a school garden collaborator and the founder of the Nearby Naturalists nature program. His love of nature began as a child, exploring the ditches and bayous of his neighborhood in Houston. His mother established a protocol that he must always present new turtles and snakes for inspection at the front door, before bringing them into the house. A childhood filled with nature-based learning eventually led him to education. As a teacher at Zilker elementary, he helped to organize and establish a campus vegetable garden. He created a series of outdoor lessons for use in the garden and helped to facilitate the Garden to Cafe program at his campus. He also developed a sustainable classroom model that included composting, water capture and outdoor learning areas. In 2021, he founded Nearby Naturalists to help connect children with nature right where they live. He joined the PEAS staff to help implement grant projects. He lives in south Austin with his spouse and two daughters, a dog named Shelby and quite a few chickens. Mariana "Mo'' Bonilla Outdoor Education Specialist Mariana is passionate about nature, agriculture, and education. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies at the New College of Florida. Her experience working for several small organic farms and non-profits in Central Texas has provided her with a well-rounded perspective on our local food system, with a specialized focus on food justice. Mariana is a trained Clinical Herbalist through the Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine where she teaches classes on the weekends. Mariana also currently serves as Treasurer for the Central Texas Young Farmers Coalition. She's excited to empower our youth through education about the natural world! Andre Sanchez
Outdoor Education Specialist in Training Andre is currently studying at Austin Community College. He hopes to work towards a degree that will help him pursue his passion for creating more cyclical communities. His love for Earth and wanting to create a more just food system has led him to help three Austin households design, construct, and maintain their own home gardens. These gardens are being built using waste found around Austin, so nothing is being purchased. Andre also enjoys working with kids. He is an assistant instructor at Kuk Sool Won, teaching within the Tiny Tiger Program. With his true passion being to teach communities how to better love the Earth, he thought working with PEAS would be a great opportunity. Andre is excited to work with PEAS and help them pursue their mission in cultivating joyful connections with the natural world! |
Our Board
Our board is committed to being an informed, engaged, and diverse Board with roles that use the strengths of the individual Board members to provide oversight of financial and program alignment with mission, and contribute financially.
Steven Morris - Board Chair
Steven Morris is the STEM Instructional coach and Outdoor Learning Specialist at an Elementary school in Southeast Austin. Throughout his 8 years of service to AISD, Steven has been a leading educator in connecting academic success to hands-on outdoor learning in communities throughout east and southeast Austin. PEAS was an early partner in his classroom and, as a board member, he is looking forward to continuing the promotion and support of all students' outdoor bill of rights across central Texas.
Elijah Kelley - Interim Board Treasurer
Elijah is an experienced leader at the intersection of strategy, operations, and finance. He has held multiple managerial positions in software firms, most recently serving as Senior VP, Strategy & Business Development for the innovation arm of a large healthcare system. Elijah advises multiple startups, consults on market research and strategy, and is a mentor for Texas Health Catalyst. He holds an M.S. in Technology Commercialization from UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business and a B.A. in English from the College of William and Mary.
Colleen Ketchum - Board Secretary
Gardening and cooking have always gone hand in hand for Colleen. Growing up, she had an active hand both in her mother's garden and in the kitchen, whipping up sugary treats often for friends and family. A former pastry chef, Colleen worked closely with urban farms like Hausbar Farm to procure fresh, hyper local produce for new restaurant dishes. She has also taught an after-school cooking class for elementary students with Sticky Fingers Cooking, bringing fresh ingredients and culturally specific recipes to young audiences. Watching kids grow and learn through hands-on activities is her favorite part about teaching. Currently, Colleen is an Account Executive for PRECISIONeffect, helping clients in the healthcare space "change the standard of care" by developing and executing successful PR strategies to elevate their important work.
Anne Muller - Board Member
Anne is the Outdoor Learning Specialist for the Austin Independent School District. She is passionate about creating systems to help green our school yards, empowering teachers to take their lessons outdoors, and connecting children to nature. Anne has been with Austin ISD for 12 years as both teacher and now Outdoor Learning Specialist. She got her BA in American Studies at Mount Holyoke College and her MA in Science Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas, Arlington. Anne is also a mother of two and loves spending time outside with her family.
Margaret Terronez - Board Member
Margaret is a social worker who has worked in government service and administration for over 17 years. She was instrumental in raising funds to build the infrastructure for PEAS Community Farm, and she and her two children have been active volunteers since it was started in 2011. Margaret started on the farm leadership committee transitioned to our nonprofit board when PEAS became an official 501c3 in 2015. She is passionate about being part of a community based organization that educates children and assists schools in agricultural and sustainability.
Bekah Mata - Board Member
Bekah moved to Austin in 2008 to attend the University of Texas at Austin. She graduated with a BBA in Management, a BA in Plan II, and a JD. After law school, Bekah worked as a misdemeanor prosecutor for six years. She is now serving the community as a felony prosecutor at the District Attorney’s office. Bekah lives in east Austin with her fiancé. They have four chickens and love spending time outdoors.
Steven Morris is the STEM Instructional coach and Outdoor Learning Specialist at an Elementary school in Southeast Austin. Throughout his 8 years of service to AISD, Steven has been a leading educator in connecting academic success to hands-on outdoor learning in communities throughout east and southeast Austin. PEAS was an early partner in his classroom and, as a board member, he is looking forward to continuing the promotion and support of all students' outdoor bill of rights across central Texas.
Elijah Kelley - Interim Board Treasurer
Elijah is an experienced leader at the intersection of strategy, operations, and finance. He has held multiple managerial positions in software firms, most recently serving as Senior VP, Strategy & Business Development for the innovation arm of a large healthcare system. Elijah advises multiple startups, consults on market research and strategy, and is a mentor for Texas Health Catalyst. He holds an M.S. in Technology Commercialization from UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business and a B.A. in English from the College of William and Mary.
Colleen Ketchum - Board Secretary
Gardening and cooking have always gone hand in hand for Colleen. Growing up, she had an active hand both in her mother's garden and in the kitchen, whipping up sugary treats often for friends and family. A former pastry chef, Colleen worked closely with urban farms like Hausbar Farm to procure fresh, hyper local produce for new restaurant dishes. She has also taught an after-school cooking class for elementary students with Sticky Fingers Cooking, bringing fresh ingredients and culturally specific recipes to young audiences. Watching kids grow and learn through hands-on activities is her favorite part about teaching. Currently, Colleen is an Account Executive for PRECISIONeffect, helping clients in the healthcare space "change the standard of care" by developing and executing successful PR strategies to elevate their important work.
Anne Muller - Board Member
Anne is the Outdoor Learning Specialist for the Austin Independent School District. She is passionate about creating systems to help green our school yards, empowering teachers to take their lessons outdoors, and connecting children to nature. Anne has been with Austin ISD for 12 years as both teacher and now Outdoor Learning Specialist. She got her BA in American Studies at Mount Holyoke College and her MA in Science Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas, Arlington. Anne is also a mother of two and loves spending time outside with her family.
Margaret Terronez - Board Member
Margaret is a social worker who has worked in government service and administration for over 17 years. She was instrumental in raising funds to build the infrastructure for PEAS Community Farm, and she and her two children have been active volunteers since it was started in 2011. Margaret started on the farm leadership committee transitioned to our nonprofit board when PEAS became an official 501c3 in 2015. She is passionate about being part of a community based organization that educates children and assists schools in agricultural and sustainability.
Bekah Mata - Board Member
Bekah moved to Austin in 2008 to attend the University of Texas at Austin. She graduated with a BBA in Management, a BA in Plan II, and a JD. After law school, Bekah worked as a misdemeanor prosecutor for six years. She is now serving the community as a felony prosecutor at the District Attorney’s office. Bekah lives in east Austin with her fiancé. They have four chickens and love spending time outdoors.
