Rachel Dunham
As the Xerces Society’s first Community Engagement Coordinator, Rachel built their Ambassador program from the ground up and has found new ways for Xerces to connect to communities. She also co-developed and wrote X Kids.
Rachel grew up in Oregon and has always loved wildlife and being outdoors. She pursued her passion for nature at Seattle Pacific University, graduating with a bachelor's in ecology, and later earned a master's in wildlife conservation from the University of Maine. Rachel spent years traveling between Alaska and Hawaii, working as a naturalist for the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Princess Cruise Lines. She also worked as a research associate in Panama and northern British Columbia. Before Xerces, Rachel worked at the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, managing their public programs.
Rachel now lives in Missoula, Montana with her husband and dog, Bear. They spend their time in the mountains or traveling the world.