Founder and Executive Director

Our founder, Jennifer Beaugrand, has worked in community-led horticulture in the Bronx since 2005.

PLACE Program Manager

Henry is a social worker with a background in environmental stewardship. Originally from Montana, he got his start facilitating outdoor leadership programs in remote wilderness areas across the West.

Environmental Program Manager

Conner manages the day-to-day, on-ground tasks and goals for the crews at the Bronx is Blooming. Since graduating with a B.S. in Ecology from the University of Maine, Conner has worn many hats in the fields of conservation and environmental horticulture. He worked with the government through USFWS, at other environmental non-profits as an educator, in the private sector managing landscaping crews, managing native plant nurseries, and working in stream and forest restoration. From these experiences, Conner brings extensive knowledge of environmental best management practices, horticultural technique and landscape design to the team.

Born and raised in Philly, Conner developed a deep love for urban green spaces from exploring Philly’s FDR and Fairmount Parks as a kid. In his spare time, Conner is a musician and he loves being on, in, or near the water.

Program Development & Outreach Manager

Gabby began working at The Bronx is Blooming in the summer of 2019 as the Project Mentor of Rev. Foster Park.

Program Operations Manager

Melissa is on a life long mission to create compliance from chaos and process from pandemonium. As a Bronx native, she has often been referred to as "the container store personified" for her color coding and organizational skills.

Environmental Program Coordinator

Valeria received a B.A. in Urban Sustainability with a Sociology concentration from Brooklyn College. Starting out as a PLACE Mentor in the Summer of 2023, she continued to cultivate her passion for environmental justice and what it means to have a stake in the green spaces we inhabit.

Tree Care Coordinator

Gaia (she/her) is a Venezuelan-American and recent graduate from NYU, with a degree in Ecology and Environmental Studies, and a passion for urban environmental issues.

Seasonal Environmental Program Coordinator

Ava started with The Bronx is Blooming in September 2024 as a Civic Corps member through NYC Service and is thrilled to continue working with BiB as an Environmental Program Coordinator. Originally from Minnesota, she moved to New York to study Environment & Sustainability at Barnard College, followed by completing a Master of Public Health at Columbia University. As an environmental health professional, Ava is passionate about promoting the care of our local green spaces to reduce the impacts of extreme heat and improve air quality.

In her free time, you’ll find Ava running, reading, seeing live jazz, petting cute cats, photosynthesizing, etc.