Eli Dickerson has joined the Park Pride team as the Director of Education, a new position within the organization. In this role, Eli will lead organization-wide curriculum development that increases understanding and awareness of the importance of parks and enhances community capacity to engage in parks and spearhead improvement efforts.
Eli has been a fixture in the environmental world in Atlanta since 2005. He has a passion for native plants, champion trees and habitat restoration/preservation. His background includes volunteer management, ecological restoration, fundraising, environmental education and mentoring budding young environmentalists. He is excited to leverage his skills to address intersectional environmental issues while working to educate park goers, and also preserve and activate local parks.
Continue reading to get to know Eli in his own words!
What does the “power of parks” mean to you?
The power of parks is the combination of their current (and past) services plus their future potential.
Why are parks an important part of the community?
Parks are places of rest, play, rejuvenation, community, and a haven for the natural world. Parks make our cities better and are a crucial part of both built and natural infrastructure.
What are you most excited about regarding your new role?
I’m most excited about the chance to leverage my community contacts, my passion, and my background to be a catalyst for positive change in the community.
How do you hope to empower communities to engage and make a difference in their neighborhood parks?
First and foremost, I look forward to listening. I want to know what neighbors value and desire and understand their priorities so that I can empower them to activate their local park.
What’s your favorite park memory?
Discovering an Atlanta champion white oak and tuliptree in the same day in a hidden forest near Bitsy Grant Tennis Center. The tuliptree happens to be the tallest tree in all of Atlanta at 165 feet tall!
Favorite Atlanta park?
Cascade Springs Nature Preserve. In many ways, it’s a hidden gem. Cascade Springs is over 100 acres, nearly completely forested, has over 1 mile of trail, and it has interesting cultural and natural history.
Help us welcome Eli to the Park Pride team! Send him an email at eli@parkpride.org.