Forest ecologist and ethnobotanist Dr. Patricia Shanley conducts research on the value of forests to human health in rural communities in the Brazilian Amazon and with youth in the forests of New Jersey.

She worked for ten years with the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) in Indonesia and currently works with People and Plants International. She is a co-founder of FACT: Forest & Climate Training initiative, to train the next generation of environmental stewards.

With 80 world experts, she is a lead author of the Inter-Governmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Assessment and the International Union of Forestry Research Organization’s Report on Forests and Human Health. For ten years with Ridgeview Conservancy, she has directed a forest stewardship program to protect and restore forests while boosting youth mental health.

Register before 4/16 at 3 pm

Daphne Frias, a 27-year-old activist, is an unapologetic Latina and proud advocate for her community's diversity. Living with Cerebral Palsy and using a wheelchair, Daphne is a fierce champion for disability rights. Her activism began at age 19,  with March For Our Lives, where she was eventually appointed as New York State Director. She played a pivotal role in passing over 15 state laws aimed at curbing gun violence and safeguarding lives.

As the Founder and Executive Director of Box the Ballot (BTB), Daphne mobilized youth nationwide to collect over 20,000 absentee ballots during the 2020 midterms, amplifying civic engagement. For this groundbreaking work, she was honored with Univision’s “Agente De Cambio” award at the 2021 Premios Juventud.

Daphne is equally committed to addressing the climate crisis through an intersectional lens. As spokesperson for the 2019 Global Climate Strikes, she highlighted the critical links between disability and climate justice. Her insights as a panelist at the New York Times Climate Hub, moderated by Emma Watson, further established her as a voice for change. Most recently, Daphne led accessibility efforts for the March to End Fossil Fuels, which drew over 75,000 participants.

A member of the Natural History Museum’s Generation Hope Advisory Board, Daphne works to amplify youth activism in museum spaces. In 2025, she was named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 North America list in the Social Impact category.

Register before 4/16 at 3 pm

(from https://www.daphnefrias.com/about)