"The oceans are rising and so are we!"
I participated in the recent NYC climate march to the United Nations, with a turnout of 75,000 people demanding global leaders bring an end to fossil fuel industries.

I attended the NEST Climate Campus 2023 at the Javits Center, to listen in on panels about storytelling, environmental justice, ending fossil fuels and other environmental initiaitives!

I was able to speak with Hafsat Abiola, the inspirational Co-Leader of Project Dandelion, a woman-led global climate justice initiative. Women need to be at the forefront of the climate fight, speak up, be loud, and plant our seeds wherever we are blown to. Just like dandelions, they can't get rid of us!

I attended the 2022 Nest Summit Campus as part of New York City's Climate Week to engage with different panels focused on environmental justice, sustainability initiatives, and climate solutions.

I attended the Lower Manhattan Historical Association's Alexander Hamilton Awards. Also in attendence was former Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer. 

I spoke at the street renaming of 23rd St and 11th Avenue in honor of the late Robert Trentlyon,  founding member of the Storm Surge Working Group and strong advocate for regional infrastructure to protect New York City from storm surge flooding.

I attended the May 2022 Waterfront Conference, pictured with Tom Fox, Don Riepe (Jamaica Bay Guardian/ American Littoral Society), and Saad Amer (Climate Activist, Students for Climate Action, Plus 1 Vote).

I participated in the 2021 Heroes of the Harbor event, hosted by Waterfront Alliance at Aspire, One World Trade Center. 

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and I discussed resiliency efforts for NYC at the Storm Surge Working Group's Climate Tour, 2021.

I attended the U.S. Green Building Council's 2021Women in Green event, which featured discussions related to the work of women in urban planning and conservation. 

Mrs. Tammy Murphy, the First Lady of New Jersey, shared her experiences advocating and implementing the first mandatory environmental curriculum in the United States for New Jersey public school students.

I was recognized as a 2021 Waterfront Scholar at the Waterfront Conference, which hosted various panels covering topics related to environmental resiliency, stewardship, policy, education, and outreach. Melanie also engaged in networking opportunities including the Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines (WEDG).

I was featured as a representative of the Marine Biology Research Program during Billion Oyster Project's Career Panel Series. 

Over 400 students tuned in from various elementary, middle, and high schools across New York City.

I was featured as a communications specialist during the Communicate with Communities panel, hosted by the U.S. Green Building Council. She discussed how to improve partnerships between local businesses and government entities when emergencies occur.