Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Lawson.
Hi Rachel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My time at Greenspace Dallas has just begun; I started the first week of April this year. My personal journey to this position has been winding. The last time I lived in Dallas, I was securing clients for WRR Classical 101, which taught me about marketing and sales and connected me with non-profit groups looking to advertise. My background is as an elementary educator, and for about ten years, I taught in Austin, Dallas, and Los Angeles. Due to Covid, I found myself back in Texas to be near family and working in the office of a car shop called Complete Customs. It was there I learned QuickBooks Online, how to process payroll and other administrative tasks that have come in handy at my position at Greenspace Dallas. I’ve always had a passion for the environment and spending time in nature. Long-time friend Garrett Boone, who was the driving force behind the rehabilitation and creation of the Frasier Dam Recreation Area, took me for a walk at Frasier back in February. There he showed me all he and the Greenspace Dallas staff and volunteers had been up to the last 8 years. He shared with me they were hiring and asked if I would be interested in applying. I wasn’t sure I would be the right fit for the position but knowing the caliber of work Greenspace Dallas is known for; I wanted to put my hat in the ring. After interviews and meetings, being hired on, and tackling every task possible and then some, I am now the Operations Manager of Greenspace Dallas. I am so looking forward to all we have planned for this year and beyond!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’m pretty sure after the last few years; no one can say the road has been smooth. As for working at Greenspace Dallas, I have joined at an exciting time! We stepped out as our own non-profit in May of this year, which has presented all kinds of learning opportunities, challenges, and possibilities for us as an organization. As with any new job, there are always things to learn and grow that are required. Because this is my first experience in the non-profit sector, that learning curve has been steep. I’m so grateful for how willing everyone has been to help. We have excellent people on our board and volunteers who have shared their expertise and supported me as I have found my footing in this position. The biggest help has been Greenspace Dallas’s Executive Director, Richard Buckley, who has offered me continual guidance, and training opportunities and has become a mentor of mine.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As with any non-profit, staff members wear many hats, and we are no exception! Right now, Richard and I run the organization along with Trail Crew members (Colten Riney, Talaka Paw, Win Khin, Saw Shway, & NeDoh Soe), who handle the creation and maintenance of the recreation spaces, and UNT student Abby Heath, who working part-time running a Saturday education program for local students. While having a small staff is a challenge, it is also what makes this job so fun and interesting! Each day has a variety of tasks, and no two weeks are the same. Because of my varied background in teaching, marketing, sales, office management, and improv theater, one of my favorite tasks has been community outreach. This involves creating interactive experiences (like games for booths at conventions), marketing materials, coordinating volunteer cleanup days, and developing relationships with people in the DFW area. Nothing done here is the result of one person’s effort; it truly takes a village. If I had to say, I am most proud of the booth we had at the 2022 Earth convention. After only three weeks of being on staff, my efforts helped to make our space at the event not only informative but fun and inviting to guests. People of all ages appeared to be enjoying the games and activities at our booth. My teaching background gave me the experience necessary to create the activities while considering the different types of learners/personalities and make them simple to execute no matter who was volunteering.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
After having lived in Austin, Los Angeles, Denver, and Dallas, I’ve had a lot of experience with metropolitan areas. What makes Dallas, so fun is the beauty, gems, and hot spots are not in your face. To really know Dallas, you have to dig in. My first time living here was from 2010-2014. Back then, I attended Tuesday night bike rides of 8-12 miles exploring the city, ending at different restaurants or pubs each week. Seeing Dallas by bike showed me so much I hadn’t seen before. There are all kinds of pockets of nature and variety in neighborhoods. Dallas has worked hard to increase the bike-ability, parks, and art spaces within the city limits. Coming back to the area after an 8-year hiatus has shown they have followed through on many of these plans. The number of new parks in downtown Dallas alone is commendable, not to mention the ongoing work to create bike paths connecting Dallas communities and neighboring towns. Dallas has an incredible opportunity to continue this work on connecting citizens to nature with the Trinity River watershed area. Greenspace Dallas, along with a number of other non-profits, is dedicated to developing the Trinity River and Forest areas into accessible recreation areas akin to the Austin Greenbelt. With the vision, effort, and generosity of donors, we hope to adorn the almost 10,000 acres with winding natural surface hike and bike trails – dotted with picnic tables and benches – all respectful of the wildlife that calls this gorgeous natural resource home. The very thing Greenspace Dallas is working on is what I would say has always been a complaint against Dallas by nature lovers – we need more access to nature in the city! What is so cool is the forest and river are already there!! It just needs thoughtful access.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.greenspacedallas.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenspacedallas/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreenspaceDallas
- Other: https://www.meetup.com/GreenspaceDallas/
