About 👋

About Hi, I’m CJ Reilly, a graduate student in Natural Resources and the Environment at Cornell University, specializing in Forest Ecology and Management. My work focuses on how forest ecosystems function and how communities, particularly youth, play a vital role in stewarding biodiversity, from the microbial networks below ground to the dynamic forest canopies above. Rooted in the belief that learning happens best through experience, I design and lead opportunities for people to observe, explore, and discover the natural world firsthand. Whether working with recreation groups, school districts, or local residents, my goal is to foster a deeper understanding of the place and a lasting commitment to greenspace stewardship. I believe that when learners piece together ecological relationships on their own with the right support and context, those insights stay with them for life. Currently on academic leave, I serve as Director of the O’Hara Nature Center, where I manage urban forestry grants, oversee land stewardship for Irvington Woods Park as the village’s certified arborist, and lead environmental education programs. I also develop NYSSLS-aligned field experiences and support student-driven research through the Harvard Forest Schoolyard Ecology Program. These projects reflect my commitment to bridging research, education, and real-world conservation while cultivating observation, responsibility, and wonder in the next generation of environmental stewards. Let’s connect: cjr272@cornell.edu