Gab DeVito

I grew up in Franklin Square, NY, where "nature" was something I experienced about once a year after a 2-hour drive but never felt attached to. I became involved with Eagle Eye in 2021 as an intern during my sophomore year of college, and spending time in nature in MountainStar Forest was the main factor in my decision to change majors and pursue conservation as a career.

Inspired by Eagle Eye's work, I completed my undergraduate honors thesis on a survey of the plant communities of MountainStar Forest and an illustrated field guide with a written historical, ecological, and environmental justice component. Having recently graduated from UMass Amherst with a B.S in Natural Resource Conservation,

I hope to continue expanding the field of conservation with a focus on making natural spaces and conservation resources more accessible to communities that have been historically excluded. I have learned through time in nature how to feel confident in outdoor spaces and use time outside for improving my health, knowledge, and sustainability through things like foraging for plants and mushrooms and rock climbing outside.