Conserve It Forward
Environment. Education. Youth. Community.
Small acts, BIG change.
Our Mission: To promote environmental education, awareness, and action that benefits
both the natural world and people, inspiring youth and communities to Conserve It Forward!
Our Team.
Meet our board of directors and officers! All of us share a great love for the natural world and a commitment to "making the world a better place!"
Founder &
Vice President
Avalon Jade Theisen was 7 years old when she first dreamed she could help make the world a better place for all living things. Encouraging the use of kindness and compassion to confront world issues, Avalon’s goal is to raise awareness and inspire action that benefits both the natural world and people. Some of Avalon's project focuses have been amphibian conservation, art cards for in-care residents, edutainment, animal advocacy, and sustainable eating.
Avalon Jade is now a PhD student at Arizona State University, an intern for the U.S. Department of State Office of International Religious Freedom, and has been an educator at Athena's Advanced Academy since 2017, teaching multiple classes annually on topics such as sustainability, food, and community service to middle and high school students. Avalon is home in Florida working remotely several months of the year, where you can also find her attending events at the University of South Florida, of which she is a proud alum! GO BULLS!
Learn more about Avalon and the roles she holds through her LinkedIn account.
President
Formerly a member of the United States Army and a paralegal, Deborah is a Florida Master Naturalist who loves traveling, being outdoors, and spending time with her family. She's always planning the next adventure, which often includes kayaking, hiking, snorkeling, and otherwise exploring!
Treasurer
A proud graduate of James Madison University, Keith has worked in the automotive industry since 1993, including Automotive Digital Marketing and Management. He loves joining in whatever exciting adventure his family has going on, especially if it involves traveling or being around the water.
Director
Former CIF Youth Board Member
Hi, I'm Laurel! I grew up in Florida and have always had a love for the outdoors; canoeing, hiking, and gardening. After graduating from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL (Go Eagles!), I've been working in Tucson, AZ, and discovering more about the unique ecosystem here. Regardless of location, there's always more to appreciate and learn about with the flora and fauna surrounding our lives.
While working in Tucson, I've also been trying out adaptive methods of horticulture that can thrive in the climate here, avidly birdwatching (and 'birdscaping' to provide support to native species), and exploring nearby hiking trails and national parks to enjoy the surroundings.
I hope to stay involved with the environment for many years to come!
Jim Igler
Jim Igler was a director and long time supporter of Conserve It Forward. Sadly, he was the victim of a fatal hit-and-run accident in March 2019 in St. Petersburg, FL. Jim gave tirelessly to the Tampa Bay community and beyond, and is remembered as the best of the best when it came to environmental advocacy and stewardship. Jim's Bio: I studied Vocational Agriculture at Oklahoma State University, graduating with a B.S. in 1966, enlisted in The Navy and was on active duty on a Minesweeper from June of 1966 until June of 1968. I accepted a job teaching Vocational Agriculture at Newton High School in Newton, Kansas. Decided I liked the freedom of driving a semi better, so ended up making that my career all over the American West. Learned to sail and scuba dive in Kansas and had the opportunity to move with work, selected Temple Terrace, Florida, and have been here since 1987. I’ve always been environmentally aware so when the Florida Aquarium was being planned I joined the second volunteer class in May 0f 1993. One thing led to another, and I soon began also volunteering with other environmental groups. Because of my passion, I am now on The Board of Trustees with Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful and have been for many years; also recognized as Volunteer of the Year with The Florida Aquarium; was awarded the Iron Eyes Cody Award with Keep America Beautiful two years ago; and on the Citizens Advisory Committee of Tampa Bay Estuary Program. Am pretty much considered unpaid staff because of my involvement with Tampa Bay Watch, and am also on the Board of the Egmont Key Alliance. People ask me why I volunteer as much as I do and I share the story of when I moved here from Kansas. The bay was brown. I thought nothing of that as I was used to the red water of Kansas, but then then I realized it was because of various pollution issues. Because of the work the organizations I volunteer with, Tampa Bay is now becoming the leading estuary in the United States in Sea Grass recovery as well as water quality. It’s a good feeling to actually be able to see this progress and know I am helping.
