Urban Forestry Women Who Rock – Rachel Murray – Episode 46

Rachel and I met at the National Society of American Foresters Conference in Louisville, Kentucky in November of 2019 at the student mentor session put on by my mentee the National Student Chair of SAF, Brittany Church. Rachel was enthusiastic about soils and urban forestry. I studied some of that in my college, but was curious what her take was on studying it now. She said soils is a hard class, but it is the foundation of forests. Without soil, we would not exist. We discussed her personally in the beginning of the interview and she has already been on track with internships and volunteer positions that have helped her achieve many opportunities such as scholarships. We openly discuss something that is just now coming out and a much needed conversation around disabilities while in college and while being in the forest sector. If I could relate to her in this conversation, I am sure many of you will as well, listen in!

Rachel Murray is currently a senior Urban Forestry at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas and will be graduating in May 2020. She will be attending the graduate program at SFA to obtain a master’s in environmental science. Her goal is to work one day at an urban forestry company or environmental consulting firm studying urban soils. She is passionate about sharing her story of having dyslexia and anxiety and completing a degree in forestry. She wants to be an advocate for people with disabilities in the forestry industry. Her hobbies include exploring the outdoors, reading books, and playing board games with her friends.

Rachel can be reached at her email: jwtrrachel@gmail.com