Lorena James is an ecopreneur and founder of Invasive Impact Initiatives, a youth-led platform dedicated to uplifting and connecting invasive species upcyclers worldwide. Based between Buffalo, NY – on Haudenosaunee land – and Charlotte, NC – on the traditional lands of the Catawba, Cheraw, Sugeree, and Waxhaw peoples – Lorena builds networks, resources, and public awareness to transform ecological challenges into creative environmental solutions. Through workshops, toolkits, and storytelling, she amplifies voices in the invasive upcycling community—highlighting innovations from art supplies to regenerative materials. Her work centers on collaboration, circularity, and intergenerational learning, fostering a global community restoring ecosystems and reimagining our relationship with nature.

Joshua Ralph is a community-engaged eco-artist and facilitator originally from Treaty 2 Territory, of mixed English, Scottish, and Métis heritage. Based on the unceded lands of the Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, they lead Invasive Art Initiative — a traveling project that transforms invasive plant species into art supplies like pencils, inks, soaps, and paper, intertwining ecology and creative expression. Their work, rooted in caring for changing ecologies, spans workshops, field restoration, and public outreach. Joshua has collaborated with numerous environmental groups, facilitated public speaking events, and gained recognition for innovative environmental outreach.

Erica Mulder is the creative force behind Bramble Threads, where she champions eco-art by transforming invasive plants into engaging, usable crafts. Through hands-on workshops—like creating wreaths from native and invasive species—she educates communities on sustainable stewardship and local ecosystems. Featured in events such as the Eco-Arts Festival “Free the Fern,” Erica highlights the beauty and utility found in overlooked plants like invasive ivy. With a passion for land-care and upcycling, her work blurs the lines between art, ecology, and education, inspiring others to reimagine nature’s resources and nurture a deeper connection to their surroundings.

Jade Hoyer is a Minnesota-based artist and educator whose practice engages social and environmental narratives through printmaking, hand-papermaking, and installation. She has explored the ecological and cultural implications of invasive plant species, transforming them into papermaking fibers and art materials. By reimagining these species as creative resources, Jade invites conversations on environmental stewardship, colonial histories, and human impact on ecosystems. Her work has been recognized nationally and internationally, and is included in collections from the Philippines to Brazil. As an assistant professor of art at Carleton College, she integrates invasive upcycling into her teaching, fostering dialogue at the intersection of art and ecology.

Yolanda Barrios is a seasoned invasive species specialist at Mexico’s National Commission for Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO), with over 15 years of expertise in conservation biology and science communication. She holds a master’s degree in Conservation Biology from the University of Kent and has been instrumental in developing Mexico’s National Strategy for invasive species, including the country’s first official invasive species list and a tailored risk-assessment methodology. Yolanda leads efforts to maintain and expand Mexico’s invasive species database, conduct risk assessments, and create educational campaigns—bridging government, academia, and the public to advance national and regional invasive species programs.

Alivia Beadell-Kaplan is the Strategy & Operations Lead at INVERSA Leathers, where she drives the company’s mission to turn invasive species into regenerative, high-quality leathers that heal ecosystems. From lionfish in the Atlantic to python in the Everglades, she helps scale nature-positive supply chains that reward environmental restoration. With a background in economics, strategy, and cross-cultural communication, Alivia blends business acumen with a passion for conservation to create lasting impact. Her work ensures INVERSA’s growth aligns with its core goal: transforming ecological threats into sustainable resources that protect biodiversity, support local communities, and inspire a reimagined relationship with the natural world.

Mike Mitchell is the founder and CEO of Pezzy Pets which transforms invasive fish species into eco-friendly pet treats. Drawing from his background as a fisheries researcher in the U.S. and Mexico, Mike identified the ecological and economic challenges posed by species like the armored catfish, lionfish, and silver carp. In 2015, he began collaborating with local fishermen and chefs to create sustainable products, leading to the launch of Pezzy Pets in 2021. The company has since removed over 100 tons of invasive fish, supporting biodiversity restoration and providing fair-wage employment in fishing communities.

Sydney Rodman is the founder and CEO of Green Revival, a company dedicated to transforming invasive plant species into valuable biomass for sustainable industries. Inspired by her early conservation work removing invasive plants from Lake George in Upstate New York, Sydney recognized the inefficiencies in post-harvest practices and sought a solution to increase circular economy efficiency. With a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Rice University, she applies her expertise to streamline species identification and coordinate logistics for proprietary manufacturing. Green Revival aims to solve the invasive plant crisis and serve biomass buyers by providing reliable, local, and cost-effective plant feedstock.

IvoRi Schley is a fiber artist, geographer, farmer, and environmental educator from Clayton County, Georgia. As founder of AfroAg, she centers Afro-Indigenous knowledge to reconnect communities with the land through sustainable agriculture, fiber arts, and environmental education. IvoRi’s work prominently addresses invasive species like kudzu, offering workshops that explore their ecological impact while promoting creative reuse and stewardship. Through her programming, she inspires cultural resilience and a deeper understanding of local ecosystems, encouraging communities to transform environmental challenges into opportunities for renewal and connection.

Ayurella Horn-Muller is an award-winning journalist and nonfiction author of Devoured: The Extraordinary Story of Kudzu, the Vine That Ate the South. Based in Florida, she reports for the nonprofit newsroom Grist covering climate change, food, and agriculture. Published by Louisiana State University Press, her book explores the ecological and cultural complexities of kudzu, including innovative upcycling efforts that transform one of the nation’s most prolific invasive vines into useful materials. By highlighting both challenges and creative solutions, Ayurella offers a nuanced perspective on human relationships with invasive species and inspires new approaches to environmental stewardship in the American South.

Dr. Winslow Robinson is the founder of fableForestry, an organization dedicated to combating invasive forest pathogens in New England. Using drone technology, hyperspectral imaging, and behavioral science, he leads efforts for early detection and management of invasive species. He applies advanced tools to provide targeted control methods. Beyond forest health, Fable Forestry contributes to environmental sustainability by producing biochar, a carbon-negative byproduct of its invasive species management. Winslow’s approach highlights how technology and conservation can work together to address ecological challenges effectively.

Dr. Tarsh Thekaekara is a conservation scientist from India’s Nilgiri Hills, with a PhD in human–elephant interactions and an MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation, and Management. As director of The Real Elephant Collective and trustee of The Shola Trust, Tarsh spearheads The Great Elephant Migration’s groundbreaking upcycling work—removing the invasive Lantana camara from forests and transforming it into majestic, life-sized elephant sculptures. This creative reuse restores wildlife habitat, sequesters carbon through biochar production, and supports indigenous livelihoods. Blending science, art, and community engagement, Tarsh’s work offers a powerful model for conservation that harmonizes human needs with the survival of elephants.