\We believe that the central question of our time is how human beings are going to thrive in the world without destroying the earth's ability to sustain us. In the face of enormous environmental challenges, virtually all sectors of our society are now scrambling to create solutions, and the Ecology Center plays a critical role in advancing the best models.
To do that, we do the following:
- We educate consumers to help keep their families healthy and safe.
- We push corporations to use clean energy, make safe products, and provide healthy food.
- We provide people with innovative services that promote healthy people and a healthy planet.
- We work with policymakers to establish laws that protect communities and the environment.
Support our work
Get updates by email
Our Staff
Meet the Ecology Center’s savvy, experienced, and tenacious staff. We believe that leadership starts right in our office, click below to learn more about our team.
Erica joined the Ecology Center in September 2015, focusing her strategic and collaborative marketing and communications approach toward making the planet… Read More
Salam joined the Ecology Center in September 2023 as the Environmental Justice Organizer. She has a background in organizing in Detroit and other parts of… Read More
Alexis Blizman has years of experience working on political and legislative campaigns in Michigan, New Mexico, and nationally to her role as Legislative… Read More
Erica Bloom has a M.S. in Environmental Health and Justice from the University of Montana. Originally from Michigan, she has worked in Michigan's… Read More
Molly joined the Ecology Center in May of 2025 as the Clean Transportation Policy Coordinator. She has a background in energy and environmental policy and… Read More
Tracey Easthope is passionate about creating positive and forward-looking solutions to our most intractable problems and about telling success stories… Read More
Meli X. Garcia has over 15 years of experience working in the Non-Profit sector. She specializes in public health program development, policy design and… Read More
Mike Garfield has served as Director of the Ecology Center since 1993. He has led grassroots advocacy campaigns to raise over $100 million in public… Read More
Jeff Gearhart, M.S., has worked for over 20 years on a wide range of environmental issues, including air quality, pollution prevention, life cycle assessment… Read More
Rachana Gone joined the Ecology Center as a part-time designer in 2023. She is currently a graduate student at the University of Michigan studying User… Read More
Charles Griffith has more than 20 years of experience in research and advocacy on clean energy solutions, with a focus on the automotive and… Read More
Laura joined the Ecology Center in September 2018. In addition to supporting development and operations functions, Laura is responsible for database… Read More
Gillian has expertise analyzing materials in both academia and industry. An author of many peer-reviewed publications, she also taught… Read More
Becca has more than 20 years of experience in the fields of formal and non-formal education and specializes in place-based and environmental education, k-12… Read More
Jessica joined the Ecology Center after moving to Ann Arbor from Seattle where she had a long career in fundraising, event planning, and the arts. In her… Read More
Ronza has an international experience working with local and global non-profits– particularly in the Middle East. Her experience and career focus is… Read More
Melissa is an Environmental Health Advocate at the Ecology Center with over 20 years of experience working for safe places to live, work… Read More
Kathryn joined the Ecology Center in April 2012 to expand programming in Detroit under the Healthy Food, Healthier Future Project. Kathryn is a veteran… Read More
Jenna joined the Ecology Center as a work-study student in September 2022. At the Ecology Center, she contributes to email writing, social media marketing,… Read More
Ecology Center Fellowship
In partnership with University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School, the Ecology Center hosts doctoral students through its fellowship programs. Students of diverse academic backgrounds work with the Ecology Center communications team working as Environmental storytellers. Their contributions leave a lasting impact and are greatly appreciated.
Environmental Storyteller Fellowship 2025
Keanu Heydari joined the Ecology Center in Fall 2025 as the Environmental Storyteller Fellow under the Rackham Doctoral Internship Program at the University… Read More
Environmental Storyteller Fellowship 2025
Andrea Jacoby joined the Ecology Center as the summer 2025 Doctoral Intern Fellow. She is a PhD candidate in Communication and Media at the University of… Read More
Communications Fellow 2023
Elsie Lee-Robbins joined the Ecology Center as an intern in 2023, focusing on visual data storytelling to weave together written communication and visual… Read More
Environmental Storyteller Fellowship 2026
Markus Merin joined the Ecology Center in Winter 2026 as the Environmental Storytelling Fellow through the Rackham Doctoral Internship program. He is a PhD… Read More
Environmental Storyteller Fellowship 2025
Yuki joined as the Winter 2025 Environmental Science Storyteller under the Rackham Doctoral Internship Program at the University of Michigan. She is a Ph.D.… Read More
Communications Fellow Summer 2023
Crystal J. Zanders is a neurodivergent poet, educator, and activist from Tennessee. She received her master’s degree in secondary education from… Read More