A Closer Look at Becoming Jane

Lila Higgins - Senior Manager, Community Science 

Lila grew up on a farm in the U.K., where she had lots of time for unsupervised play in the wild.  Her love for nature, especially insects, grew out of this time. After moving to the U.S. she pursued degrees in Entomology and Environmental Education. Her work focuses on connecting people to nature, particularly in urban settings. She currently co-leads the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County’s community science program and is the co-founder of the City Nature Challenge. She loves getting people involved in studying nature living in L.A., and around the world.  

Marcos Trinidad - Center Director at the Audubon Center

Marcos Trinidad has been Center Director at the Audubon Center at Debs Park for five years, and during that time has nurtured a growing community of volunteers, youth and community partnerships; implemented a facility and grounds improvement plan; and partnered with the National Park Service and Theodore Payne Foundation to establish a vibrant native plant nursery. Born and raised in Northeast Los Angeles, where his family has lived for 75 years, Marcos has deep roots in the community. Prior to coming to Debs, he served as Director of Audubon Youth Environmental Stewards (a program of the Palos Verdes/South Bay Audubon Society), where he engaged and inspired youth to connect to nature and their community through restoration and volunteer projects. He has also spent time working in fisheries and wildlife for the U.S. Forest Service and an Urban Forester for both Northeast Trees and TreePeople. Marcos’ formal education is in geology and anthropology. 

Laurel Watkins - Roots & Shoots Program Officer, JGI-USA

Laurel Watkins is the Roots & Shoots Program Officer for the Jane Goodall Institute-USA where her focus is ensuring members feel included and successful. Bringing 20 years of personal and professional experience with Roots & Shoots, she is driven to provide the support and tools to help empower young voices in their communities. Laurel has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Cultural Environmentalism from Juniata College and values the time she can spend observing and interacting with nature. 

Patt Morrison - Moderator

Patt Morrison is a Los Angeles writer and newspaper columnist who has a share of two Pulitzer Prizes. She has won six Emmys and eleven Golden Mike awards for her work hosting public television and radio programs. She also hosted the nationally syndicated television program “The Book Show with Patt Morrison,” and her seminal nonfiction book “Rio LA, Tales from the Los Angeles River” was a best-seller. Her writing appears in both fiction and nonfiction anthologies. And Pink’s, the legendary Hollywood hot dog stand, named its vegetarian hot dog “The Patt Morrison Baja Veggie Dog” in her honor.