Lisa Clarke

Founder

Lisa Clarke is the founder and executive director of Sustainable Marin Schools, an organization focused on reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability within K-12 public schools. Initially an epidemiologist in cancer research, Lisa's shift to sustainability was driven by her recognition of climate change as “the most significant threat to public health that our children will face.”

Her hands-on experience with zero waste programs at her children's elementary school, combined with extensive research into best practices nationwide, led her to establish Sustainable Marin Schools. The organization’s mission is to support schools in cutting carbon emissions, reducing waste, building climate-resilient campuses, and preparing students to advocate for a sustainable future. It also empowers students to develop skills for careers in the growing green economy.

Lisa currently partners with the Novato Unified School District, providing Zero Waste, Decarbonization, Campus Greening/Resilience, and Environmental Literacy programs in nine schools.

Erica Durwood

Program Manager

Erica is a program manager at Sustainable Marin Schools focused on accelerating change, creating ties, and supporting her team by eliminating obstacles and gathering resources and expertise. With a background in international relations, sustainability, physics and marketing, Erica is passionate about using her career to uplift communities, protect biodiversity and fight for climate justice.

She looks forward to being a multiplying force and to helping schools accelerate towards their sustainability and resiliency goals by creating interest, infrastructure, capacity, and connections. Erica is dedicated to empowering our youth to live in and lead a greener future.

Morgan Smith

Regional Garden Coordinator

Morgan is the Regional Garden Coordinator at Sustainable Marin Schools. With a background in outdoor education, Morgan is skilled in the design and maintenance of food-producing spaces built for teaching and community engagement. Their work centers on creating thriving, resilient ecosystems that support both student learning and local food production. Morgan is particularly passionate about horticultural therapy and the powerful impact time in nature can have on students’ well-being.

Morgan is thrilled to support the mission of SMS and to work with a team that puts students at the center of every decision and isn’t afraid to get their pants muddy

Annalise Basch

CCAC Fellow

Annalise recently moved to California from Colorado, where she studied Environmental Health at Colorado State University. Her previous work has been in public health, community engagement, and education outside of classroom settings. Annalise is passionate about the intersections between the environment, social justice, and human health and wellbeing.

Annalise is so excited to be working with Sustainable Marin Schools. She looks forward to building and finding community, cultivating curiosity and learning, and building on the incredible sustainability work that’s in progress.

Talia Schwartz

CCAC Fellow

Talia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Oberlin College. She believes in climate-resilient, thriving communities where people enjoy where they live and by design find it commonplace to support and be supported by their community.  

Through her work at Sustainable Marin Schools, she aims to inspire students, parents, and teachers to come together to take initiative in their schools and local communities through meaningful climate action. By providing volunteer opportunities to green our schools, educating our youth about principles of zero waste, and planting native plants and trees to create more beautiful and adaptive schools, she hopes to contribute to making our community a more collaborative and climate-resilient place.

Claudia Craig

CCAC Fellow

Claudia joins us with a degree in Environmental Humanities and a minor in Hispanic Studies from Davidson College, North Carolina. Her passion for education, environmental justice, community gardens, and the outdoors brought her to Sustainable Marin Schools, where she is thrilled to take part in hands-on, community-led climate action. 

Grounded in a deep commitment to nature-based solutions to climate change, Claudia is excited to empower students and their school communities to cultivate care for the Earth.

Natalie Velazquez

CCAC Fellow

Natalie has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and Sociology from UC Santa Cruz. She is dedicated to ensuring that communities, especially those most impacted by the effects of climate change, are given the knowledge and tools needed to become more climate-resilient. 
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At Sustainable Marin Schools, she aims to cultivate more sustainable schools by educating school communities on how to reduce waste and build more green spaces that can lessen the impacts of climate change. She is passionate about connecting and collaborating with schools to enact positive change in their communities and improve their natural environments.

Ceilidh Douglas

CCAC Fellow

Ceilidh holds an undergraduate degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno and a master’s degree in Biological Systems Engineering from the University of California, Davis. She is dedicated to using her love of science, creative problem solving, education, and collaboration for addressing climate change and implementing systemic sustainable changes. 

She is excited to be working with students and within wider school communities to utilize the power of education to inspire and empower young climate leaders, while also learning from the creativity, excitement, and silliness that kids bring to the table!"