KRISTEN WEISS

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR 

Kristen Weiss is the Public Engagement Coordinator for Project Coyote, working to enhance Project Coyote’s relationships with the public, volunteers, and community. With a background in ecological management and science communication, Kristen believes strongly in the combined powers of good science and engaging storytelling to catalyze conservation and sustainability efforts.

Kristen grew up in the scrub oak woodlands of Southern California, where coyotes, mountain lions, and bobcats etched out territories amongst the ever-expanding suburban sprawl. The inevitable conflicts between wildlife and people resulting from human encroachment inspired Kristen to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Conservation & Resource Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. She later obtained her PhD from James Cook University in Queensland, Australia, where she studied the conservation and management strategies of marine wildlife and worked with Torres Strait Islander Indigenous communities to make films about their ocean conservation practices based on Traditional Ecological Knowledge.

Eventually Kristen shifted from research to education, outreach, and communication. She has lectured with the University of Southern California Environmental Studies Program and provided communications support for Stanford’s Center for Ocean Solutions, the Long Term Ecological Research Network, the Community Environmental Council, and other organizations. She has also conducted manatee research at Mote Marine Laboratory, guided behind-the-scenes tours at Aquarium of the Pacific, and traveled on three oceanic expeditions as a science communicator. Her lifelong love of animals motivates Kristen to volunteer with rescue horses, wildlife rescue centers, and pet-sit whenever possible! She loves traveling, hiking, and cuddling with her adventurous little chihuahua rescue, Buttercup the Eco Pup. 

Kristen and her partner currently live in their cozy van home, traveling the country with Buttercup, visiting National Parks, and making connections with amazing people along the way. Their adventures include hiking, photography, writing, playing ukulele, and finding the most scenic places to nap.