AMLT STaff

Aylara Odekova, Native Plant Program Manager 

Pronouns: she/they

Why did you want to work for AMLT / why are you doing this work?

I am deeply personally engaged in supporting the mission of AMLT and the work of the Native Plant Program. I work with native plants to restore and rebuild trust with the Earth. I am eternally grateful for my grandmothers, who carried and planted the seeds of cultural memory and wisdom.

What from your whole life's experiences are you bringing to this role?

I began working with AMLT in August 2023, after serving on the Native Plant Program Volunteer Team. I came into this position after seven years of work as a Park Ranger with Santa Clara County Parks. I have a strong background in conservation fieldwork, volunteer management, project planning / implementation, and in working with structured organizational systems. I also have a range of technical capabilities that are beneficial in this role, including work with prescribed fire, fuel reduction, invasive species removal, chainsaw work, and data management systems. I’m an ISA Certified Arborist, Certified Interpretive Guide, and a student of restoration ecology. I studied California Native Plants at Foothill College and am an active member of the California Native Plant Society. I hold a Masters degree from Middlebury Institute of International Studies and a Bachelors from the College of William and Mary.

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Turkmenistan and belong to its indigenous Teke tribe. After immigrating to the United States, I regained my sense of belonging by connecting and stewarding the land through my work and volunteer endeavours.