Originally from El Paso, Texas, Javier Matthew Carrasco (or Mateo to those that know him through his work) began his career as a youth intern with Grow the Future where he learned regenerative farming practices and youth leadership development. After completing his education at the University of New Mexico, Mateo became a FoodCorps service member and later the Food Justice Organizer for the SouthWest Organizing Project. Mateo then became the Executive Director of MoGro Mobile Grocery in 2024 where he oversaw programs and operations that feed hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans. He has also contracted with foundations as a grant reviewer, has hosted and facilitated local, regional, and national conferences, and has stewarded multi-stakeholder coalitions in the pursuit of a healthier community. Mateo graduated from the University of New Mexico with a BS in Biology, a BA in Chicana/o Studies, a minor in Sustainability Studies, and holds a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from Arizona State University.

Carlos, Tree New Mexico’s Director of Education, joined the organization in May 2025 and is honored to be part of its inspiring network of volunteers and environmental stewards. He earned a master’s degree in landscape architecture from the University of New Mexico (2018–2021) and has practiced landscape design at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque and for residential clients in Santa Fe. Before moving to New Mexico, Carlos worked in museum collections management at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., where he focused on preserving cultural and ecological heritage. He also developed online educational materials for various nonprofit organizations. He now coordinates inclusive opportunities to educate audiences about trees and to integrate trees into the urban environment. When away from his desk, Carlos enjoys gardening, working with clay, and basking in the beauty of New Mexico’s public lands.

Beth joined Tree NM in late 2023 as the Partner Planting Program Manager, taking over from Betta Eisenberg who is enjoying her retired life in Portugal. She has a Masters Degree in Community and Regional Planning specializing in natural resources and environmental planning. 

New Mexico has been her home for twenty years. Here she has developed a love for the region's sunny climate and cherishes its vibrant community and natural surroundings. Beth enjoys rock climbing and outdoor exploration, which has influenced her dedication to tree planting. She believes that greener urban spaces can have a positive impact on the community and the environment. With a deep love for New Mexico, Beth is determined to use her skills and resources to ensure the longevity of the region's remarkable yet fragile environment.

Ray’s (they/them) journey into urban forestry took root during their time with a Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (RMYC) conservation crew in Albuquerque. During their five seasons there, they built and maintained hiking trails, removed invasive species, and planted trees throughout the state. These formative experiences at RMYC shaped Ray’s commitment to environmental stewardship and their desire to connect people with nature. Since then, Ray has become the ABQ NeighborWoods Director at Tree New Mexico, helping to enhance the urban canopy and bringing more trees to neighborhoods throughout the city. Ray has a degree in Interdisciplinary Film and Digital Media from the University of New Mexico. They have also worked with New Mexico PBS and the National Park Service in Washington, D.C., creating a variety of digital content to tell stories about New Mexico and the National Parks in the DC Metro area, respectively.

Jennet brings over 16 years of leadership in international development to her role as Director of Development at TreeNM, where she leads fundraising and strategic initiatives that expand tree canopy, advance environmental education, and strengthen resilient communities. She is passionate about breakthrough ideas that challenge the status quo, envisioning a world where all living beings coexist rather than one centered only on humans. For Jennet, urban forestry is not just about planting trees but about reimagining cities as places where nature, people, and ecosystems thrive together in balance.

Born and raised in Albuquerque, Luis graduated from UNM in 2018 with a degree in History/Political Science. He likes to travel New Mexico’s landscape, hike, and discover new natural wonders.

“Every day, I am blessed to live and breathe trees, but it satisfies me more to talk and learn the stories of the people of Albuquerque. My dreams for Albuquerque through Tree New Mexico is to share the importance of trees. I truly believe and desire our city can gain world recognition through the foundation of our tree plantings.”

Luis is very excited to increase the tree canopy on the Westside of Albuquerque and enjoys interfacing with the community outreach during ABQ NeighborWoods activities.

Mads (he/they) was born and raised out on Long Island, NY, but his love for trees and the environment frequently brought him up to New Hampshire where he spent time hiking, building, and maintaining trails with his grandfather at Beaver Brook Association, a nonprofit nature conservation and preservation area. They started honing their bookkeeping skills in high school and built a 15-year career on Long Island and then in Lexington, Kentucky. Working in the for-profit sector deeply informed their desire to do more actionable work that actively helped the communities they lived in. Exciting new opportunities brought Mads across the country to Albuquerque and then to Tree New Mexico where they provide administrative support, including handling both bookkeeping and HR duties. When not on the job or helping with plantings, Mads can be found hanging out with their cat, writing with their partner, and making spreadsheets for fun.

Growing up in Cleveland, Erin spent time exploring the Cleveland Metroparks which ignited her passion for nature and urban green spaces. After graduating with a bachelor’s in biology she gained field experience where she honed her skills in tree identification, cultivating an interest in the botanical world. She went on to gain botany and herbarium collections experience, which led her to a master’s program at the University of New Mexico where she studied botany and museum studies. This journey culminated in her current role as a tree planting coordinator at Tree New Mexico, a position perfectly aligned with her love of trees, green spaces, community collaboration, and education. Through this work, Erin is excited to contribute to the sustainability of Albuquerque and the communities of people who live throughout the state of New Mexico.

Jade (She/her) was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico where her love of nature and trees began at an early age. She graduated from the University of New Mexico with a bachelor's degree in Geography and Sustainability studies in 2020. Jades’ love for sustainability and creating community in Albuquerque is what drew her to Tree NM. Jade is a dog mom, book lover, Halloween enthusiast and backyard gardener that is excited to contribute to increasing the urban tree canopy in New Mexico for future generations to enjoy.

Kayla is an earthling who grew up among the saguaro cacti of the Sonoran Desert and now thrives among the people and landscapes of New Mexico. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Journalism and is driven to apply her communications skills to enrich community health and resilience. Kayla is especially passionate about learning and practicing ecorestoration and agroecology.

When not organizing tree planting events or developing educational materials for TNM, Kayla can be found volunteering with Cool It Burque, gardening, dabbling in herbalism, foraging wild funga and flora including ‘weeds,’ going to concerts, hanging with her friends and family, and exploring this wondrous place we live — planet Earth!

Jacob (he/him), born and raised in Michigan, began what he hopes to be a lifelong journey of improving green spaces with landscape construction. This is where he fell in love with planting trees, horticulture, water, and urban green spaces. Tired of several months of winter, he looked out west, as he enjoys many outdoor activities and wanted more access to outdoor work, warmer weather, and mountains. In 2023, Albuquerque quickly became a place he called home. This is where he found the conservation community and began working with Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (RMYC). He spent two seasons working with a crosscut crew and a chainsaw crew, doing trail construction/maintenance, erosion/habitat restoration, and forest thinning. Trying to be present within his new community, he came across Tree New Mexico and began volunteering with the lovely folks here. After living in the woods for a couple of summers, and thinning acres of forest, Jacob felt like he had to be more involved in urban areas and make up for all the trees that he fell. Beginning as a tree steward, Jacob made his way to becoming a planting event coordinator. He continues to volunteer with Albuquerque Wildlife Federation, Rio Grande Return, and other local orgs.

Estevan (he/him) grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He enjoys biking around town, tending his pollinator garden, and staying involved in community efforts that support walkability and thoughtful urban development. 

As a child, Estevan helped his grandparents in their garden in Corrales, where he learned about native planting and garden design from his grandmother. Those early experiences sparked a lasting appreciation for working outdoors and for the natural world. 

Estevan’s care for people and place led him to become active in the Albuquerque chapter of Strong Towns, where he supports efforts to improve walkability, strengthen urban development, and create places where people want to gather. That same commitment drew him to Tree New Mexico, where he is eager to deepen his knowledge, build new skills, and contribute meaningfully to the community. 

Elijah was born and raised in Albuquerque/Belen New Mexico where he gained a passion and respect for the outdoors through camping, hiking, and exploration. With his love for the outdoors Elijah found himself working for Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps (ALCC) where he worked on a trail crew. After his time with ALCC, Elijah then found placement into an immersive internship with another nonprofit called the Semilla Project where he gained firsthand skills and experience in urban forestry, fire mitigation, watershed management, and outdoor education. Then placed into a position as an urban forestry/outdoor educator. Continuing his work in conservation he made his way to Tree New Mexico where he is excited to increase the urban tree canopy here in New Mexico.