There is nothing that Matthew loves more than to talk about those super-cool and amazing animals we call insects (well, apart from his wife and family). He has been involved with conservation since the mid-1980s. It began with a college volunteer group doing habitat projects, which led to his first jobs in Britain, during which he became obsessed with insects and how important they were. There was then a spell in Kenya (more amazing insects), followed by a few years back in Britain managing Samphire Hoe, an award-winning nature park at the foot of the White Cliffs of Dover—and yes, some really cool insects, solitary bees that pollinated rare orchids—before finally moving to Oregon, where he discovered the Xerces Society. In the 20+ years since, Matthew has been involved with pollinator conservation, endangered species protection, and a range of other issues, but outreach and community engagement has remained at the core of his work—which involves lots of talking about insects.

As the Xerces Society’s first Community Engagement Coordinator, Rachel built their Ambassador program from the ground up and has found new ways for Xerces to connect to communities. She also co-developed and wrote X Kids. 

Rachel grew up in Oregon and has always loved wildlife and being outdoors. She pursued her passion for nature at Seattle Pacific University, graduating with a bachelor's in ecology, and later earned a master's in wildlife conservation from the University of Maine. Rachel spent years traveling between Alaska and Hawaii, working as a naturalist for the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Princess Cruise Lines. She also worked as a research associate in Panama and northern British Columbia. Before Xerces, Rachel worked at the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, managing their public programs.

Rachel now lives in Missoula, Montana with her husband and dog, Bear. They spend their time in the mountains or traveling the world.