Faces of Greenbelt: Laura Reinoso-Graham, Volunteer, Environmentalist, Connector

When Laura Reinoso-Graham moved to Lynn this past January from her native Colombia, she was eager to explore the region’s diverse outdoor spaces and meet others who shared her passion for nature and environmental causes. She quickly discovered the beautiful trails of nearby Lynn Woods and soon thereafter connected with Greenbelt. She has been an active and enthusiastic volunteer ever since, assisting with a number of public events and trail cleanups.

Laura and her husband, Spencer, arrived in Lynn through a happy twist of fate. “We had a long-distance relationship for two years while I finished my studies in Colombia and Spencer was living in New Mexico,” says Laura. “When he accepted a job in Middleton doing computer-guided machine programming, we decided to relocate to Lynn because it offered easy access to his work and a commuter train into Boston.” They didn’t know anyone in the city and were largely unfamiliar with the area before arriving.

As they settled into their new community, a colleague of Spencer’s introduced them to Greenbelt, and Laura quickly began exploring volunteer opportunities. “I loved the overall conservation mission and focus on community engagement — it fit well with my background and interests,” says Laura, who holds a bachelor’s degree in ecology from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia, and has experience in environmental education, GIS, and data visualization.

For her first volunteer role, Laura served as a Spanish interpreter for a meditation walk in Lynn Woods. Although her language skills ultimately weren’t needed, she enjoyed the experience, and it sparked a desire to get more involved. “I love the people I’m meeting at Greenbelt and the fact that I’m continually learning,” she says. Laura and her husband also joined a Greenbelt cruise this summer for younger supporters.

In addition to volunteering with Greenbelt, Laura is pursuing a master’s degree in sustainability at Harvard University Extension School, where she studies part-time. She also recently began an internship with the town of Weston, assisting with the development of a new master plan for sustainable growth, and volunteers with The Food Project, a nonprofit that engages youth and adults in urban farming and community programs to build a more sustainable and equitable local food system.

Laura’s commitment to the environment, however, stretches back well before her move to the U.S. In Colombia, she spent time each year volunteering at eco-villages — communities dedicated to self-reliance and permaculture — where she deepened her love for hands-on stewardship and community-based sustainability. Today, that same passion fuels her work with Greenbelt and her growing role in the Lynn community.