Doug received his MA in Counseling from Montclair State University in NJ. He worked in education as a Student Assistance Counselor and Coach for nearly 30 years. He has enjoyed coaching girl's field hockey and basketball, boy's volleyball, soccer and track.  He loves to cook and garden.  Doug has hiked thousands of miles and has grown to love and respect all that nature has to give.

"Being a part of Rivers and Birds is an incredible opportunity to give back and pass on my love of nature. It isn’t often that you get the opportunity to combine what you have trained for and what you live for!"

Alejandrina is an organic amalgamation of land stewardship and public service. Currently expanding her knowledge and education in naturopathic healing and plant medicine, focusing on traditional ancestral practices, Alejandrina began her mission to protect and defend this land and all of our relations as a tank mechanic serving in the U.S. Army, then later transitioned as a civilian to serve Taos, NM as a Park Ranger with the Bureau of Land Management.

"I am no one, yet I am everyone and everything around me. My connection to organic life is rooted from the San Luis Valley, extending into the forests of the Rocky Mountains, and back to the high desert of New Mexico. Sharing the wisdom and beauty this life has to offer while preserving it for future generations is my true legacy."

Tiana Suazo is the Regenerative Agricultural and Ranching Program Manager for the Center of Southwest Culture. She is a dedicated advocate for Indigenous food sovereignty and community resilience. With a background in nonprofit leadership, she has successfully led initiatives in farm operations, youth programs, and farmers market management. As a passionate supporter of Indigenous farmers, Tiana has worked to provide food safety guidance and connect growers with essential resources and opportunities. Her experience spans grant writing, community engagement, and cultural preservation, with a strong focus on strengthening relationships between traditional knowledge and modern food systems. Tiana serves on the board for Ogallala Commons, Taos County Economic Development Corp., and the Santa Fe Farmers Market Institute.

Adel Kosanke, proudly a first-generation, earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master’s in Agricultural Sciences, and is currently completing postgraduate studies in Administrative Leadership. She is the Dean of Sustainability and teaches dual-credit Regenerative Agriculture courses at Vista Grande High School in Taos. Since beginning her teaching career in 2007, she has taught science and CTE courses in both small villages and large urban schools. Her service as a Sustainable Agriculture Extension Agent in West Africa through the Peace Corps Master’s International Program at Colorado State University deeply shaped her lifelong work in food security and agricultural education. Adel, along with her husband and children, enjoys connecting with the natural world and sharing her passion for sustainability, community, and lifelong learning.