Welcome back to our blog series of Q&As with our staff. As our team has grown in recent years, this is a chance to get to know some of our stories and quirks. Caring for creation and equipping others to do likewise is so much more meaningful — and fun — when done as a team!
Photo caption: A Rocha USA 2025/26 Conservation Intern Gracie Bartley.
What drew you to A Rocha?
I was drawn to how A Rocha values creation care as central to Christian identity and ministry. I love how that’s reflected in an active, place-based approach to conservation.
When did the connection between faith and environmental work first “click” for you?
During a formative summer at Au Sable, I realized that my love and concern for the earth weren’t just my own. They were a reflection of God’s deep care for his creation, and my work was a worshipful response.
What’s your favorite species and why?
Acer saccharinum. It’s hard for me to pick just one favorite tree, but there are two big silver maples in my childhood backyard that I love. When the seeds dropped, we loved to throw handfuls of them up in the air and watch them spin down.
Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum), by John Lillis, on Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0).
What places are near and dear to your heart?
My childhood backyard in Ohio and oak-hickory forests in Pennsylvania. These are the places where I learned to love the earth – first as a kid, then as a college student.
What training/background do you bring to this work?
I recently graduated from Messiah University with a B.S. in Environmental Science and a minor in Sustainability Studies. I have experience with invasive species removal and various types of field research, with a particular interest in forest ecology and sustainable management.
What are the most rewarding aspects of your work?
It’s rewarding to come alongside people who care deeply about the earth and are seeking community. Whether they’re looking for support, advice, connection, or ways to give back, it’s fulfilling to help them bridge the gap between passion and action.
What are some ways you see A Rocha’s work bringing life to your local ecosystems?
The Texas Hill Country is a special place. Even though I haven’t been here long, it’s obvious that people feel connected to this land. People are grateful for the opportunities we provide – such as our invasive plant removal workdays in the Stenis Tract – to be a part of protecting and restoring these valuable ecosystems.
Gracie girdling some invasive Glossy Privets (Ligustrum lucidum).
What keeps you going when faced with all our overwhelming ecological problems?
I find a lot of hope and perspective through observing creation. Faithfulness seems so simple when I look at the trees or the birds or the creek. Community is also so important, and I rely heavily on the love and support of my friends and family when things feel heavy.
What is a little-known but fun fact about you?
I love making playlists, and I think I have about 75 on Spotify right now. I’ve always loved exploring music, and it’s so satisfying to create a playlist that reflects a specific mood or place or time in my life.
What would be your creation-oriented book recommendation?
Devotions, by Mary Oliver. Nature is central to most of her poems, and I’ve found a lot of comfort in her writing. I especially love “The Messenger” and “When I Am Among The Trees.”
What is your favorite creation-oriented song?
“Messiah/You’re Beautiful,” by Phil Wickham.
Click here to learn more about our Conservation Internships, and click here to view 2024-25 Conservation Intern Mary Bonnell’s video about her experience of the program!