05/29/2026
“You can’t separate people from place and you can’t separate place from people. Both are interconnected and essential for a healthy, thriving planet.”
Those words are from Quena Batres, who joined EarthCorps as a Crew Member in 2016. Now, 10 years later, Quena is the President of EarthCorps’ Board of Directors.
We sat down with Quena to talk about leadership, community, and how restoration work shapes her work and life today:
“I joined EarthCorps a year after graduating college. I loved being outside and working with people and communities. I had no field experience at the time, but joining the Corps changed the course of my life.
What surprised me most was the strong sense of community: EarthCorps creates such an intentional culture around relationships, connection, and shared growth, and I carry this approach in my work and relationships to this day.
In my second year with EarthCorps, as a Volunteer Specialist, I spent a lot of time restoring parks in West Seattle. Seeing those sites change over time was really meaningful. You could point to a space and say, 'We clearly helped make this healthier.' That’s one of the most rewarding parts of this work.
For me, leadership is about modeling the way. A constant mantra I have is, “How can I model good leadership to other people?” Often for me, it’s by being approachable, authentic, and transparent. I think EarthCorps was where I learned that. Even in my role as board chair, I continue to feel that commitment to leadership development from EarthCorps.
When I look at the state of the world today, I'm motivated by collective action. Whether it's a local volunteer restoration event, or preparing our nation for climate change, if many of us come together around a shared mission, we can make a really big impact."
Thank you, Quena, for your leadership, care for community, service to EarthCorps, and continued commitment to people and nature thriving together. 💚
