Staff

 Melissa Griffiths Parrott has been in the environmental education field for over 25 years.  After receiving her degree from California State University, Long Beach, she focused her career in environmental education, attending Harvard University for environmental policy. Melissa became the Director of Environmental Education for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, working directly with the Governor and the Education Commissioner to incorporate environmental education into the State standards and using the environment as an integrated context for learning throughout cross curricula. In 2015, Melissa was trained by former Vice President Al Gore and the Climate Reality Project (CRP) on climate science and communications. She is now a Mentor, Chairperson of the CRP: Suffolk Chapter, and an active Climate Reality Leader working with youth and climate action campaigns. Melissa is currently the Director of Education and Outreach for the Central Pine Barrens Commission and the Founder and Executive Director of Students for Climate Action. 

 Harrison Bench is a sophomore student at the University of South Carolina Honors College. He is pursuing a combined Bachelor’s of Arts and Science degree in Environmental Policy and a minor in French. Harrison began working with Students for Climate Action (formerly, the Suffolk Student Climate Action Committee) when he was a sophomore in high school. He quickly found a passion for environmental/climate advocacy and ascended to the role of President of the Sayville, NY chapter. With Students for Climate Action, Harrison has met with dozens of municipal, State, and Federal legislators to encourage sustainability and climate action. In October 2017, he attended the Climate Reality Project’s Leadership Training Corps with former Vice President Al Gore in Pittsburgh, PA. In August 2018, Harrison was appointed to the Islip Town Environmental Council, an environmental advisory body to the Islip Town Board. He was the first youth member. In this capacity, he drafted pieces of climate legislation and lobbied the Town Council on the subject of climate change. At college, he’s been largely involved with environmental clubs and student advocacy. Harrison has spoken at numerous conferences, most notably the United Nations’ Youth Assembly (Feb. 2020) and the New York State Climate Reality Project’s Annual conference (Mar. 2020). Prior to serving as the Deputy Director, he sat on the Board of Directors, where he provided guidance to S4CA’s multiple student-led chapters nationwide. He is also a beach lifeguard and a swim instructor. 

 
Rachel Pereira is a recent graduate with a Master's degree in Environmental Technology & Sustainability from New York Institute of Technology and a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Rider University. They are passionate about environmental conservation and are excited to join S4CA. Rachel manages the S4CA website and leads the State Team. Outside of S4CA they likes to read, draw, and go for walks with their dog.

Clare Dana is a second year student at Stony Brook University studying marine science and environmental studies. She plans to use a background in science and policy to improve and implement ecosystem-based solutions to the climate crisis and restoration efforts in coastal areas. She is delighted to be joining S4CA as the leader of the County Team and helping facilitate students to become involved in the vital decisions being made to create a cleaner, more sustainable future.   

Melanie Shaw Smith- is a recent graduate of Stony Brook University with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental

Studies.

As a Brooklyn, NY native, she was lucky to grow up with waterfront access, but I also saw firsthand the toll a city can take on its surrounding harbor. Since high school, she has dedicated herself to

environmental advocacy and stewardship in support of protecting natural areas, ensuring recreational opportunities, and implementing resiliency measures to mitigate climate consequences.