Alia Munn

Alia has spent over 25 years working at the intersection of conservation, community, and education, guided by a lifelong devotion to the natural world and the belief that meaningful change begins with connection. Her career has always been rooted in people and place, honoring the ways local action, creativity, and care can ripple outward into lasting impact. Her path began in community mental health in the 90’s and economic development for the City of Santa Fe in the early 2000’s, alongside owning and operating her own resale shop. There, she championed local creators and small businesses by organizing street festivals and locally made fashion shows that brought neighbors together, celebrated sustainability, and demonstrated the power of community-driven economies. These early experiences shaped her understanding that environmental stewardship and social vitality are deeply intertwined.

In 2012, Alia served as National Conservation Director for The Earth’s Birthday Project’s Big Gift to the Earth, the conservation program which engaged children in the protection of critical habitats. Through an innovative partnership, she secured placement on every Coinstar kiosk in the country, allowing anyone to deposit spare change directly into the protection of critical habitats in the Amazon. By transforming everyday moments into acts of environmental care, the Big Gift to the Earth empowered young people to see themselves as participants in global conservation. In 2016, Alia stepped into the role of Operations Manager for Celebrate Planet Earth, a position she continues to hold today. Each butterfly season since, she has provided personalized support to educators seeking to enrich their classrooms through hands-on learning about life cycles and the natural world. Her work bridges logistics and storytelling, ensuring that each educational experience sparks curiosity, wonder, and a deeper appreciation for nature’s rhythms.