Expertise
Ecotourism,Sustainable living,Arts and CraftsEducation
- Randolph-Macon College: Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Studies and Political Science
- Johns Hopkins University: Master’s Degree in Environmental Policy
Certifications and Awards
- Board Member for the Appalachian Cave Conservancy: Boating
Affiliations and Memberships
- Greenpeace
- Friends of the Rappahannock
- Virginia Equine Welfare Society
- Maymont Foundation
- Virginia Sierra Club
- Board Member of the Appalachian Cave Conservancy
- Member of the National Speleological Society
- PETA
Detailed Experience
Green Living Expert
Laura received her bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies and Political Science from Randolph-Macon College in 2009 and her Master's in Environmental Sciences and Policy from John Hopkins University in 2013. During her studies, she consulted for local governments and organizations to design solutions combatting deforestation and coastal erosion. Her schooling also took her to Costa Rica to study tropical ecology and the Bahamas where she delved into the ecotourism industry.
Conservation Program Coordinator
As a Conservation Program Coordinator for the Virginia Sierra Club, Laura spearheaded a successful grassroots campaign to protect Virginia's 30-year moratorium on uranium mining.
Scientific Journal Editor
Laura currently edits scientific journal articles for CACTUS Global's Center of Excellence for Environmental Science, Energy, and Sustainability.
Outdoor Enthusiast
Laura is a vegan with a passion for sustainable living and a wealth of knowledge on cutting our carbon footprint without breaking the bank. An offspring of two cavers, she has spent much of her life outdoors, from venturing through underground caverns to snorkeling in Hawaii and hiking the Grand Tetons. She is a licensed boater, an avid camper, a board member for the Appalachian Cave Conservancy, and a member of the National Speleological Society.
PETA Campaign Manager
In addition to her stint at the Sierra Club, Laura spent five years leading campaigns at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to protecting animals. There, she helped defeat over a dozen proposed "ag-gag" bills designed to criminalize the filming of animal abuse on industrial farms.
Laura's work included organizing press conferences, liaising with policymakers, garnering celebrity support, drafting web text and news releases, and coordinating video launches, including one featuring Republican strategist Mary Matalin.
Other Charity Work
Laura's work with charities has also included volunteering or interning with Greenpeace, Friends of the Rappahannock, the Virginia Equine Welfare Society, the Maymont Foundation, and many other organizations.
Crafts Enthusiast
At a young age, Laura hopped on a sewing machine and began creating unique trinkets to sell on the handmade marketplace Etsy. She later co-owned an art business, Custom by Corvis, specializing in vibrant, functional, and eco-friendly art pieces, for two years.
Upcycled Art
Many Corvis pieces were derived from abandoned materials, from old glass shards and wooden surfaces to thrift-store flower pots and lighting. Laura and her partner, Rachel, up-cycled the finds into colorful mosaics, personalized paintings, and trendy household items to sell online, in craft shows around Virginia, and as custom orders. They became experts at breathing new life into seemingly ordinary items while adhering to a tight budget.
Crafting for Charity
Laura has another craft venture, Le Petit Poppyseed, a line of pig-themed accessories raising money for neglected and abused pigs.
More About Laura Lee Cascada
You can read more about Laura's life and work on her website, and you can also connect with her on LinkedIn.