Our Team
To help LDSES: Mid-Atlantic, email midatlantic@ldsearthstewardship.org. We need volunteers to help plan events or serve in other ways too.
Merikay in our native plant garden at Pleasant View.
Merikay Smith
Merikay launched ESE in May 2016 as the first local group for LDS Earth Stewardship. Merikay is a Master Gardener (since 2007) and leads a local watershed group, Seneca Creek Watershed Partners. Her husband, Jeff, is a willing partner in earth stewardship events.
Katy Cummings
Katy was instrumental in creating our website. She is a busy mother of four, professional web designer and has worked in sustainable urban design. Her garden inspires neighbors and she’s currently working to create a native plant garden for her community.
Matt hosts our kayaking trash pickup events.
Matt markoff
Matt and his family’s business, Calleva, have hosted multiple ESE kayaking events to pickup trash on Seneca Creek and the Potomac. Matt bulldozed sod to prep our Pleasant View garden and donated truck loads of mulch.
Rebecca Clement maldonado,
Chapter President
Rebecca is an entomologist with a PhD from George Washington University. Her PhD project centers on the diversity of termites in Australia. She loves taking pictures of insects and keeping an eye out for them wherever she is. She shows her stewardship by picking up trash, composting, and learning all she can about Heavenly Father's creations (even the small ones). Becca took on leading the Mid-Atlantic chapter in April 2023.
Ellen White
Ellen took over as president of ESE in September 2021 and served until April 2023. Ellen lives in Alexandria, Virginia with her husband and 2.5 year old son. She developed a deep love for the outdoors and nature photography while growing up in the Pacific Northwest and went on to receive a BA in Photography from BYU. She loves taking care of the Earth through her plant-based diet, reducing waste, and staying informed on environmental issues.
Jane Burner
Jane Burner lives near Olney, MD. Her love for the natural world took flight when she moved here four years ago. This October she will earn her Master Naturalist title. She is a member/volunteer at the Audubon Naturalist Society and is currently training to become a volunteer in the Habitat Advisor Program of the Prince George’s Audubon Society. She and her husband are gradually working their property towards a healthier habitat for Maryland wildlife.
