Mariah Peters, Operations Coordinator

Pronouns: She, Her, Hers

I joined the Coalition as Operations Coordinator, where I help support the day-to-day systems and behind-the-scenes work that contribute to keeping the organization running smoothly. I’m excited to bring my background in operations, horticulture, and community-focused work to an organization protecting a landscape I truly love and feel lucky to call home.

I earned my B.S. in Environmental Science and Biology from Northern Arizona University, and my career has taken me through a variety of roles connecting plants, people, and operations. After graduating, I spent a few years traveling around the country working on different types of farms, but I couldn’t resist the draw of the Sonoran Desert and eventually found myself back home. Before joining the Coalition, I spent more than a decade in controlled environment agriculture, where I managed cultivation operations as well as the people, systems, and logistics needed to keep them running.

I now live in Oracle, AZ, where the Sonoran Desert begins to climb into grasslands dotted with large granite boulders and oak-covered foothills. Living here has deepened my appreciation for the incredible diversity of this landscape and the abundance of life it supports. The more time I spend here, the more I notice the connections between the land, the plants and wildlife that depend on it, and the people who call this place home. That sense of connection is what draws me to the Coalition’s work, and I’m excited to help support efforts that protect this unique landscape for the communities and future generations who depend on it.

Outside of work, you can usually find me gardening, creating something in the kitchen, working on one of the many projects around my home, or spending time with the people and animals I love. I’m happiest with my hands in the dirt and almost always have something growing, baking, fermenting, or otherwise becoming an overly elaborate project.  I also love exploring new places and finding hidden corners all throughout the Southwest, especially if there’s fresh water involved!