Kyla Isakson firmly believes that environmental protection is a vital necessity, not an option. She knew at 10 years old that her career aspirations were in marine science and environmental studies, and she’s always had a particular affinity for the ocean (though she admits that woods are cool too). She grew up spending summers at the beaches on the South Coast of Massachusetts, and family vacations made Florida one of her favorite places to visit. When the time came to choose a college, Kyla opted for a campus in St. Petersburg, FL, just steps away from the water. Growing up watching Animal Planet, she was inspired by the adventures of Steve Irwin and Jeff Corwin, and she spent 5 months studying in Australia– where she was surprised to find that her temporary home on the island continent was the farthest from the coast that she’s ever lived! Back at home, Kyla’s summers were spent on the staff of a commercial whale watching boat, and college breaks were filled with various service trips to perform trail maintenance and learn more about conservation.
Kyla is a graduate of Eckerd College, with a bachelor’s degree in marine science and a minor in environmental studies. After college, she served for a year as a TerraCorps Youth Education/Community Engagement Coordinator with The Wareham Land Trust, which solidified her interest in working in the land conservation field. She has also completed internships with both Tampa Bay Watch and South Shore Natural Science Center, and has experience with digital communication, social media outreach, fundraising events, and educational programs.
Kyla joined Wildlands as the membership and digital media coordinator in August 2021, overseeing the membership program, website, and various marketing and outreach initiatives. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, and travel – especially when given the opportunity to really engage with the communities she visits. When she’s not outdoors, Kyla’s likely to be found knitting scarves and accessories from her endless supply of yarn in the winter, or cheering on the Red Sox in the summer.
