Reconnect.
Restore.
Regenerate.

We connect people with nature to inspire care, responsibility, and collaborative action that regenerates ecosystems and strengthens the well-being of people and planet.

OUR MISSION

Our vision is a world where people and nature thrive in harmony through mindful action, shared purpose, and regeneration.

OUR VISION

MAR was founded in St. Petersburg, Florida. What began with neighbors planting trees has grown into programs reaching Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties, from tree plantings along the Pinellas Trail to shoreline cleanups on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Two women celebrating on a beach near a pier, holding tools, with boats in the water and palm trees in the background.

THE MAR WAY: These values shape every project and every partnership.

Joy • Integrity • Belonging • Excellence • Curiosity • Resilience

A group of people standing on a beach near the water, listening to a woman who is talking and gesturing with her hand. Several boats are visible on the water, and the sky is clear with few clouds.

Group of people posing on a beach with kayaks and outdoor gear, under a blue sky with palm trees and a tent in the background.

We are MAR. It’s nice to meet you.

Meet the MAR Board of Directors

Man wearing a red backward cap, sunglasses, and a blue long sleeve shirt, smiling while sitting outdoors near the water.

Dr. Joe Maltese | President

Dr. Michelle Ellena | Treasurer

A woman with long light brown hair and blue eyes taking a selfie outdoors next to a tree with dark green leaves.

Kristina Meek | Board Member

A close-up portrait of a woman with blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing a black jacket with a fur-lined hood, against a light-colored background.

Bergitte Jorgensen | Secretary

A smiling bald man with a beard and mustache, wearing a light blue checkered shirt, standing outdoors with green trees and foliage in the background.

Rob Brennan | Board Member

Kevin Lonzo, Esq | Counsel

Meet the MAR Team

Michelle Ellena, Ed.D
Executive Director

A young woman with light skin, glasses, and earrings smiling in front of green foliage.

Kira Baker
Operations Manager

Close-up of a young woman with wavy, light brown hair and blue eyes, smiling slightly, with green palm leaves in the background.

Erin Ho
TREE Program Coordinator

Young woman with long wavy brown hair, blue eyes, and light skin, smiling, wearing a beige blazer over a black top, with a plain white background.

Kyla Jerger
Community Partners Manager

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Karah Kniola
BLUE Program Coordinator

A young woman with long dark hair and light skin, smiling outdoors with green foliage and trees in the background.

Abby Hendershot
Development Coordinator

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Haley Kazanecki
Project Coordinator

A man wearing a camouflage cap, sunglasses, and a green t-shirt playing a red acoustic guitar in front of a colorful, tie-dye style background.

Meet the MAR TREE Advisory Board

Craig Pethe

A middle-aged man with short, light-colored hair and a beard, wearing a blue-striped button-up shirt, smiling in front of a blurred background.

Michael Riebe

A middle-aged man with gray hair and a beard, smiling, with a background of blurred colorful Christmas lights.

Gottfried Kibelka

A man with brown hair and a beard smiling, wearing a gray button-up shirt, standing indoors with a beige wall and a window air conditioning unit in the background.

Drew McLean

Close-up of a smiling young man with dark hair and a beard, outdoors in a park with trees and picnic tables in the background.

Andrew Elsass

Let’s connect!

Join our community and get updates on events, stories, and ways to take mindful action for regeneration in St. Petersburg and beyond.

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