The Waxwing Team
Our team is composed of uniquely experienced individuals who provide a broad spectrum of services for and with our community, from designing resilient native plant communities to stewarding ecological gardens, restoring large-scale forests and meadows, engaging youth in schoolyard habitats, and facilitating practitioner programming.
Learn more about our team below!
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Founder & Lead Designer
Elyse Jurgen, M.Ed, CBLP, CERP, founder of Waxwing EcoWorks Co., partners with you to turn your rebuilding biodiversity intention into action — with clarity, creativity, and ecological integrity. Through hands-on ecological services, she helps you rebuild ecological literacy and restore habitat; not just with tools and training, but with experiences that inspire. Whether you are a homeowner, educator, land manager, or community advocate, Elyse meets you where you are. Ample hikes and observations in nature sparks her imagination, bringing a rare blend of art and science into her practice. Her work deepens your connection to place, and empowers you to take meaningful action.
You’ll also benefit from her rare blend of credentials and experience:
Master’s in Environmental Education (M.Ed) and 7-12 Biology Teaching Certification
Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP- Society for Ecological Restoration)
Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP)
Ecological Gardening Certification (Mt. Cuba Center)
NDAL Ecology-Based Landscape Design Intensive Course
Certified PA Master Naturalist
Mov Nat Level 1 Instructor
Certified Ecological and Permaculture Designer
Civic Ecology training participant (Cornell University)
Want to collaborate with her to help inspire your community audience? Here’s a snapshot of some of her former speaking events:
Society for Ecological Restoration Worldwide Conference Workshop Facilitator | Denver, CO- 2025
Jenkin’s Arboretum Lecturer | Online- 2024
Garden Wise Master Gardeners Conference Co-Keynote with Rebecca McMackin | York, PA- 2024
Pennsylvania Downtown Center Conference Session Speaker | Scranton, PA- 2023 and York, PA- 2024
Mount Gretna Summer Series Lectures | Mt. Gretna- 2023 and 2024
DCNR’s Watershed Forestry Summit Session Speaker | Altoona, PA- 2023
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Stewarding Coordinator
Donna has been part of the Waxwing team since March 2022. She’s an ecological and edible gardener, grower, and native plant enthusiast with a passion for plant propagation. Much of her learning focuses on plant communities as well as the edible and medicinal properties of plant and fungi.
As a former team member at Rising Locust Farm and Trees for Graziers, Donna brings extensive experience with regenerative agriculture, ecological restoration, perennial food systems, organic gardening, and silvopasture to the Waxwing team.
She is especially passionate about restoring humans’ connection to land and building resilient communities.
Donna’s certifications and educational background include:
Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional, Level 1
Ecological Gardener Training Program
Ecological Restoration Certificate Program
Permaculture Design Certificate
Mycoremediation Course
Fermentation Residency
Pruning Course, Penn State Extension
Habitat Stewards, National Wildlife Federation
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Community Coordinator
Laura Newcomer is the Community Coordinator and an Ecological Gardening & Restoration Steward at Waxwing EcoWorks, where (along with the rest of the Waxwing team) she strives to build back biodiversity for the benefit of wildlife, wildflowers, and human well-being.
She earned a Bachelor’s in Geography with an emphasis on Human Geography, or the study of the intersections between ecological and human systems. She has completed a variety of specialized trainings and certifications in the field of ecological gardening and restoration, including the Ecological Gardener Training Program and the Ecological Restoration certificate at Horn Farm, Colorado Master Gardener, and the Ecology-based Landscape Practice intensive course at New Directions in the American Landscape. Previously, she served as an Environmental Educator at various institutions across Pennsylvania and Maine.
Laura also holds an MFA in Creative Writing and teaches Nature Writing, creative expression, and other related topics. A former yoga teacher, she has completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training as well as specialized certifications in Yin Yoga and additional practices. -
Logistics Coordinator
Charlie Stephenson serves as the logistical and administrative support for the Waxwing EcoWorks team. He has a Masters in Logistics and Transportation from the American Military University, and is an Army Logistics Officer veteran. He supports the biodiversity building mission by managing the movement of site prep materials and native plants prior to installation. He will also assist customers with initial irrigation and hauling when needed. From spreadsheets to chainsaws, Charlie’s contribution to the Waxwing “nest” creates a more easeful experience for all.
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Ecological Gardening Steward
Rita Tomassetti is originally from the Dominican Republic and now a naturalized American citizen. She’s been living in Pennsylvania with her husband and two children for the past 13.5 years.
Rita has had an interest in gardening since she was a little girl. After being introduced to native plants 5.5 years ago, she has developed a passion for native plant gardening and taking care of this amazing earth we have been blessed with. She loves sharing her passion for native plants and gardening for wildlife with everyone she meets.
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Ecological Gardening Steward
Riley grew up in the Lancaster area and is passionate about helping endangered plants and wildlife. She also has a deep appreciation for the ways nature can bring people together.
Among other educational pursuits pertaining to native plants, Riley has completed the Habitat Advocates certificate as well as the Ecological Gardener Training Program certificate.
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Ecological Gardening & Restoration Steward
Marsha is a recent graduate of the Ecological Gardening Training course at the Horn Farm Center and lives with her family outside Millersville, PA. Marsha received her Habitat Advocate certification and enjoys ecological gardening and restoration on her own property. Marsha is grateful for the opportunity to work with new and existing Waxwing customers in the community, build biodiversity, and deepen human connections with nature. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, campfires, playing with her kids and spending time with family and friends.
The Waxwing Community
It takes a village to build back biodiversity! We consider our customers and partners to be honorary member of the Waxwing team. It is only through working together that we can restore habitat, reconnect people with land, and motivate more and more people to get involved. We are forever grateful to our community for all the ways they support and inspire our work!
