Melanie R. Kirk is the Assistant Professor & Extension Natural Resource Education Specialist with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. As Extension Natural Resource Education Specialist, Melanie partners with various entities in planning, conducting, and evaluating education and applied research programs centered on natural resource education. Melanie’s current program focus is in working to increase support of urban natural resource management through the development of non-traditional partnerships and collaborations. These efforts are designed to increase the impact of environmental outreach to both children and adult learners, Working in close collaboration with, but not limited to local K-12, afterschool, and junior college teachers and instructors, developing curriculum, workbooks, support materials and teacher/instructor training opportunities related to natural resource management.

Melanie received her Doctorate of Philosophy at Texas A&M University in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication with a specialization in Program Evaluation and Assessment. She received her M.S. in Urban Forestry, Policy and her B.S. in Urban Forestry, Management, both from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, La. Prior to working with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service; Melanie was one of four City Arborists in Dallas, TX.

Melanie currently serves on the North Texas Steering Committee for the Texas Children in Nature Network, and has served as a Board Member for the Texas Chapter of ISA, President and Board Member of the Texas Urban Forestry Council, Member of the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council, and served on numerous boards, councils and committees on the local, state, regional, and national level.