Rebecca Weaver

Community Impact Strategist

Relationship Builder. Innovator. Environmentalist. 

 
Rebecca Weaver is a recognized leader in community-based conservation, equitable development, and nonprofit leadership, known for her ability to spearhead innovative, cross-sector initiatives that drive meaningful change. With an MA in Conservation Biology & Ecology from Miami University and a BA in Communications, along with a Certificate in Nonprofit Management, she combines scientific expertise, strategic leadership, and communication acumen to advance sustainable, community-driven solutions.

Rebecca has held influential roles across organizations such as River City Outdoors, The Nature Conservancy, and the City of St. Louis Mayor’s Office of Sustainability. As Director of River City Outdoors, she led efforts to expand equitable outdoor access through initiatives like the RCO Gear Lending Library and an Outdoor Equity Fund. At The Nature Conservancy, she pioneered the Cities Program in St. Louis, fostering partnerships to support urban green infrastructure and workforce development projects like the St. Louis Green Schoolyards Initiative and the St. Louis Green Jobs Training Program.

 

 

 

Her leadership has consistently focused on bridging ecological principles with equitable urban development to support more resilient and vibrant communities. As co-founder of the Green City Coalition, she worked collaboratively with government agencies, nonprofits, and community residents in St. Louis to transform vacant lots into green spaces that reflect local priorities.

Rebecca’s strategic approach to sustainability is evident through her contributions to initiatives like Treesilience, which aims to create healthier, more resilient urban tree canopies, and the Growing Green Solutions Seed Funding Program, co-developed in partnership with Green the Church to support BIPOC-led faith-based institutions to implement environmental justice projects with their communities.

She serves on the Board of Directors for the Great Rivers Environmental Law Center and Ujima St. Louis, and has received recognition for her leadership, including the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Outstanding Partner Award. Rebecca’s work continues to forge pathways for equitable, sustainable community development, deepening the connection between people and the natural world.

 

 

KEY EXPERIENCES

The Nature Conservancy in Missouri

During her tenure as Cities Program Manager for the Nature Conservancy Missouri, Rebecca developed the first TNC in Missouri Cities Program in St. Louis. Through strategy and partnership
development focused on community-driven green infrastructure priorities, she leveraged TNC’s resources and
expertise to support place-based efforts.

In this role, she also Co-chaired the North America Cities Network Transformative Funding Working Group dedicated to changing the flow of grant money toward community-based organizations, especially those serving Frontline and Justice communities.

Green City Coalition Coordinator

Rebecca co-founded and coordinated a network of cross-sector organizations working in collaboration with the City of St. Louis, Missouri Department of Conservation, Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District and neighborhood residents to co-create shared visions for converting vacancy into re-imagined community green spaces.

River City Outdoors

Led cross-sectoral collaboration and integration of community-based efforts among nonprofits, government, academia, and businesses to grow the region’s collective impact towards equitable outdoor access, experiences, and infrastructure. In this role, Rebecca also initiated the development of an Outdoor Equity Fund designed to provide funding to support equitable
outdoor recreation opportunities in the St. Louis region