“Those early days planted something profound in me: when you love something fiercely, you want to protect it.” – Roxy Torres
We are so excited to welcome our newest board member Roxy Torres! Born in El Salvador, Roxy fell in love with the outdoors at an early age. Below, she shares her tips for bringing the benefits of nature into the classroom and the (home) office.
Tell us a bit about any formative experiences that shaped your interest in the outdoors.
Some of my earliest memories are of wandering through my mom’s and grandma’s lush tropical gardens in El Salvador, where I was born and raised. That love for being outside carried into my teen years — surfing, dirt biking, skiing, and scuba diving with my dad. Those early days planted something profound in me: when you love something fiercely, you want to protect it.
These days, I’m not on dirt bikes, but I still try to spend half my day outside, working under trees, gardening, hiking, or playing with my kid until the Texas heat says otherwise. It’s only fitting that my childhood love for nature now fuels my work in climate..
What drew you to join The Parents’ Climate Community board? What are you most excited to work on in the coming months?
I met Eileen, the founder of PCC, at a climate networking event in Austin, and we connected immediately. We discovered that our kids attend the same school and that we both care deeply about the community and climate action. Every PCC event she organizes is thoughtful, energizing, and full of joy for kids and adults alike. Each one leaves me feeling hopeful and recharged. That’s what excites me most: sparking that same sense of possibility in other parents and caregivers.
Connecting with Eileen and PCC has shown me new ways to advocate, protect what we love, and pass that love on to the next generations. I never imagined myself speaking at City Hall about clean energy, but here I am, and I’m just getting started.
This fall, I’ll be working with Eileen and other Austin parents to run a listening campaign to better understand how to support diverse families on their climate journeys. We want to know what holds them back and what lights them up. Their answers will help shape what comes next for PCC.
You’re also leading an Outdoor Learning initiative at your child’s school. What’s motivating you?
There’s real magic in seeing kids learn outside. Being outdoors helps them grow socially, emotionally, and academically. It builds confidence, curiosity, and a deeper connection to the world around them. It’s great for adults, too; nature has a way of calming our minds and sharpening our focus.
As David Strayer says, “At the end of the day, we come out in nature not because science says it does something to us, but because of how it makes us feel.”
If you’re hoping to start something similar, talk to your principal first. Bring teachers and parents into the conversation early. Our school’s PTA and Austin groups, like PEAS, Becker Green Classroom, and Families in Nature, have been incredibly generous with their knowledge and support.
And remember, if you’re having fun, you’re doing it right.
What are some favorite ways you like to unwind in Austin?
Lately, I’ve been “commuting” to my backyard and setting up my laptop under a tree. I’ve kept at it because I’ve noticed I feel calmer throughout the day, and I sleep better at night.
In the evenings, my kid and I sprawl out on a blanket in the grass, watching bees sip from wildflowers and spotting birds with our binoculars. Within just a few blocks of our house, we’ve seen roadrunners, a gray fox, red-tailed hawks, coyotes, and even a paper wasp nest on one of our cacti. We left it alone when we learned they eat mosquitoes! We’ll take it. Welcome to the crew!
It’s these small moments of wonder that help us slow down and remember what we’re working to protect.
