Lisa Fimiani

Drollinger Environmental Fellow

As the inaugural Dan and Susan Gottlieb Foundation Environmental Leadership Fellow starting in 2017 with Loyola Marymount University's Center for Urban Resilience (CURes), Lisa has continued her CURes Fellowship as the Drollinger Environmental Leadership Fellow. Over the past eight years Lisa Fimiani has reached thousands of Angelenos teaching the principles of The Gottlieb Native Garden while inspiring visitors in Ballona Discovery Park through informational tours and education programs. As part of her responsibilities Lisa also serves as an ambassador to support other CURes staff members in the community with education programs and research initiatives, as well as representing CURes at events and functions.

While living in Southern California for the past 38 years Lisa has acquired extensive knowledge of birds, insects, and other wildlife as the Friends of Ballona Wetlands Executive Director for 7 years, Docent at the Ballona Freshwater Marsh and Friends’ Board Member for over 20 years. Lisa has also served 16 years on the Audubon California and Los Angeles Audubon Society non-profit Boards. Her understanding of urban interfaces and nature in the second largest city in America has given her practical experience dealing with the associated challenges and qualifies her as an ideal urban "naturalist." Lisa received her BA in Mass Communications from the State University of New York at Buffalo and is a locally certified Master Gardener and Native Plant Restoration Specialist.

Lisa’s main goal in life is to inspire in others a love of nature and encourage a balance in the relationship between people and wildlife.