Join us in welcoming our new staff member, Rachel Jordan. Rachel brings a background in environmental science, law, GIS, and nonprofit advocacy to BCWK’s legal work. With experience supporting environmental protection and cleanup efforts in Houston communities, she will help advance our work for clean water and environmental justice across the region. Learn more about Rachel below.
What is the last waterbody that you visited?
This past November my (now) fiancé and I took a trip to Tennessee and spent Thanksgiving day hiking over 9 miles through the most beautiful waterfall littered trails I have ever seen at Fiery Gizzard State Park and South Cumberland State Park. This trip really sticks with me not only because of the gorgeous waterfalls we were able to explore but also because I became a fiancée in front of one of them. I felt so connected with nature, my partner, and the water surrounding us, I’ll never forget that trip.
Tell us about your background.
I was born and spent a lot of my life in College Station, Texas but I have 9 years of roots in San Antonio as well. I have had a love and respect for the environment ever since I was young, but I discovered environmental science my senior year of high school and knew that’s what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I got my BS in Environmental Studies from Texas A&M University with minors in geography and GIS technology then went on to pursue my JD at South Texas College of Law here in Houston. I fell in love with water during my senior study abroad program in undergrad when I travelled to Bocas del Toro, Panama to do research. Getting to see the damage being done to the environment and coral reefs truly opened my eyes to what needs protecting. After law school, I got my license while taking a JD alternative path into the nonprofit sector and spent over four and a half years as the Assistant Director of another Houston nonprofit, Texas Health and Environment Alliance (THEA). I learned so much in that position about how environmental nonprofits function and how to advocate in and for the protection and cleanup of Houston communities. I joined the team at BCWK to lean into my legal background and dive deeper into the water issues that Houston area communities face.
What part of your job do you think you will nerd out about?
I think I will nerd out about the law more than anything. There are so many ways to interpret and apply the law that the possibilities are virtually endless. The law is like history to me; I find it immensely fascinating and I can’t wait to see how I can use my legal background to fight for and protect communities facing environmental injustices.
How do you think your work as Staff Attorney will impact our community?
I think my work as Staff Attorney will give Houston area communities an additional leg up in fighting for environmental justice and clean water. I hope that my background in science, law, and organizing will bring tools to these communities that can be shared and utilized for the betterment of the environment for all.
Why is Houston special?
While I am not a native Houstonian, I moved to Houston in 2017 to attend law school. What makes Houston special to me is the diversity across the board. From the people and cultures to the food scene and beyond there is so much to learn and explore here. I am a huge foodie so trying all the different types of cuisine from all over the world has expanded my pallet and given me such a deep appreciation for the high level of diversity in this city.