Darcy (she/her/hers) is a Chattanooga native, spending many of her childhood days losing track of time in the woods exploring the many trails in her backyard of Signal Mountain, making friends with the wildlife and skinning her knees climbing trees in the wilderness park that surrounded her home. Prior to joining Conservation Legacy, Darcy spent over 20 years serving in the Nonprofit community in and around the Chattanooga area, beginning her career with the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and serving most recently as the Executive Director of the United Way of Loudon County. She received her B.A. in English Literature from the University of Tennessee Knoxville and is a 2024 alum of the Social Enterprise and Effectiveness Program with UTK’s Haslam College of Business Graduate School. Darcy’s own personal passions have always been rooted in nature. As a Certified Tennessee Naturalist, she serves on the Town of Walden's Environmental Committee, is a member of the Tennessee Valley Wild Ones and helped to launch the Rock the Ridge! festival to promote the conservation of Walden’s Ridge. Darcy and her husband Zach, their two sons Griffin and Lucas, their golden retriever Monty and tabby cat Emmet live on six acres on Signal Mountain in Walden. Darcy enjoys spending her free time weeding, planting and planning out her woodland and permaculture gardens, hiking, taking pretty pictures, and hanging out with family and friends while soaking up sunshine.

Kelsey Durr (she/her/hers) joined Southeast Conservation Corps in 2021. She is originally from the Greater Philadelphia Area and has previously worked with AmeriCorps NCCC, The Student Conservation Association New Hampshire Corps, and the Colorado Mountain Club. Kelsey continually strives to foster leadership, growth, and development within young adults. Kelsey is a member of the Green Team at Conservation Legacy and has spearheaded composting efforts with SECC crews. Outside of work, she enjoys live music, hiking, biking, eating meals made with love, and finding the best donuts in America.

Caitlin Scott (she/her/hers) is originally from Montana and moved to Chattanooga in 2011 with her family. She has loved living in the area ever since. After working many years in the hospitality industry and managing a hotel, she decided to kick off her fitness journey to get in better shape. This had inspired her to become a certified personal trainer and train clients at a local YMCA where she also held the role of the Membership Retention Specialist. Caitlin joined the SECC team in October 2021 as the Administrative Specialist. She enjoys supporting and being a resource for staff and members. In her free time, she likes to lift heavy things for fun, cook, hike, and spend time with her friends, and family.

Lauren Simms (she/her/hers) is originally from the Philadelphia area, but recently moved to Chattanooga from Missoula, Montana. Lauren has been working in various field-based positions since her first season as a YCC member in Yosemite, CA in 2016. Bouncing from coast to coast during her college years, meeting great folks and learning new skills, she solidified her love for conservation. She settled in Montana after completing a degree in Environmental Studies at Lewis & Clark College in 2021. In Montana, she worked with the Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation as a Lead Wilderness Steward in the Salmon-Challis National Foerst. Outside of conservation work, Lauren enjoys hiking, running, yoga, and canoeing.

My experience comes from many backgrounds, but most importantly is my innate respect and love for our natural world. I have spent much time working in the hospitality industry, where my passion for people has thrived. Working both domestically and internationally, with my travels taking me through Central America, Puerto Rico, and across the US. Those travels have been focused on sustainable tourism, culture & diversity, and community development. Recently (2020), I had the great honor of receiving and finishing my BA in Parks and Recreation Mgt. from Western Carolina University. I am thankful and excited to continue the work of SECC and help connect others to career paths that positively impact our lives and the world around us. May we leave the world a better place for those that come after us.

Things that move me – My dog Bear and cat Cleo, a good cup of coffee, people that recycle, laughing, growing a garden, a summer thunderstorm, a good storytelling podcast, all/any sports, gravy, crying during movies, working on cars, yoga, a clean house, watermelon in July, color theory, stars on a clear night, organization, live music, sunsets, kindness, seeing the ocean, crisp can of coke a cola, Alabama Crimson Tide (Roll Tide), learning about other cultures, people that hug, The Blue Ridge Parkway, seeing people smile, green beans, moss, fires at night, and lastly seeing the beauty of the human connection.

Destiny Locke (she/her/hers) started her trails career in 2015 as a conservation corps member in her home state of North Carolina. Since then, she has worked for various conservation corps and federal agencies in Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Tennessee, Alaska, Guam, and California. While her professional background is heavily skewed toward trail work, Destiny has enjoyed seasonal stints dabbling in recreation, prescribed fire, and invasive species management. She’s very excited to spend this year mentoring crews and seeing more of the southeast. When she isn’t in the field, Destiny loves reading, horror movies, and playing trivia games.