Our Board

Nykia Perez Kibler, co-founder of Philly Tree People (501c3), is an ISA Certified Arborist® (#PD-2135A) with a Master in Environmental Studies degree focused on Environmental Biology from the University of Pennsylvania. She has also earned a Certificate in Landscape Plants from Temple University, Master in Liberal Arts from Penn, a Master of Library & Information Science from The University at Buffalo, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fine Art Photography from Rochester Institute of Technology. Her two capstones from Penn were based on PTP: “Philly Tree People: A Case Study on the Formation of a Non-profit Community-based Tree Planting and Tree Care Organization" where she outlined the Pruning Club program and "Management of the Urban Forest: A Zip Code Level Approach" where she outlined the plan for a Green Skills Youth program both of which were heavily modeled after programs after UC Green in West Philadelphia. She was an intern at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve where she worked in their native plant nursery, participated in interpretation activities, led guided walks for families, assisted with grounds maintenance, marketing, and data collection. Nykia’s interests are in ecological restoration, urban ecology, urban wildlife, ornithology, wetlands, urban forestry, native plants, biological conservation, road ecology, environmental education, nonprofit leadership, urban orchards, food gardening, green walls, children’s play spaces/gardens, and citizen science. Professionally, she works as a research librarian, webmaster, and social media manager providing and developing research services for faculty and graduate students by supporting grants, disseminating research results via reports, websites and social media. She’s also a girl scout troop leader and engages youth in tree planting, pollinator gardening, camping, and citizen science.