Luis Aguilar

Environmental Education Specialist
laguilar@civicgardencenter.org
513-221-0981 ext. 150

As the CGC’s Environmental Education Specialist, Luis helps run programs like Lil’ Sprouts, the Green Teens Challenge and Compost Kids field trips. Whether it's running a program for 3- to 8-year-olds on Monday mornings, facilitating field studies for high schools at the Green Learning Station or supporting volunteers on the grounds, you’ll find him leading all sorts of environmental lessons.

Luis joined the CGC in the fall of 2024. Originally from Houston, Texas, his background is in Environmental Biology, which he studied at the University of Houston–Downtown. Before coming to the CGC, Luis had the privilege of mentoring hundreds of high school students through hands-on environmental education and conservation initiatives all over the country in places like Yosemite National Park, Canaveral National Seashore and Yellowstone National Park. While leading and mentoring new environmental stewards, Luis helped them how to live in and appreciate the outdoors through camping retreats and service projects. He also trained and mentored several adult leaders to supervise their own high school work crews for conservation projects all over Cincinnati Parks and taught both high school and adult learners biological, chemical and physical concepts in English and Spanish though water quality assessments.

Luis recognizes that there is still so much work to do to bridge the gap between the scientific community and the general public in order to continue building environmental awareness. Because of this, he is motivated to provide as much enthusiasm and diligence in his work as possible.

Luis has always marveled at the natural world. Learning through firsthand wildlife encounters molded his understanding and appreciation for it, and admitting he didn’t know enough about the world unlocked his passion for adventure. As he has explored Mexico, the U.S. and Canada over the past decade, finding himself mesmerized again and again by the natural world, he has collected much of the environmental wisdom he now passes along to the next generation in his role at the CGC. One of his favorite environmental mysteries is the Monarch Butterfly and its migration throughout North America, which brings together people of all walks of life!

Luis is excited to broaden his impact by working with elementary and middle school students, incorporating Mexican indigenous ingredients to explore the deep connections between conservation, agriculture and culture through food.