An Interview with Naomi Serio

This spring, we’re excited to welcome Naomi Serio to ONDA as our new Community Organizer. Naomi brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to conservation, grounded in a genuine belief that lasting change comes from community. Whether she’s connecting with folks at events, facilitating conversations, or helping turn shared values into action, she’s energized by bringing people together in support of Oregon’s high desert.

We sat down with Naomi to learn a bit more about what brought her to this work, what inspires her, and how she’s thinking about building community and momentum for conservation across the region.

What were you up to before joining ONDA as community organizer?

Before joining ONDA, I worked at The Environmental Center in Bend, where I focused on community education and outreach related to waste and sustainable consumption. I started that position when I moved to Bend, and it was a wonderful way to plug into the incredible environmental community here. Prior to that, I worked as an applied researcher at the University of Oregon. Most of my work involved contracts with the Forest Service to investigate perspectives on public lands management.

What first drew you to conservation and community organizing? Was there a specific moment or experience that set you on this path?

As a teenager, I fell in love with nature and was devastated to learn about issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and deforestation. So it was an easy choice for me to focus on conservation in college, and I’ve been hooked ever since! My interest in community organizing came later and was sparked by the realization that, throughout history, nearly all social and environmental progress has come from grassroots advocacy.

What does “good community organizing” look like to you in practice?

I am very fortunate to be part of an incredibly engaged community of conservation advocates here in Bend. I’ve learned a lot about “good community organizing” from them, such as how important joy is in ensuring advocacy energizes people, rather than exhausts them. I believe good organizing is a long game that starts with knowing the community, building relationships and trust, and showing up consistently for others.

What’s a moment when you saw people come together and make a real impact?

Last month, the 1.25% for Wildlife bill passed out of Oregon’s state legislature! The bill didn’t make it during the prior session, and many people thought it was impossible during a short session, but good organizing overcame these challenges. This exciting win, which will make a real impact on Oregon’s wildlife, is the result of so many organizations and individuals coming together, finding common ground, and staying persistent. It was really inspiring to be a part of this effort!

When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time?

In my free time, I love to slow down and be outside as much as possible! Trail running, backpacking, and snowboarding are a few of my favorite ways to explore Oregon’s wild places. At home, you can usually find me reading or playing with my pup, Nalu!

We’re excited to have Naomi on our team and look forward to our community meeting her at our Bend Sagebrush Social this June!