A New York City native, Emily-Bell studied Political Science, History, and Mandarin at the City University of New York, Hunter College and is an alumnus of Dr. Brett Branco’s Lab within Brooklyn College’s Aquatic Research Environmental Analytics Center. Currently studying wetland ecology at the University of Oregon’s Environmental Studies Program, Emily-Bell is developing an illustrated field guide of Willamette Valley Wetland Prairie Plants in order increase public education and community-based stewardship of these dynamic systems.

Before relocating to the Pacific Northwest, she worked as an illustrator for private clients, the NYC Department of Sustainability, and her independent  Etsy shop, White Cat Black Dog. Since 2010, she organized, planted, and advocated for the Roger That Garden Project, a native flora and edible garden in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Formerly, as the Rockaway Waterfront Alliance Program Educator, she led youth development programming focusing on dune restoration, community greening, and scientific research mentoring. Emily-Bell developed a deep dedication to community gardening and healthy soils as the Brooklyn Botanic Garden NYC Compost Project Coordinator. Having served as an educator with Million Trees NYC, Solar One, and Manhattan’s Lower East Side Ecology Center, she is well experienced working with environmental non-profits ensuring urban residents have equal access to nature.