Lily Serrao
Originally from John’s Island, SC, Lily spent her childhood helping her grandmother in the garden, riding horses and doing barn chores, or wandering into the woods behind her house to talk with the trees. In adult life, she’s held many roles, including that of veterinary technician and nanny. But it wasn’t until she moved to Oregon with her husband and son in 2019 that she discovered her true passion for conservation and habitat restoration. Lily earned her B.S. in botany from Oregon State University, focusing on conservation, ecology, and restoration. During her time in Oregon, she worked as a land steward for Howard Buford Park and Mt. Pisgah in Eugene. There, she honed her skills in habitat restoration and invasive species management, fostering a deep appreciation for native ecosystems. Lily now calls Hendersonville home, where she lives with her husband and son. In her free time, she enjoys tending to her native plant garden, botanizing, and engaging in botanical relief printmaking, a creative outlet that merges her love for plants and art.