Terra was formerly an Urban Development Associate with WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities. She supported UrbanShift and Cities4Forests, both city-based networks dedicated to capacity building, knowledge sharing and enabling cities to set and realize ambitious goals. Under UrbanShift, Terra led a webinar series on sustainable and integrated urban planning, coordinates capacity development planning, and serves as financial manager for the project.
Prior to joining WRI, Terra pursued her interest in urban watershed ecology and restoration by interning with Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) stream-monitoring division. During her time with DEP, she gained experience in field sampling, including benthic macroinvertebrate, amphibian, reptile and fish collection and identification; habitat assessments; physical and chemical data analysis; and geomorphological stream surveying. She worked on compiling data for several stream restoration projects, as well as creating and updating GIS maps for public outreach events and the Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas.
Terra is certified in green infrastructure construction, inspection and maintenance. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Management from the University of Maryland University College and an M.A. in Community Planning from the University of Maryland.
Latest by Terra Virsilas
UrbanShift hosts first City Academy in Kigali, Rwanda
The three-day workshop brought together participants from 20 African cities to learn about and exchange ideas on climate action planning and nature-based solutions as tools to create greener, more resilient cities.
Confronting the Urban Housing Crisis in the Global South
This paper presents strategies to build equitable cities through affordable and quality housing while also improving the environment and economy.
