Venesha Jackson

Venesha Jackson is a licensed biology teacher in Washington, D.C., with over ten years of experience in science education and a strong commitment to environmental stewardship. Her long-standing partnership with the National Park Trust’s Buddy Bison Program has been central to her mission of connecting students to nature and empowering them to become caretakers of their communities.

While teaching 4th and 5th grade at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Academy, Venesha worked closely with the Buddy Bison Program to create meaningful, real-world learning experiences for her students. Inspired by her field research at Yellowstone National Park with Ecology Project International (EPI) where she studied bison populations, grassland health, and species coexistence; she helped coordinate the school’s first invasive species pull, made possible through the Buddy Bison Program. This hands-on stewardship project allowed students to explore environmental science while making a positive impact on their local environment.

Venesha also coordinated a Buddy Bison service project at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, organizing a student-led park clean-up that emphasized the importance of protecting public lands within their own community. In addition, through the support of the Buddy Bison Program, students from St. Francis Xavier had the unique opportunity to visit the White House. During the trip, they learned about the nation’s history and government, further deepening their understanding of civic engagement and public service.

Her personal love for parks and public lands extends beyond the classroom. After discovering the beauty of Great Falls National Park, Venesha made it a point to visit regularly with her child and later introduced her students to its history and natural wonders through Buddy Bison-supported trips.

In the 2025–2026 school year, Venesha will join Dunbar High School as a ninth-grade biology teacher. She remains committed to ensuring all students have access to nature, authentic science experiences, and opportunities to develop as environmental leaders in their communities.