In January, the team at Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership welcomed Elizabeth Elco, Tessa Giannini, Amanda Glassco, and Dr. Christine Morano Magee to the board. Each of these four women — all Master Naturalists — brings a unique perspective and skillset to the board, all while sharing a common enthusiasm and passion for conserving Maryland’s wildlife and natural areas. We are thrilled to be growing our team with such talented and accomplished people!
Elizabeth Elco
Elizabeth Elco brings a diverse background in nonprofit work, supported by a BS in Environmental Science, a Master's in Public Administration, and time as a Maryland Master Naturalist. Her career began in informal environmental education, where she developed a deep passion for raptors while working hands‑on with non-releasable birds of prey.
Having had the chance to live in many different states on the east coast of the United States and in Germany as a military spouse, she looks for opportunities to connect and contribute to the local community in meaningful ways. This led her to the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership. Elizabeth is committed to advancing the mission of the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership because she believes collaborative conservation is essential to protecting Maryland’s rich birdlife and the habitats they depend on. She is excited to bring her skills, experience, and enthusiasm to support MBCP’s programs and to help strengthen bird conservation efforts across the state. Through this work, she looks forward to contributing to meaningful, long‑term impacts for birds, ecosystems, and the communities that benefit from them.
Tessa Giannini
A Maryland native, Tessa fell in love with local ecosystems early on, thanks to many years spent at ecology-based summer camps as a child. She quickly developed a passion for animals and especially for birds. Tessa has spent the last 15 years working with birds in a variety of ways, including non-profit animal care, volunteering with local conservation organizations to monitor bird populations through surveys and bird banding, and leading beginner birding walks to connect local community members to the birds in their backyards. Tessa learned of MBCP through her work as a Maryland Master Naturalist. She felt a strong connection with the organization’s mission, and she is excited to continue working for the benefit of native birds and their habitats as a board member. Tessa looks forward to continuing to help MBCP build community connections throughout Maryland as the organization grows. In her spare time, Tessa enjoys spending time in nature birding for fun, and hiking the region’s extensive park system.
Amanda Glassco
Amanda Glassco is a conservation professional and educator dedicated to protecting natural areas and engaging communities in environmental stewardship. She currently serves as Grants Manager at Rock Creek Conservancy, where she works to build institutional partnerships to support watershed restoration, volunteer engagement, and environmental education across the Rock Creek watershed. Earlier in her career, Amanda taught environmental science and chemistry and has remained deeply committed to environmental education and community-centered conservation throughout her work.
Amanda lives in Baltimore with her wife and two children and spends as much time as possible exploring Maryland’s landscapes, including frequent visits to Garrett County, where she and her extended family steward a conserved forest and working farm. She is passionate about the mission of the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership because birds connect people to the health of the landscapes and communities around them. She is especially excited to support MBCP’s partnerships that expand bird habitat, engage young people in birding and conservation, and strengthen programs such as Bird City Maryland and the Farmland Raptor Program. Through her service on the board, Amanda hopes to help grow collaborative conservation efforts that give birds more opportunities to thrive across Maryland while inspiring the next generation of conservationists.
Dr. Christine Morano Magee
Dr. Christine Morano Magee is a lifelong learner and dedicated educator who brings passion, expertise, and a deep commitment to conservation to her role as a board member. As a longtime resident of Montgomery County, she firmly believes in the mission of the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership to protect habitat and advocate for birds. She is driven by the understanding that education, along with partnerships, are the most powerful tools for lasting environmental stewardship. As Director of Education at Dumbarton Oaks Park Conservatory, Dr. Magee develops innovative outdoor education curricula and oversees dynamic programming that connects learners of all ages to nature and conservation. She also leads a robust internship and fellowship program, mentoring emerging environmental leaders and cultivating the next generation of conservation advocates.
A certified Maryland Master Naturalist, Master Gardener, and DC Weed Warrior, and an active member of University of Maryland’s Ask Extension program, Dr. Magee is widely recognized for her expertise in invasive plants and their impact on ecosystems. She lectures at numerous local universities on the identification of and ecological consequences of invasive species and the importance of native plant restoration. In addition, she has authored articles on native gardening and birds, helping communities better understand how thoughtful land stewardship directly supports avian health and biodiversity.
Dr. Magee earned her Doctorate from George Washington University and holds master’s degrees from University of Virginia and Georgetown University. As a board member, she is committed to advancing education and advocacy efforts that protect, restore, and conserve bird habitat throughout Maryland, ensuring that both wildlife and communities will thrive for the future.