Molina “Mo” Walters (she/her)

About Mo's Community Action Project (CAP)

Desert Futures: Voices of the Desert is a place-based, intergenerational Community Action Project that brings together university students, secondary educators, and older adults from the ASU Mirabella retirement community to explore their connections to the Sonoran Desert. Participants reflect on how climate change and environmental challenges are shaping the desert and share stories of resilience and hope. By uniting generations, the project creates a space where wisdom, creativity, and curiosity come together to address shared environmental challenges.

Activities include nature journaling, mindfulness practices, and civic storytelling, which help participants notice seasonal and ecological changes, like when plants flower or migratory birds arrive, and reflect on how these shifts are connected to climate change. Workshops and gatherings provide opportunities for outdoor exploration, artistic expression, and collaborative storytelling, while also equipping educators with practical tools they can bring into their classrooms.

The project culminates with participants presenting stories and art that amplify community voices and invite others to reflect on their own ties to the desert. By fostering ecological literacy, supporting well-being through time in nature, and strengthening intergenerational connections, Voices of the Desert promotes environmental awareness and a deeper sense of responsibility for caring for our shared home.

About Mo

Beyond my role as a Clinical Professor at Arizona State University, I see myself as a lifelong learner who is deeply inspired by the natural world. My work in environmental education is driven not only by academic training but also by the personal joy I find in being outdoors, birding, and noticing the small details of the desert, such as the bloom of a cactus flower or the flight of a hawk overhead. These experiences remind me why I do this work and why I encourage students and educators to slow down and connect with their own sense of place.

I am particularly passionate about helping educators incorporate creativity and well-being into their classrooms by integrating science with storytelling, art, and mindfulness. Over the years, I have collaborated with schools, community organizations, and environmental groups to expand opportunities for place-based and inquiry-driven learning, connecting people to their environment.

What keeps me grounded is the belief that education is as much about wonder as it is about knowledge. I want my students, colleagues, and community partners to leave our work together not only with new skills but also with a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of people and the natural world.

More About Me

What are three environmental values that you try to share with others? 
I try to share curiosity for exploring the natural world, respect for biodiversity, and the responsibility to act as stewards of our ecosystems.

What is your favorite memory of being in nature? 
One of my favorite memories is hiking at sunrise in the Sonoran Desert, listening to bird calls as the saguaros glowed in golden light.

What (or who) keeps you hopeful for the future?
I remain hopeful because of my students. Their creativity, passion, and dedication remind me that the next generation is ready to protect and care for our planet.