Board of Directors

Kelly Hernandez

Board Secretary 

Kelly is a dedicated wife, proud mother of three children, and a passionate advocate for community growth. With a deep love for the outdoors, she enjoys camping, hiking, and fishing, often spending quality time with her family in nature. Professionally, she serves as a Family Law Legal Assistant, bringing compassion and expertise to her work while helping individuals navigate complex legal matters. In addition to her legal career, Kelly is a small business owner, where she channels her entrepreneurial spirit into supporting local initiatives. 

Outside of her professional and family commitments, Kelly is an avid reader, finding joy and relaxation in books. She is also a die-hard soccer fan, with a special connection to New Mexico United, always cheering for her team. Kelly's diverse background and commitment to her community make her an invaluable asset to the Nature Niños Board, where she brings a unique perspective and a strong dedication to making a positive impact.

Clay Benton

Board Member

Clay Benton serves as Chief Operating Officer for Forest Fitness LLC, a wildland fuels reduction and thinning company based in New Mexico, and Chief Operating Officer of Rocky Mountain Ecology LLC, a full-service environmental consulting firm working throughout the Southwest. He is also the owner and principal consultant of EcoFitness, his independent environmental consulting company focused on ecosystem stewardship and land management solutions. 

Clay brings nine years of direct field and project experience in forestry, biology, and environmental management — including fuels reduction, ecosystem restoration, habitat improvement, project design and permitting, and natural resource compliance. His work spans federal, state, tribal, and private lands, and he has built strong working relationships with partners across agencies, communities, and conservation organizations. 

Clay believes strongly in connecting people, especially youth, to authentic outdoor experiences. He is committed to growing the next generation of conservation leaders by making natural resource knowledge accessible, hands-on, and relevant to everyday life.

Kyle Trujillo

Board Member

My name is Kyle. I'm Navajo and Hopi from northern Arizona. My clans are Bitter Water and Yucca Fruit in a Line. I was a program director with Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps for about six years and now travel the Southwest teaching Wilderness First Aid, among other things. I'm greatly invested in helping organizations deliver high-quality programs, especially in the areas of environmental leadership and risk management. I feel that in this social media age, programs like Nature Ninos are indispensable as means for young people to develop strong connections with each other and their world. It can't happen on the internet.

Brittany Gonzalez 

Board Member

Hi everyone! My name is Brittany Gonzalez, and I'm so excited to be joining the Nature Niños board as the first youth member! I'm a student at Mark Armijo Academy in Albuquerque, where I'm part of the Equity Program. I'm passionate about youth empowerment, education, and creating opportunities for young people to connect with nature and their communities. I love singing, being outdoors, and finding ways to make a positive change wherever I can. 

Interested in joining our Board of Directors and helping shape the future of Nature Niños? 

Reach out to sarah@natureninos.org to learn more and apply!