Donna Miskend, a Xerces member from Brooklyn, NY, is an artist and educator whose passion for nature and conservation is woven into her work. With a background in fine art and illustration, she highlights the intricate relationships between plants, invertebrates, and their ecosystems, inspiring others to appreciate and protect the natural world.
Donna’s love for invertebrates began early but deepened when she shifted her artistic focus to botanical and natural science illustration. Donna studied Art History at NYU and received a certificate in botanical illustration from the New York Botanical Garden. The experience ignited her interest in pollinators and their relationships with plants, which now influence both her artwork and teaching. While she once used nature as a decorative element in her designs, Donna now places it at the forefront, using art to raise awareness about environmental issues and incorporating scientific principles into her lessons.
Currently, Donna is leading a project supported by the American Society of Botanical Artists, introducing botanical art as a tool for scientific documentation and environmental awareness. As a part of her project, she will conduct workshops for various age groups throughout 2025, teaching botanical illustration techniques while exploring the relationships between native plants and pollinators. The workshops are designed for people to focus on nature through close observation, an essential part of botanical illustration.
Pollinators are critical to plant reproduction but face threats from pesticides, climate change, and habitat loss. Donna’s project highlights these challenges while celebrating the unique partnerships between plants and pollinators.
Choosing a favorite invertebrate is impossible for Donna, as she is captivated by their diversity and survival strategies. She recently taught art workshops on the ecological importance of oysters and as a student herself, she learned about organ pipe mud dauber wasps and lacewing larvae using lichen for camouflage. Each encounter offers new opportunities for discovery and learning.
Her deep commitment to conservation stems from a strong sense of responsibility to protect the environment. Through her art and teaching, she empowers others to appreciate nature and take action, introducing students to organizations like Xerces to encourage involvement in conservation efforts.
One of her most rewarding experiences was teaching a nature journaling class for senior adults. Initially, her students assumed all insects on flowers were bees. Donna introduced them to flower flies, teaching them how to differentiate species through close observation. One student later excitedly shared that she had started noticing flower flies everywhere and was educating others about them. This enthusiasm for learning and sharing knowledge is precisely what Donna hopes to inspire. Through art, her students are becoming ambassadors for nature, spreading awareness and appreciation for invertebrates within their communities.
Thank you, Donna, for your dedication to art, education, and conservation.
