Daily Inspiration: Meet Jessica Goldstrohm

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Goldstrohm.

Hi Jessica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I work in conservation and community engagement, aiming to enhance environmental stewardship. I believe experiences in nature will build the change we need for our planet. My journey in this field began in 2015 when I learned about the challenges facing honeybees, particularly Colony Collapse Disorder, which was making headlines at the time. This prompted me to explore ways to contribute to the solution. As I delved into the world of honeybees, I discovered the fascinating realm of wild bees. There are approximately 20,000 bee species worldwide, with about 4,000 species in North America and 1,006 in Colorado. Notably, 70% of these species are solitary nesters, living independently and nesting in various types of tunnels—not producing honey. This incredible diversity of bees plays a crucial role in ecosystems through pollination, highlighting that honeybees are not the only buzzing wonders deserving of advocacy.

I started by writing a blog about different bee species that people could support through gardening and nesting options in their yards. This passion led me to establish a small business, The Bees Waggle, LLC, which I co-founded with my partner, though I primarily managed its operations. We designed a popular solitary bee observation house, selling up to 100 units daily on Amazon before the COVID-19 pandemic. This product successfully connected people with these vital insects, fostering care and encouraging gardening practices that benefited a variety of animals beyond bees.

Inspired by the bee house’s success, I initiated pollinator gardens in my community, gaining local media coverage. This exposure led a first-grade teacher to invite me as a guest expert for her class. Although I had no prior teaching experience, it felt like a natural extension of my work. I developed a pollinator education program for elementary schools, and to this day, I visit classrooms to teach about pollinators. I’ve collaborated on additional curricula with the Douglas County Conservation District and Beyond Pesticides in Washington, D.C., traveling across the Front Range and as far as D.C. to educate students about pollinators and other conservation topics. My role as an educator has since expanded to include teaching adults about pollinators and gardening in Colorado.

Before founding The Bees Waggle, I had a passion for photography, which I revived to capture bees on flowers using a macro lens. Over time, I expanded my focus to encompass all aspects of nature, taking thousands of photos that convey what words sometimes cannot. I utilize these images in social media, presentations, marketing materials, and storytelling. In 2024 I was invited to share some of my photos for publication in Falcon Guides, “Pollinators of the American West: A field guide to over 300 invertebrate pollinators”.

Throughout my journey as an informal educator on bees and gardening for pollinators, I realized a desire to deepen my understanding of conservation. I sought graduate programs and found an excellent match in Miami University Ohio’s Project Dragonfly Advanced Inquiry Program, in collaboration with the Denver Zoo. I graduated in December 2024 with a Master of Arts in Biology, emphasizing Conservation. My studies expanded my ambitions from focusing solely on bees to encompassing broader conservation issues and engaging people with nature in diverse ways to foster environmental stewardship.

I developed several projects during my studies, including three programs targeting different groups: the Broomfield Open Space Action Network (BOSAN) for all ages engaging in open space restoration, GRIT (Gardening, Relationships, Impact, and Teamwork) a gardening program for teens, and the Inaugural Nature Festival that took place in Broomfield in 2024.

Recognizing my ability to bring various programs to life, I decided to shift my focus from pollinators to broader conservation and community engagement efforts. As a result, I dissolved The Bees Waggle, LLC, to launch a new venture, Colibri Creative Conservation Solutions, LLC. This new name embodies my commitment to versatility and creativity in advancing conservation initiatives. Additionally, I am the founder of Beija Flor Conservation Network, an emerging nonprofit on a mission to reconnect people with nature.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t know of any venture that doesn’t come with struggles or challenges along the way, and I haven’t been faced with anything that felt insurmountable, but some things have resulted in a pivot.

One obstacle I experienced with The Bees Waggle was reliably sourcing the solitary bee observation houses. They were extremely popular, but it was really hard to find reliable partnerships to manufacture them using sustainable materials. After COVID interfered with our ability to successfully source the houses, I decided to discontinue making them. I wasn’t completely satisfied with the way they were made and how sustainable they were using wood as the primary material. I worked on a new design that sits in my office until I regain the gumption to make them again.

Currently the struggle is gaining traction under my new business name with new offerings. This will be a matter of time, so I am not too stressed about it. I want to grow so I am not the only one running my business, which I wasn’t able to do with The Bees Waggle. I attribute the lack of growth with The Bees Waggle to my life as a mother of two awesome daughters. I am a big part of their lives, which means my energy has been split as a result, but now that they are older I have more time and energy to devote to my entrepreneurial pursuits. My graduate degree jump started my pursuits and now that I am not studying all the time, I have more time and energy to pour into the development of Colibri Creative Conservation Solutions and Beija Flor Conservation Network.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a civic ecologist, environmental educator, conservation biologist, and passionate nature advocate. I’m driven by the belief that restoring our connection with nature is vital for both human well-being and planetary health—and I strive to make that vision a reality by facilitating meaningful experiences with nature.

My work as a civic ecologist centers on bridging the gap between people and the natural world, with a strong emphasis on increasing nature access and ecological connectivity within communities. I’m the founder of the emerging nonprofit, Beija Flor Conservation Network, an organization focused on fostering biodiversity and nature literacy, particularly in urban and suburban spaces. I also own Colibri Creative Conservation Solutions, LLC, where I consult and contract on conservation projects and community engagement initiatives for all ages.

With a unique academic background that includes a B.S. in News Editing, an M.S. in Biomedical Sciences, and an M.A. in Biology with a focus on Conservation, I bring a multidisciplinary approach to conservation work—merging science, communication, creativity, and education. I’ve developed a variety of curricula, led youth education programs, and consulted for various conservation-focused organizations, always with a creative and community-centered mindset.

I’m particularly proud of my work as the founder of the Broomfield Open Space Action Network (BOSAN), organizing the First Annual Nature Festival at Metzger Farm Open Space, and launching the GRIT teen gardening program. These initiatives reflect my core mission: to empower communities to reconnect with nature and take an active role in ecological restoration through collaborative efforts. People form connections with nature in various ways, and my strategy is to offer a diverse array of paths connecting people to nature.

What sets me apart is my combination of optimism, high energy, and creativity. I specialize in building bridges—whether it’s between science and the public, or between municipalities, NGOs, and local communities. I believe conservation is most powerful when it’s inclusive, collaborative, and deeply rooted in place.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I am an avid reader, so books are heavy influencers in my life. Books that help me the most inform how to be in the world.

Some of my favorite books are:

“Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer
this book changed how I look at the world as a whole. I had been growing toward this mindset through nature studies, but Robin puts into words what it means to be part of the natural world in a respectful and reciprocal way.

“Civic Ecology: Adaptation and Transformation from the Ground Up” by Marianne E. Krasny and Keith G. Tidball
reading this defined what I do and have been doing for the past decade of my career. I found it during my master’s studies at MU. I refer back to this book often while developing community programs for conservation.

“Flight of the Hummingbird: A parable for the environment” by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas
this tells the story of doing our part, no matter how small it may seem, we should be doing our part to save our planet.

“Originals: How Non-conformists Move the World” by Adam Grant
I love this book for all the inspiring stories of courageous pursuits within. Success stories of brave entrepreneurs and change makers I can never tire of reading.

I am currently reading “What If We Get it Right” by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. It is a compilation of interviews with people who are working on solutions to climate change. We all need a glimpse of hope and this book is just that.

My list of books could truly go on forever, so I will stop here and mention that art and time spent in nature also help me do my best in life- because they both provide balance to my system when I am overstimulated or stressed.

I love to create abstract art through painting and mixed media with nature as my muse. I spend time outside daily doing various things. When I spend time outside I often bring my camera, because when I don’t some amazing photographic opportunity is bound to happen. I love hiking with my family for the respite it provides all of us from the daily race we all live in. Gardening (food or native gardening) is another way I engage with nature that never ceases to appeal to me. Walking open space trails offers so many surprising experiences with wildlife.

Contact Info:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-goldstrohm-429b3539/

Image Credits
All images and files are mine.