Ross L. Andrews, a co-founder and the Executive Director of the Center for Human-Earth Restoration, passed away suddenly in October 2013.  Ross held a Master of Science in Soil Science and a Masters in Forestry from NC State University. Mr. Andrews was a certified NC Environmental Educator and a published scientific author and poet. 

Ross graduated from The Inner Life of the Child in Nature program at the Center for Education, Imagination and the Natural World in Greensboro, North Carolina. He served on the editorial committee for the nationally recognized “What’s Good in My Hood?” service learning ecology program for urban communities.  Ross served as an environmental educator for Wake County Parks Recreation and Open Space and as an environmental consultant.  For eight years, he collaborated with the nonprofit Partners for Environmental Justice to organize restoration tree plantings and environmental education programs with community members at the Walnut Creek Wetlands.  
​
Ross later became the first Director of the Walnut Creek Wetland Center, an urban nature center with the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department.

In loving memory of Ross and his contributions, we hold a nature poetry contest every year to celebrate our connection with the Earth.