The CLM Symposium 2026
About this Event
The Constellation of Living Memorials Symposium II brings together leaders in conservation, education, historic preservation, community engagement, higher education, and public policy to explore how neglected historic cemeteries can become sacred grounds, living landscapes, and civic anchors for healthier communities.
With CLM moving from a successful two-year pilot into its launch phase, this year’s symposium looks toward what comes next: building the partnerships, community leadership, and framework needed to grow a sustainable movement across Texas and beyond.
Through presentations, moderated conversations, a national keynote, and facilitated small-group discussions, attendees will not simply hear about the CLM model. They will help shape its future.
Symposium II Philosophy
Each session includes:
• 10-minute opening presentation
• 50-minute moderated conversation
• 20-minute facilitated small group discussions with report-out
We want everyone to be able to participate. If the $15 registration fee presents a barrier, please contact[email protected] . We don’t want cost to prevent anyone from joining us.
The ideas generated throughout the day will help shape CLM's national scaling strategy.
Schedule
8:30am -9:00am – Doors open, light breakfast, provided
9:00am – 9:10am — Welcome — Xiomara Diaz, Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Dallas County
9:10am – 9:15am — Opening Remarks — Grady McGahan, Director of Strategic Partnerships, CLM
9:15am – 10:35am — Session I
10:35am – 10:45am — Break
10:45am – 12:05pm — Session II
12:05pm – 12:45pm — Lunch, provided
12:45pm – 1:40pm — Keynote with Q & A — Joseph Charap, Vice President, Horticulture, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY, the design that inspired Central Park
1:40pm – 3:00pm — Session III
3:00pm – Closing
3:00pm – 3:30pm — Dr. Fouad Jaber, Professor and Water Resources Extension Specialist. Guided walking tour exploring water retention and flood management strategies applicable to historic cemeteries.
Session I, 9:15am – 10:35am
PRESENTATION (10 mins) - America's Civic Landscapes at a Turning Point: National Trends Shaping the Future of Historic Cemeteries
Presenter: Tamela Thornton, Executive Director, Urban Land Institute Dallas-Fort Worth
PANEL (50 mins)
Reimagining the Purpose of a Historic Cemetery: Sacred Grounds and Civic Anchors for Nature, Memory, and Community
Description
Using Freedman's Cemetery as the centerpiece, this panel explores how one of Dallas's most significant cultural landscapes can become a national model for community transformation. Historic cemeteries are presented as civic anchors that strengthen neighborhoods through biodiversity, historic preservation, education, public health, cultural identity, and economic vitality. The conversation explores how sacred places can become essential civic infrastructure.
Moderator
Tamela Thornton, Executive Director, Urban Land Institute Dallas-Fort Worth
Tamela leads initiatives that advance sustainable development, community revitalization, and innovative land use. She brings more than 30 years of experience building partnerships that strengthen communities through thoughtful planning and equitable development.
Panelists
Jason Ney, Manager, Park Planning and Acquisitions, City of Dallas
Jason’s work guiding the planning and acquisition of Dallas' park system places him at the intersection of conservation, public access, and community development. Jason’s perspective would be invaluable as we explore how historic cemeteries can evolve into civic anchors that strengthen neighborhoods through nature, culture, and public engagement.
Corrin Breeding, President/CEO, Jackson-Breeding Consultant Group
Corrin’s leadership and experience with Freedman's Cemetery, along with his broader expertise in cultural landscape planning and historic preservation, makes him uniquely qualified to help explore how this nationally significant site can serve as a model for communities across the country.
Daniel Mirabal, Tourism Development Strategist, Areté CG USA
As a tourism development strategist, Daniel brings expertise in destination strategy, place based economic development, and cultural tourism. His work demonstrates how authentic places can become meaningful destinations that strengthen community identity, attract visitors, and contribute to sustainable economic vitality. His perspective will provide valuable insight into how historic cemeteries can evolve into civic anchors that benefit both residents and visitors while celebrating a community's unique history and natural heritage.
Dr. Marsha Prior, Urban Anthropologist
Marsha is a resident expert on Freedman's Cemetery, often providing talks on behalf of Remembering Black Dallas. As an urban anthropologist and historical research consultant, she specializes in the intersection of history, culture, and environmental stewardship, helping preserve and interpret one of Dallas's most significant historic and cultural landscapes.
Discussion Topics
· Freedman's Cemetery as a national model
· Historic cemeteries as civic anchors
· Community engagement
· Landscape architecture
· City partnerships
· Interpretation and storytelling
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION (20 minutes)
Collect ideas spawned by the engaging with this paradigm shift.
Challenge
If every city recognized its historic cemeteries as sacred grounds and civic anchors, how would our neighborhoods change
Report Out - Closing Reflection
Every community already has sacred grounds that need to be recognized as civic anchors and foundations for healthier, more connected cities.
Break, 10:35am – 10:45am (10 mins)
Session II, 10:45am – 12:05pm (80 mins)
PRESENTATION (10 mins) - The CLM Guide for Texas
Presenter: Matthew Orwat, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agent, Dallas County
PANEL (50 mins)
Growing a Community of Stewards: How Cooperative Extension Is Cultivating the Next Generation of Cemetery Leaders
Description
Historic cemeteries are transformed not by organizations alone, but by people who choose to care for them. This session explores how community leadership, volunteer stewardship, and cooperative programs are cultivating the next generation of conservation leaders while reconnecting people to history, nature, and place.
One month before the symposium, CLM will convene a Cemetery Volunteer Leadership Meeting, bringing together volunteer leads from the original 2-year pilot cemeteries and those joining during the 18-month launch phase. The gathering will foster peer-to-peer learning, strengthen relationships across the growing network, and identify the questions, opportunities, and challenges most important to community volunteers. Those participants will then join the symposium, where their experiences and questions will help guide the conversation.
Building on those discussions, panelists from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Cornell University Cooperative Extension will examine how Extension programs, Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, 4-H, and community volunteers create pathways for lifelong stewardship. Together, they will explore how education, mentorship, and volunteer leadership empower communities to care for historic cemeteries as living landscapes that enrich biodiversity, preserve cultural heritage, and strengthen civic connections.
ModeratorDr. Candice Lucas-Bledsoe, Global CEO, Action Research Center
Candice is an internationally recognized educator, researcher, and leadership strategist who holds faculty appointments at Penn State University, SMU's Cox School of Business, and SMU Hunt Institute for Engineering & Humanity. For more than two decades, she has been dedicated to developing leaders, advancing innovative ideas, creating meaningful educational experiences, and preserving the wisdom of changemakers through initiatives such as the American Leadership Legacy Initiative. Her expertise in leadership development, cross sector collaboration, and educational innovation provides valuable insight into building the partnerships and organizational capacity needed to scale the Constellation of Living Memorials into a sustainable national movement.
Panelists
Matthew Orwat, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agent, Dallas County
Matthew has been instrumental in developing CLM's partnership with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, helping connect Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, and community volunteers with historic cemetery restoration. His experience demonstrates how Extension programs can empower local leadership while fostering environmental stewardship and community engagement.
Karen Guzman, Urban Gardens Specialist, Cornell Cooperative Extension Harvest NY – pending Karen supports community gardens across New York City, with expertise in native plants, sustainable horticulture, integrated pest management, and community-based stewardship. Her work focuses on strengthening communities through the restoration and care of urban green spaces, closely aligning with CLM’s model of reconnecting people to place through ecological stewardship.
Representative, Homegrown National Park – Bring Nature Home, (pending)
CLM Cemetery Volunteer Lead – pending
Representing one of CLM's cemeteries, this volunteer leader will share firsthand experiences building local partnerships, recruiting volunteers, overcoming challenges, and creating lasting community stewardship. Their perspective demonstrates how dedicated citizen leadership is the foundation of every successful CLM site.
Discussion Topics
To be determined following the Cemetery Volunteer Leadership Meeting on September 3 (or thereabouts), 2026.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION (20 Minutes)
Test the cemetery leads' findings against individual experiences. Each table identifies one practice to carry forward and one barrier CLM should help remove.
Challenge
How do we inspire and support the next generation of cemetery stewards?
Report Out - Closing Reflection
Every restored cemetery begins with one person who chooses to care. Every lasting transformation happens when that commitment inspires others to join. The future of these sacred places will be shaped not by the monuments they contain, but by the stewards who choose to carry their stories forward.
Lunch, 12:05pm – 12:45pm (40 mins)
Keynote with Q&A, 12:45pm – 1:40pm (45 mins Keynote + 10 min Q&A)
Joseph Charap, Vice President of Horticulture, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY (Central Park’s model)
Joseph’s nationally recognized work in one of America’s most celebrated historic cemeteries integrates historic preservation, ecological restoration, horticulture, and public programming, demonstrating how these spaces can serve as vibrant cultural and environmental resources for their communities. His perspective offers valuable lessons for adapting the CLM model across the country. Joseph will share the vision, partnerships, and long-term stewardship practices that demonstrate how sustained community engagement, education, and thoughtful management can create a legacy that extends far beyond preservation.
Session III, 1:40pm – 3:00pm (80mins)
PRESENTATION (10 mins) - The CLM Grant
Presenter: Melinda Garde, Constellation of Living Memorials Community Onboarding Liaison
PANEL (50 mins)
Who Will Carry the Constellation Forward? Building the Framework. Measuring the Impact. Scaling the Movement.
Description
As CLM reaches the midpoint of its 18-month launch phase through Texan by Nature's Conservation Wrangler program, this conversation examines what it takes to transform a successful pilot into a sustainable statewide and national movement.
Rather than focusing solely on ideas, this panel explores the systems, partnerships, and organizational infrastructure required to scale while remaining true to CLM's community centered mission. Panelists will discuss how strategic partnerships, measurable outcomes, higher education, community leadership, and innovative research are being woven together to create a framework that can be replicated across the country.
The discussion will highlight how Texan by Nature's Conservation Wrangler program is helping accelerate CLM's organizational development by strengthening partnerships, refining measurable outcomes, expanding corporate engagement, and preparing the organization for long term growth. Together with SMU Hunt Institute leadership and researchers, Dallas College, and community cemetery leaders, the panel will explore what must be built today to ensure CLM can thrive for decades to come.
Moderator
Dr. Maria Boccalandro, Dean of Special Academic Programs, Dallas College
Maria is an internationally recognized sustainability leader whose work bridges higher education, community partnerships, and environmental stewardship. Through CLM's Living Laboratory model, she is helping connect Dallas College students with historic cemeteries as places where education, research, and community service intersect.
PanelistsDr. Jessie Marshall Zarazaga, Associate Director, SMU Hunt Institute for Engineering & Humanity
Jessie builds partnerships that connect research, innovation, and community impact. Through the institute's collaboration with the Constellation of Living Memorials, she is helping advance initiatives such as Mapping Memory while fostering interdisciplinary partnerships that strengthen CLM's organizational framework and support its expansion as a nationally replicable model.
Cindy Hua PhD, Moody Dissertation Fellow, SMU Hunt Institute
Cindy is an educator, researcher, and community-engaged scholar at the SMU Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity. Through initiatives such as Mapping Memory, she brings expertise in participatory design, technology, and community collaboration to help develop innovative approaches for documenting, interpreting, and preserving historic cemeteries. Her work demonstrates how interdisciplinary partnerships can strengthen community engagement while advancing CLM's national framework.
Jake Cooper, Program Manager, Texan by Nature
Jake helps accelerate high-impact conservation initiatives across Texas through strategic partnerships, organizational development, and measurable outcomes. His experience guiding collaborative conservation efforts provides valuable insight into building the partnerships and infrastructure needed to scale the Constellation of Living Memorials nationwide.
Dallas College Student Steward – pending
Representing the next generation of community leaders, the Dallas College Student Steward brings firsthand experience participating in CLM's living laboratory model. Through research, mapping, and hands-on stewardship of historic cemeteries, this student perspective illustrates how higher education can cultivate future conservation leaders, strengthen community partnerships, and advance CLM's vision.
Discussion Topics
· Building organizational capacity while preserving mission
· Mapping Memory and technology as tools for community engagement
· Higher education as a catalyst for conservation leadership
· Why community volunteer leadership is the foundation of national growth
· Measuring ecological, educational, and community impact
· Creating a framework that other states can adopt
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION (20 minutes)
Collect insights that will become part of CLM's ongoing design and scaling process.
Challenge
What is the one design principle CLM must never lose as it scales?
Report Out – Closing Reflection
Every movement begins with an idea. Lasting movements are built through partnerships, strengthened by community leadership, and sustained by a framework that empowers others to carry the vision forward.
Closing, 3:00pm
Walking Tour, 3:00pm – 3:30pm
Dr. Fouad Jaber, Professor and Water Resources Extension Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Fouad is an internationally recognized expert in watershed management and nature-based solutions, he helps communities apply science-based approaches to improve water quality, reduce flooding, and create more resilient landscapes.
Guided walking tour exploring water retention and flood management strategies applicable to historic cemeteries.
SYMPOSIUM NARRATIVE
Session I — Why
Why do historic cemeteries matter?
Using Freedman's Cemetery as the centerpiece, the discussion reimagines historic cemeteries as sacred ground and civic anchors that strengthen neighborhoods through biodiversity, historic preservation, education, public health, cultural identity, and economic vitality. It answers the question, “Why should communities care?”
Session II — Who & How
Who will care for these places, and how do we cultivate the next generation of stewards?
Through cooperative extension agents, Master Naturalists, 4-H members, and CLM's volunteer leaders, this session explores how education, community leadership, and volunteer stewardship transform inspiration into sustained action. It answers the questions, “Who carries the work forward?” and “How do we inspire them?”
Session III — What's Next
How does CLM build a lasting movement?
As CLM reaches the midpoint of its 18-month launch phase with Texan by Nature's Conservation Wrangler program, this panel explores the partnerships, organizational capacity, measurable outcomes, research, and infrastructure needed to transform a successful pilot into a sustainable statewide and national model. It answers the question, “How do we ensure this movement thrives for generations to come?”
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“Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is an equal opportunity employer and program provider. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service provides equal opportunities in its programs and employment to all persons, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.”
Please Contact the Dallas County Extension Office by September 25th, 2026 at 469-224-4753 if special accommodations are needed.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Viki Hall Staffing, Food Service
THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS
Friends of the Warren Ferris Cemetery Board Members
Texas A&M AgriLife personnel
North Texas Master Naturalist Volunteers
FRIENDS OF FERRIS WARREN CEMETERY
Agenda
🕑: 08:30 AM - 03:30 PM
Schedule - At A Glance
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Doors open, light breakfast, provided
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:10 AM
Welcome — Xiomara Diaz, Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Dallas County
🕑: 09:10 AM - 09:15 AM
Opening Remarks — Grady McGahan, Director of Strategic Partnerships, CLM
🕑: 09:15 AM - 10:35 AM
Session I
🕑: 10:35 AM - 10:45 AM
BREAK
🕑: 10:45 AM - 12:05 PM
Session II
🕑: 12:05 PM - 12:45 PM
Lunch, provided
🕑: 01:40 PM - 03:00 PM
Session III
🕑: 12:45 PM - 01:40 PM
Keynote - Joseph Charap, Vice President, Horticulture, Green-Wood Cemetery
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:05 PM
Closing Remarks
🕑: 03:05 PM - 03:30 PM
Dr. Fouad Jaber, Professor and Water Resources Extension Specialist - Tour
Where is it happening?
USD 17.85
