Meet the founders
Ashley Desensi
A Columbus native, Ashley earned her M.S. in Biology from Columbus State University in 2019. She has a passion for botany, a strong commitment to plant conservation, and a love of all things wild. Ashley's focus on botany and ecology has given her extensive knowledge of plant biology and systematics, as well as the environmental and social issues affecting our native plants. She is a valuable member of the Native Plant Coalition team, and works hard to inspire the next generation of biologists and conservationists through education and outreach. She and Veronica are proud parents of three teenage daughters who also share an interest in the natural world. Ashley and her family enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, and kayaking around the Southeast.
Veronica Anderson
Hailing from Leesburg, GA, a small town outside of Albany, Veronica has over 25 years of experience working in the veterinary field. Her passion for the well-being of the local pet population has led to extensive work within the Columbus community. She has worked hard to reduce animal overpopulation and bring high levels of care to the low-income communities in our area. As a member of the founding team of Native Plant Coalition, Veronica brings the same passion to our organization's mission to protect and restore native plants in our community. She is eager to work with individuals, organizations, and communities to make a lasting impact on our natural world and to ensure that future generations can enjoy the beauty and benefits of native plants for years to come. She and Ashley are also busy raising three wonderful teenagers, who also enjoy being involved with the conservation and restoration of native plants in our area.