Our Mission:

The mission of Groundwork Buffalo is to build sustainable urban environments in Greater Buffalo by engaging and empowering families and communities, including youth, in re-generating and connecting with natural infrastructure and the built environment.

As the local affiliate of the Groundwork USA Network, we have the support of the National Park Service and the Environmental Protection Agency, and leverage the resources, methods and demonstrated successes of a national network of Groundwork Trusts working to improve their environment, economy and quality of life through local action.

Our Team:

Racheal Tarapacki
Executive Director
rtarapacki@gwbuffalo.org

Racheal Tarapacki joined Groundwork Buffalo as the Executive Director in February 2019. With 17 years of experience in all things youth and young people, Tarapacki is extremely excited to connect youth and young adults to all things environment.  She is especially interested in connecting the residents and their families in Buffalo to their outside spaces and to try and fight the food desert problem Buffalo is so desperate need of.  Tarapacki’s professional experience includes non-profit management, education,  youth and young adults ranging from birth – college age, government, program management and grant writing and review. Tarapacki holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Buffalo State college and a master’s degree in Creativity and Change Leadership, also from Buffalo State college. 

Our Board:

Ina Ferguson – President, Hamlin Park Taxpayers Association, Western Region NYS PTA, WNYSTEM Hub

JaJean Rose-Burney – Vice President, WNY Land Conservancy

Darren Kempner – Treasurer, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority

Elizabeth Czapski – Secretary,  Yoga Instructor & November Project co-leader

Mark Dabney – WUFO Black Radio History Museum

David Hahn-Baker – IHO Political Consultants

Matthew Austin – Buffalo Indicators

Geovaira Hernandez – NY Renews

Donna Edwards – Open Buffalo