Heather Franklin serves as the ReWilding Program Coordinator for the Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL). In this role, she partners with faith communities to promote ecological regeneration of congregational lands, restore natural processes, and foster more resilient ecosystems and communities. 

Growing up in Columbus, Georgia, Heather was captivated by the adventures and creatures of the outdoors. She spent her childhood pulling freshwater clams up with her toes, finding every green tree frog, and feeling a sense of awe from mountain overlooks. This early connection to nature fostered a deep call to care for living creatures and be a steward of the Sacred Earth. This personal mission has since intertwined with her professional work in environmental justice and climate change.

She holds a Master of Divinity from Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology, with a focus on Community Development, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Columbus State University, with a focus on Public Relations.

While she has ministered to youth and college students, her career has primarily been dedicated to community-minded nonprofits. Her roles in outreach, development, and community engagement have supported a wide range of missions, including those addressing accessible green space, food access, substance abuse, homelessness and homelessness prevention, and health care access. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Unearthing Farm & Market.

In her time off, Heather enjoys exploring local parks, trails, and waterways with her dog, Della. She also volunteers with the music team at Edgewood Church, plays board games with her partner, and pieces quilts alongside her family.