Jacquie Morges
Jacquie spent much of her childhood outdoors—through Girl Scouts, summer weeks at the Jersey Shore, biking with friends through her neighborhood, and alongside her mom, who was determined to nurture her love for flower gardens and experiential learning. Since then, Jacquie has continued exploring the outdoors, traveling to 38 countries (with many more on her wishlist), and experiencing nature as a place of adventure, beauty, wonder, and peace.
It wasn’t until Jacquie moved to Lancaster City seven years ago that she discovered another dimension to her relationship with nature—that she could also partner with it by getting to know its rhythms, working alongside it, and committing to its care. Through her intentional residential community, Poplar Place, she learned the ways of this specific land and the power of community-driven sustainability. Her community taught her how to garden and compost—two passions that captivated her so much, she felt compelled to teach others. Since then, her community has helped over 25 neighbors start their own gardens, runs a free produce stand, hosts neighborhood meals, and manages a community compost bin in partnership with Lancaster Compost Co-Ops.
Jacquie has a deep love for Lancaster City and has intentionally designed her life to root herself in her neighborhood, SoWe, and foster a sense of belonging and community there. As part of the Watershed Leadership Academy, she is expanding that commitment to deep knowing—to the county’s waterways—aspiring to understand them as intimately as the grooves of her hands.
With 15+ years of experience in the nonprofit sector specializing in volunteer management and event planning, Jacquie thrives on bringing people together for grassroots action and meaningful experiences. In her role as SoWe Communications and Engagement Manager, she combines her love of spectacle events with her commitment to the planet and free, accessible education — leading hyper-local environmental initiatives, like installing rain barrels and planting native species to composting education and organizing community cleanups.
Jacquie enjoys being creative and regularly tries her hand at new crafts, is an active member of Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster, plans to hike the Camino with her husband within the next two years, and enjoys playing in the Conestoga River whenever she can.
