Selected as a 2025 Wonderfest Science Envoy, a program recognizing science communicators dedicated to making research accessible to Bay Area communities. Kristy's envoy work spans her research on plant climate adaptation, global genetic diversity loss, and community-led initiatives building climate resilience.

A community science initiative under NOAA's Urban Heat Island Mapping program measuring temperature and humidity across Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, and Menlo Park. Volunteers drove pre-planned routes with vehicle-mounted sensors on a hot summer day to produce fine-grained heat maps that inform urban planning, housing, and climate equity policy. The campaign was covered by KTVU FOX 2 and is supported by the Schmidt Family Foundation, NOAA, Acterra, and CAPA Strategies.

A short documentary following ecology graduate students as they travel across the Greater San Francisco Bay Area to interview four experts in land stewardship — exploring how individuals can better connect with and protect local land. The film was funded by the McCoy Center for Ethics in Society at Stanford through their Collaborative Research Grant, and is available to screen in communities throughout the Bay Area.

Selected as a postdoctoral fellow at the McCoy Center for Ethics in Society at Stanford University, examining the ethical dimensions of conservation biology, genomics, and environmental policy.

Part of the RELP cohort at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment — a program training the next generation of leaders in environmental policy, science, and community engagement.

Served on the advisory board for Partnerships for Climate Justice Bay Area, a Haas Center initiative connecting Stanford students with Bay Area community organizations working on climate and environmental justice.

Led hands-on demonstrations of plant cells for youth of all ages at Stanford's annual Bio-X Science Day, making plant biology accessible and exciting for young learners.

Participated in SciencePenPals, a program connecting scientists in the Stanford community with curious middle and high schoolers across the US and internationally who are seeking mentorship and guidance in science.

Peer speaking tutor supporting students at all stages of the oral presentation process, helping them develop clarity, confidence, and communication skills for academic and professional settings.

Volunteer scientist in the STEMbassador program at The Tech Interactive's Bowers Institute, connecting educators with scientists to deliver Meet-a-Scientist and research presentations that build scientific literacy and STEM exposure in K–12 classrooms.