About Us
Mission
Raintree Revival is dedicated to nurturing biodiversity in the Raintree neighborhood by inspiring curiosity, care, and connection with our shared green spaces. Through hands-on involvement and community-driven efforts, we aim to cultivate a more vibrant and healthy landscape for all residents to enjoy.
Philosophy
We believe conservation starts at home. When we pay attention to the life that surrounds us, from the smallest pollinator to the tallest oak, we begin to see that healthy ecosystems and healthy communities are deeply intertwined.
Our approach is rooted in respect for the natural processes that sustain our shared environment. Rather than viewing wildlife as a nuisance or our landscapes as something to be controlled, we see them as partners in a living system that can flourish when given the chance. By learning, adapting, and working together, neighbors can play an active role in shaping a resilient and biodiverse neighborhood that reflects both ecological integrity and human stewardship.
At its core, Raintree Revival is about fostering connection—between people and place, between curiosity and care. We believe that small, local actions, multiplied across a community, can inspire meaningful change.
Leadership
Matthew McIntyre Withrow, Founder & CEO
Matthew is the founder of Raintree Revival and brings a practical, systems-oriented approach to community conservation. A lifelong wildlife enthusiast, he has spent decades observing ecosystems in the field, with a particular focus on birds. An avid birder, Matthew set North Carolina’s all-time Big Year record in 2021—an experience that sharpened his appreciation for ecological complexity across landscapes and seasons.
Matthew holds a Master’s degree in Economics, with a specialization in Energy and Environmental Economics, which informs his focus on pragmatic, evidence-based solutions to environmental challenges. He approaches habitat restoration as a problem of incentives, tradeoffs, and long-term resilience rather than ideology. His perspective has been shaped further through extensive time spent with family friends who manage a 3,400-acre preserve in western North Carolina, where land stewardship requires daily, practical decision-making.
Inspired by the land ethic of Aldo Leopold, Matthew believes conservation succeeds when it is grounded in observation, humility, and measurable outcomes. Through Raintree Revival, he works to connect neighbors with achievable actions that support biodiversity, drawing interest and insight from across all kingdoms of life. His work emphasizes stewardship that is local, adaptive, and firmly rooted in real-world constraints.
JuanLuis "JL" Periche-Feliz, Board Member At Large
JL brings over two decades of experience as a systems engineer and technology professional to the board of Raintree Revival, Inc. A lifelong problem solver, he has built his career designing, maintaining, and improving complex systems that enhance organizational efficiency. He views conservation as a systems challenge in which success depends on balance, feedback, and sustainability. Through his work with Raintree Revival, he applies technical precision and data-driven insight to practical, community-focused initiatives. JL holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Appalachian State University and continues to merge innovation, stewardship, and long-term resilience in his professional and civic efforts.