People

Hello! My name is Belle and I'm currently an undergrad at University of Stevens Point - Wisconsin. I'm going onto my 3rd year to earn my bachleors in Environmental Education and Interpretation, as well as a minor in Media Studies. Some activities I enjoy include hiking, drawing, scrapbooking, gaming, and playing volleyball. 

Dr. Lynson G. Ablaza is an Outdoor Education Specialist at the William S. Schmidt Outdoor Education Center. With 30 years in education—including 20 years teaching K–12 in the U.S.—his passion for the environment began in high school through the Saving Mother Earth Movement. He intentionally integrates outdoor experiences like hiking, planting, animal handling, and conservation projects into his instruction to bring concepts and vocabulary to life. Dr. Ablaza believes immersive outdoor learning empowers students to become thoughtful stewards of the planet they will inherit.

Katie has been active in the field of environmental education for more than 20 years. She currently works as an environmental and outdoor learning consultant, partnering with the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) to strengthen environmental education networks and support national initiatives that build capacity across the field. Previously, Katie served for 17 years as Executive Director of the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE), where she led environmental literacy planning and implementation efforts and helped advance environmental education through statewide partnerships, policy, and collaboration. Her work continues to focus on building the people, partnerships, and systems needed to ensure everyone has access to high-quality environmental and outdoor learning opportunities.

For three years I facilitated two of the four WI Registry Nature-Based Early Childhood Education Credential courses at UW-Whitewater. Prior to COVID, I created the Wonder Bugs Preschool Program (child and adult program) and implemented the Nature Preschool at Aldo Leopold Nature Center.

I am a 25 year old student studying the interconnections of plants, animals, and humanity with minors in botany and journalism. I love to hike, go backpacking, identify plants, do gymnastics, do art (especially painting), etc. I have two cats, Winnie Fig and Cedar. I am originally from Colorado.

I am married and have two sons and three grandchildren.  I have worked as a paraprofessional in ID self contained classrooms for 31 years.  I am in a program through Eau Claire Universitiy called "Transition to teaching."  My goal is to become a licensed teacher and teach my own classroom.  I love to read, cook, take walks, travel, shop, and spend time with my family and grandchildren.