People

PA Master Naturalist, mammal studies enthusiast, and student of nature pursuing EE for myself and my community. Always looking for connections that bring new perspectives and representation to the table. I'm an independent contractor in Pittsburgh who also enjoys being part of EE teams within larger organizations, where positive folks are working towards a shared goal of sparking curiosity.

Hobby taxidermist (sustainable sourcing only) with a traveling "mini museum" for engaging education. 

Joya lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her two sons and husband. She is the Director of Nature-Based Learning at the Wellington School, serving children from preschool through 12th grade. Joya is passionate about nature-based learning, sustainability, and teaching. 

Dr. Rachael Olliff Yang is a scientist, writer, and educator who is passionate about advancing conservation through communication and community connections.

Hi! My name is Landon. I work for Pasquotank Soil and Water Conservation. I work with cost-share programs, outreach, and offer technical support for local farmers. 

Student in 4+1 Graduate School of Education. Currently part-time student teaching high school.

Lori Mann has more than 40 years of experience in environmental education at the local, state, and national levels. Lori joined the NAAEE staff in 2012 as Program and Conference Manager and now serves as Director of Conferences and Programs. In this capacity, she manages all aspects of the NAAEE annual conference and coordinates several national projects related to building capacity to deliver high-quality environmental education. 

Ivaana Rungta is a music researcher, lyrical storyteller, and sound artist in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is the Founder and Director of CCL.She explored new worlds of experience beyond the ordinary by incorporating genuine discoveries and scientific research.Her primary objective was to promote a fresh outlook on narrative, music, and creative writing by fostering a spontaneous interaction between technology, mythology, art, design, literature, science, and music.

Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center is a private, 501(c)(3) non-profit, accredited school dedicated to fostering awareness, enhancing respect, and promoting personal responsibility for the natural world through inspiring environmental education experiences.

Project Coordinator Iowa Conservation Education Coalition

Sydney spent the bulk of her childhood learning and growing under the canopy of the southeastern deciduous forests that make up her home state of Virginia. She earned her B.A. in International Studies with a minor in Environmental Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. Following her undergraduate schooling, she began working as a youth environmental educator, leading her to eventually pursue her M.A. in the University of Utah's Environmental Humanities Program to study how nature-based programs can better support nature-connections across diverse groups. While in Utah, she also co-founded Camping in Color, an overnight program designed for black youth and their families in the Salt Lake Valley area to enhance a sense of belonging, appreciation, and engagement in the outdoors. She joins the Natural Start Alliance team excited to further her work in making quality early childhood environmental education more accessible to all.