People

I am a senior in high school and am interested in pursuing a career in environmental literacy and research. I am doing a one year, 450 hour, apprenticeship at an Office of Environmental Literacy and Outdoor Education while also being a student. I am passionate about climate change and sustainability and have devoted my career to it. I want to major in environmental science in college next year and am very excited to grow my knowledge in the field. 

I’m passionate about connecting people—especially children—with the outdoors through hands-on, engaging education. I manage a team of five interpreters at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, where we lead desert ecosystem programs that incorporate the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) along with science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM). I believe that empowering kids with knowledge builds confidence and helps set them up for future success. Outside of work, I enjoy exploring nature through birding, running, hiking, backpacking, canoeing, skiing, and snowshoeing.

Salida Mountain Trails (SMT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to build and maintain sustainable, multi-use trails; steward public lands; and promote a thriving trail community. SMT manages 70 miles of singletrack spread across two trail systems close to town—Arkansas Hills and Methodist Mountain—as well as part of the iconic Monarch Crest.

After teaching indoors for 28 years, Kari Wilson has spent the last six years outdoors in Michigan's forests, farms and waterways where she has served as a youth and family Educator for the Oceana Conservation District.