People

Short in stature, but long in my love of learning. My goal is to be a lifelong learner, a wandering wonderer, and a force for good in my personal and professional life. My life was shaped by a childhood of relocations which resulted in my relying on books as a source of stability. Thus began my steady relationship with books of all kinds which I obtained in school and local public libraries. This habit became a career as I parlayed that passion for knowledge into education. The lessons learned during pursuit and my attainment of a Masters degree in Montessori Education positively shaped my adult life as a parent, and as an educator. The philosophy of Montessori matched my own thoughts about the care of self, care of others, and care of the world. These principles of kindness, the ethical treatment of all living things, my love of nature, the power of knowledge, and the importance of personal responsibility guide the way I live life and continues to influence my career path.

I'm an associate professor at NC State studying children & nature and environmental education. I'm interested how being outside can provide benefits for children, as well as how youth can create positive change in their communities. I have a strong interest in partnering with EE organizations for evaluation, as well as research around community-based environmental learning. 

Passionate about environmental conservation, education, and research.

MICHAEL J. CADUTO has been sharing his passion for the natural world with others for more than four decades. He is an award-winning expert and leader in natural history, environmental education, climate change education, cultural diversity and Earth stewardship; author of two dozen related books for adults and children, including the international best-selling Keepers of the Earth^® series (co-author), Pond and Brook, Catch the Wind-Harness the Sun and Riparia’s River; master performer of stories and original music; literary and script consultant and international environmental advocate. He has presented to audiences in Europe, the Middle East and throughout North America, and has been featured by NPR and the BBC. His latest (picture) book is The Day the Pond Flew South. Website: www.p-e-a-c-e.net

I am a Life Science teacher at a middle school in Charles County, Maryland.  I have been a teacher for over 20 years but have only been teaching science for 5 of them.   Not only am I a life science teacher to 7th graders, but my family owns a 250 acre farm where we focus on stewardship and conservation.  My husband is also a watermen on the Potomac River where he catches Blue Crab and plants and harvests oysters. Our family acheived the Aldo Leopold Conservation Award in 2021 with our efforts of conservation on the land and water.  Environmental education is near and dear to my heart.

I'm currently enrolled in Antioch University's MS in Environmental Studies program—with a (likely) concentration in Environmental Education and Conservation Psychology. My background in environmental education mostly stems from my work as a divemaster, and throughout my career as a digital marketing / branding specialist for sustainable brands. 

Founded in 2011, Bow Seat is the world's largest environmental youth program for the creative arts. We provide an innovative space for youth to connect, create, and communicate for our blue planet. Working at the intersection of ocean science and arts education, our award-winning Ocean Awareness Contest emphasizes creative thinking and making in exploring the natural world. Through art exhibitions, publications, and scholarships, Bow Seat uplifts diverse youth voices to advance dialogue and participation in environmental conservation. We empower young thinkers and creators to be active and empathetic global citizens, starting in their local communities and watersheds.

Ana Leirner oversees Project Learning Tree’s professional learning initiatives and curriculum offerings. She advances the work of the SFI education pillar by ensuring that people working with youth and communities have the resources, knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to advance environmental education, forest literacy, and green career pathways through the lens of trees and forests. Ana is passionate about leveraging the power of education to create a more sustainable future. Before joining SFI, she worked as a learning designer in various industries, developing courses on topics that included climate and STEM education. Originally from Brazil, she now lives in the Washington D.C. area with her family. Ana holds a Master of Education in Educational Media and Technology from Boston University and a Master of Business Administration from Fundação Getulio Vargas in São Paulo, Brazil.