People

Hello, I'm Sarah. I am currently enrolled in the Project Dragonfly Master's Program through Miami University of Ohio. 
The focus of my studies is on informal learning and the representation and engagement of biodiversity conservation. Through Project Dragonfly I have had many unique experiences with community-based conservation and have engaged in two Earth Expeditions. The first was to Baja California and the second was to the Western Ghats of India. Both are sites for UNESCO World Heritage for Culture and Ecology. Being able to take part in this program has allowed me to grow as a conservationist and educator. 

Sarada has a Masters in Ecology, and has worked in environmental consulting as well as environmental education.  She has worked in organizations such as Chicago Botanic Garden, Three Rivers Park District, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden and Communitopia, where she developed and taught hands-on programs for all ages and helped design interactive exhibits and spaces.  She is passionate about increasing access to nature for everyone, especially for young people. She is a 2023 CEE-Change Fellow. 

Jessica joined Black Rock Forest in 2023 as the Director of Education. Her primary focus is educational programming for K–16 students, teachers, and the general public. Jessica taught middle and high school science in the Bronx for six years, beginning as an NYC Teaching Fellow in 2017. Prior to teaching, Jessica conducted postdoctoral research in wildlife conservation modeling in Germany for four years; first at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology and then as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Biology at the University of Konstanz. She also taught college biology courses focused on assessing habitat loss of forest endemic birds. Jessica holds a BS in Nutritional Sciences from Cornell University, an MS and PhD in Biology from Rutgers University, and an MSEd in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, K-12 from City College of New York.