People

I am a student at Cal Poly Humboldt learning to become an environmental educator and interpreter. 

I am an experienced conservation educator and outreach specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the zoological industry. My skills include public speaking, fundraising, data collection, and community engagement. I am an engaging professional with a Bachelors of Science focused in Zoo and Conservation Science and Biology from Otterbein University. Graduating from Otterbein University’s honors program, my published undergraduate thesis focused on Conservation Psychology. I am currently pursuing a MS in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Conservation Psychology from Antioch University. My interests and experiences involve creating and implementing impactful conservation education programs, as well as evaluating their success.

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Hello my name is Natalya. I am 27 years old. I am married with a son and another on the way. I have been a para at my local elementary school for 2.5 years now and have also been in the military since 2014. 

Melissa Taggart has been working in the field of environmental education for more than 20 years, and currently serves as Environmental Education Specialist with the USDA Forest Service. Prior to this role, Melissa served as Managing Director at the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) where she managed the organization’s international programs, and supported strategic planning, fundraising, and evaluation for the organization. She also worked at the National Audubon Society on a $25 million partnership with Toyota to build community conservation efforts and to strengthen and diversify environmental leadership. Melissa has a B.A. from Franklin and Marshall College and an M.S. from the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment, and lives in Takoma Park, MD. 

I am currently pursuing a career in the environmental and conservation education field. I have held various seasonal positions in environmental education trip leading and program planning and development, as well as field conservation work. My experiences taught me to adapt to unexpected changes and circumstances, to clearly communicate with others, to organize people in the midst of stressful situations, and to collaborate as a team member. Strong attention to detail and a conscientious work ethic guide everything I do. I aim to bring environmental awareness and knowledge of sustainability to the public through environmental education programs that communicate the importance of conservation and ecological concerns. I am currently looking for opportunities in environmental education, outreach, education program planning and development, and field research.

I work at the Colorado State University Mountain Campus, working both with classes in higher education and with elementary education for local schools.

Hello, I am an environmental science and management major with a focus on environmental education and interpretation at Cal Poly Humboldt. 

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.