People

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are not only home to the largest living trees on Earth but they also contain some of the darkest skies in California. The first ever Dark Sky Festival during the weekend of July 25-27, 2014, in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks hopes to promote this incredible, scenic wonder to Park visitors, amateur astronomers and wilderness enthusiasts. Activities range from speakers on robotic mars missions to current and former astronauts; water rocket launches to Junior Sky Ranger programs. 
Sadly, we are losing our ability to see the stars with increasing light pollution and only one-third of Americans can see the Milky Way with the naked eye. This event hopes to inspire people to preserve dark skies in their homes and communities through action. The International Dark Sky Association, also attending the Festival, will showcase actions to help share this message such as changing outdoor light fixtures to direct light downward, creating community ordinances, and simply turning off our lights when we don’t use them. If successful, this event will return for 2015, and continue as an annual event for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Tara has been living and working in Sequoia National Park for almost 5 years. Arriving to the Park with a degree in Biology from Saint Michael’s College in Vermont, and experience in outdoor guiding and non-profits, a certain cross-country road trip inspired her to move to the west coast to pursue a career in environmental education. In the Park, Tara leads hiking tours for school groups, and private tours for the general public. She also manages astronomy, living history, campfires, and other naturalist programs and has organized the first ever Dark Sky Festival for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Apart from teaching, Tara also enjoys skiing, backpacking, biking, and traveling. 

Sergio is Communications Specialist at Resource Watch, contributing to bringing the platform’s research and data to the audiences so they can get the best of it. Sergio is a passionate advocate of sustainable urban mobility. He moves around the city on his bike and enjoys being part of its diversity

Andra provides leadership in implementing a broad Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Initiative that focuses on promoting environmental literacy and preparing leaders to integrate environmental sustainability and a climate ready mindset across all facets of school institutions.

Hi! I'm the Education Outreach Coordinator for Forests Ontario, a not-for-profit organization focused on tree planting, forest stewardship, forest education and awareness. We run events such as Tree Bee and the Ontario Envirothon, in addition to programs like Forestry in the Classroom.

Dr. Eugene Cordero is a climate scientist and professor in the Department of Meteorology and Climate Science at San José State University.  Eugene is also the founder of Green Ninja, an education publisher that uses climate and environmental solutions as a lens for teaching science.  

Hi my name is Alea and I use the pronouns, she, her. I enjoy the outdoors and now more than ever I feel a deep connection to protecting our planet.