People

As the first Director of Education for a long-standing membership driven non-profit, I have opportunity to learn from our diverse program leaders and members every day. Our mission to preserve, protect, and restore is present in all of our citizen science projects and especially in our outreach to public school teachers in a collaborative project between Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and Loudoun Co. Public Schools. The Peterson Young Naturalist journaling program brings teachers and students to the outdoors and to the idea that nature can be our teacher and our classroom.

I have a background in freshwater fisheries management and outdoor education. I recently shifted to teaching full time in a higher ed institution. My courses include environmental education for natural resources students, ichthyology, principles of ecology, and marine ecology.

Passionate about the environment, education, and social innovation. I am dedicated to driving meaningful change through community engagement, collaboration, and leadership in conservation efforts.

Biologist with a Master's in Environmental Education, specializing in sustainability consulting in collaboration with national and international organizations. Have held public positions in environmental education within government agencies. Fellow of the Mesoamerican Reef Leadership Program of the Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature. Accredited with the Environmental Registry for developing Solid Waste Management Plans. University and Master's Degree Lecturer. Former Licensee for TEDxCancún and TEDx Ambassador for Mexico.

I am currently an AmeriCorps member serving with the Environmental Education Leadership Corps in Kentucky. I serve at the Louisville Nature Center where we provide educational programming for kids and adults of all ages with our forest preschool, summer camps, field trips, outreach, and guided hikes. 

For 50+ years, we have been guiding youth, adults and elders through life transitions, restoring rites of passage and building multi-generational community.

Erin began her career as a public-school educator in 2005. She is currently an elementary school counselor and was named the 2019 Virginia School Counselor of the Year. Historically, Erin focused on using mindfulness and yoga practices to support her students' mental health and wellness. She completed the Mindful Schools Curriculum Training and contributed to the development of the elementary school mindfulness curriculum for MINDS Inc. Erin is also a Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher and has led implementation of Yoga 4 Classrooms at her school and several schools throughout Fairfax County. Recently, Erin has become interested in utilizing the therapeutic benefits of nature to support her students. She is currently enrolled in the Virginia Environmental Education Certification program with the hopes of integrating aspects of environmental education into her school counseling program. Erin also leads the Green Team at her school and is working closely with students to design a new outdoor learning space and school garden on their campus.