People

I am a wildlife ecologist and science educator. I run the public programs (K-12 field trips, in-class programs, curriculum development, citizen science projects, adult learning and volunteer opportunities) at the Univ. of Minnesota's Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve.

Hi I am Katie a small business owner and photographer.  I am an avid hiker, adventurer and explorer.  I have a BA in Anthropology and a MA in Environmental Studies.  I am a mother to two young boys and focus on providing them with educational opportunities to explore nature and our state and national parks.  I also run a trail group specifically for moms looking to opt outside and connect with other families that prioritize hiking, and being in nature.

Katie Boyd is a community engagement specialist at the Washington State Climate Office in the Climate Impacts Group at the University of Washington. Her background is in atmospheric science, ecology, and education research. She engages in climate education, communication and training, helping build more resilient communities. She also does research and evaluation on educational projects and helps develop educational materials.

I am a Va Master Naturalist, a long-time teacher from pre-K to college to adult.

I am a Professor in Environmental Studies with a focus on place-based environmental education and healthy and sustainable communities, primarily through The Engagement Lab. I am interested in cultural inclusion and participatory practices with particular interest in coastal California and Mexico.

Dr. Firrdevs Burcak is  an Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education at Biruni University. Her award-winning doctoral research focused on enhancing the quality of outdoor learning environments in preschools and supporting teachers’ effective use of these spaces. As a Visiting Scholar at the University of Minnesota Duluth, she collaborated with Professor Julie Ernst on research into nature’s impact on young children’s resilience and curiosity.

Dr. Burcak’s academic interests center on supporting children’s development and learning through nature-based learning with a particular focus on fostering resilience in both children and educators as well as promoting social-emotional learning and emotional well-being. In addition to her research, she has completed the Compassion-Based Resilience Teacher Training led by Dr. Joe Loizzo at the Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science and the Resilience Expert Training led by Dr. Michael Ungar at the Resilience Research Centre. Dedicated to advancing nature-based learning in early education, she engages with educators, school leaders, and families through seminars and workshops focused on nature pedagogy. She is the author of Outdoor Learning Environments in Early Childhood Education: Design & Effective Use.

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. 

Jen Johnson is an informal environmental educator, licensed clinical mental health counselor, mindfulness teacher, writer, and photographer in North Carolina. She offers a monthly workshop online --Ecological Grief: Practice and Presence with the Living World ---a gentle opportunity to practice praise and presence with the living world through mindfulness, writing, and ritual.Jen is a Regional Coordinator for the Climate Psychology Alliance of North America and a mindfulness instructor for University of North Carolina's Program on Integrative Medicine. 

Camp Skyelmar's mission is to be a positive difference in the world. We provide tranformative educational experiences to children across the world by instilling values of kindness, friendship, and respect. Located in Maine's Sebago Lakes Region, Skylemar's 220 acres are the perfect site for summertime-memories.