People

I have been an Environmental Educator for over 38 years. I'm currently teaching part time at the University of Southern Maine in the Environmental Science and Policy Department. I have retired from my work at Maine Audubon but still fill in when they need assistance.

Bug Hartsock is a graduating Master's student in an Entomology lab. When he's not staring at small critters, he spends his time reading, making art, and going on hikes (as well as playing plenty of Dungeons & Dragons). Bug is passionate about scientific outreach and communication, creating zines and comics designed to make science accessible to everyone. He's also spoken at conferences, on public radio, and at a variety of school outreach events. It's his hope to encourage the rest of the world to fall a little bit more in love with its tiny, many-legged residents.

I am a new teacher starting in the fall. I graduated with my Masters in May and am excited to join the Hardy team. I have two children and live in a small town where community means a great deal. This makes the MWEE idea perfect as helping make our farm and rural lands healthy is something most will get behind. Additionally, my background is in environmental engineering, so I do have a familarity in some of the concepts. I am excited to learn more and be well prepared for my journey!

Hi there! I am the Program Manager for Kaleidoscope Child Care on beautiful Orcas Island. You can learn more about us at www.ourkaleidoscopekids.com. We look forward to working with you!

Lauren Gibson has served as the Executive Director of the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE) since June 2026.

Lauren began her journey with environmental education through Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots program. Working with Roots & Shoots, Lauren created a small youth environmental grant program in her Indiana hometown, solidifying her dedication to helping young people find their power through environmental action.

Lauren holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Earth systems from Stanford University as well as a Ph.D. in environmental education from North Carolina State University. She built her career at NOAA, where she held roles in the Office of Education and on the agency’s leadership team. During the Biden Administration, Lauren served as NOAA’s first Policy Advisor on Youth Engagement, working to bring youth voice into federal decision-making.

In 2025, Lauren joined Colorado State University Extension, leading volunteer development for Colorado 4-H.

Rachel Arbor is a Presidential Award winner whose work has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, the EPA, and the White House. She is the CEO and Founder of Gaia Scholastic and the NY State Lead for SubjectToClimate. For both of these roles, her mission is to cultivate a generation of environmentally-literate global citizens by integrating nature and environmental concepts into the learning experiences of students of all ages and abilities. With a Masters in Education, she builds interdisciplinary content in a way that challenges students to make connections: with themselves, with each other, and with nature, across content areas. She trains teachers across the country on how to re-shape their curriculum through an environmental lens, coaches students on how to turn their climate anxiety into climate action, and fosters environmental connection in and out of the classroom.

I am an administrator in a K-8 Episcopal School. We have a 70-acre natural campus with a lake, waterfall, and woodlands that we leverage for learning, athletics, mindfulness lessons, and discovery with our students.

Educator | Author | Publisher | Entrepreneur | Non-profit Leader | Systems Thinker 

Victoria is passionate about transformational change in schools. Serving as the environmental education and service-learning consultant at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Victoria works with educators and organizations to increase capacity for equitable, authentic learning experiences through meaningful place-based education. She co-founded FIELD Edventures, a non-profit dedicated to taking learning outdoors and designed and led a project-based, environmental middle school.

My name is Cecilia Mann. I am passionate about education, exploring and studying the outdoors. Outside of work, I spend my weekends and evenings outdoors, whether it be kayking,hiking or fishing.

Environmental activist with a focus on community engagement, communication and social justice. Experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working with government, non-profits and business. Oregon Forestry Award Recipient. Elected Board Chair of Columbia Soil & Water Conservation District. Endorsed by the Sierra Club and Our Revolution.

Promoter in the “Formación para la Sustentabilidad” program at Centro de Información y Comunicación Ambiental de Norte América (CICEANA). Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sustainability from Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City, with experience in both academic and civil society settings across different regions of the country. Particularly interested in environmental education, community development, conservation, and environmental governance.