People

Lucy is an associate teaching professor in the Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management (RPTM) Department at Penn State University.

Cheron H. Davis, Ph.D. is a professor of reading education at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Recognized as one of the top 25 leading women in higher education by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education and as Florida Project Learning Tree’s Educator of the Year, Dr. Davis is a practitioner at heart and maintains healthy, robust relationships with classroom teachers throughout the U.S.

Dr. Davis's initiative, ECO-READ (Empowering Conservation through Observation, Reading Education, Application, & Discovery), integrates STEM and literacy education with a focus on environmental education within HBCU teacher preparation programs. ECO-READ aims to enhance both teaching practices and environmental literacy among preservice teachers by bridging the gap between environmental education and literacy.

Dr. Davis’s research investigates the complex intersections of literacy, identity, and pedagogy within HBCUs. Grounded in critical literacy theory and sociocultural frameworks, her scholarship examines the belief systems, self-efficacy, and reflective practices of preservice teachers in early literacy and interdisciplinary contexts. Her current projects integrate environmental and reading education through the Eco-Read initiative, a federally supported effort to explore how experiences with ecological literacy shape teacher preparation and student engagement in STEM-rich environments. Dr. Davis examines the mechanisms by which culturally responsive pedagogy, disciplinary literacy, and social justice–oriented teacher education converge to foster equitable reading outcomes. Her research agenda advances a transformative vision for literacy teacher preparation, particularly within HBCU ecosystems, emphasizing sustainable instructional models that bridge the cognitive, cultural, and environmental dimensions of learning.

Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet is a 7-week online course rooted in Thich Nhat Hanh's profound teachings. 

Learn more at: plumvillage.org/zasp

Sowing the seeds of awe in the hearts and minds of young learners is the greatest thing I can do. My mission to impact positively on the world through young people has spanned 30 years as a high school teacher and continues today. I am passionate and positive about our future because I know the mindset of young people is radically different than the mindset of our current ruling generation. My job to help instill a deeper understanding and respect keeps me going every day.

I am an educator and program designer passionate about creating learning experiences that connect people, place, and community. My work spans nature-based education, experiential learning, educator development, and collaborative program design.

I am currently a graduate student at UNCW pursuing my MS in Environmental Science and MAT in Middle Grades Education. My background is in biology with a concentration in microbio and marine science, as well as in experiential education primarily through rock climbing and other adventure-ed programs.

Rikki Heath supports teachers and non-formal educators by ensuring they have the tools to teach about Oregon’s forests. At OFRI, she helps provide free educational materials, transportation reimbursement for forest field trips, professional development for educators, and career events like Envirothon for high school students.

Before OFRI, she spent 11 summers with the U.S. Forest Service in roles including botany, firefighting, and leading Oregon Youth Conservation Corps crews. She holds a master’s in education with a focus on environmental education from Concordia University and a bachelor’s in kinesiology and education from Lewis-Clark State College.

Originally from Central Oregon, Rikki enjoys spending time outdoors, especially running and rafting with her family.

Katie has been active in the field of environmental education for more than 20 years. She currently works as an environmental and outdoor learning consultant, partnering with the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) to strengthen environmental education networks and support national initiatives that build capacity across the field. Previously, Katie served for 17 years as Executive Director of the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE), where she led environmental literacy planning and implementation efforts and helped advance environmental education through statewide partnerships, policy, and collaboration. Her work continues to focus on building the people, partnerships, and systems needed to ensure everyone has access to high-quality environmental and outdoor learning opportunities.

Favour Eragbie is a leading global environmentalist who is driven by the principle that you can only protect what you know about. She strongly advocates for climate education, climate justice and youth development.

I am an Assistant Professor of Special Education at the University of Houston-Downtown. Along with teaching special education courses, I work in the field with pre-service teachers as a clinical coach. My research explores the advancements of increased accessibility, program inclusion, and equitable practices within EE educational opportunities for historically marginalized communities.