People

Ethan Peters is the founder and director of The HART Center, a nature based hybrid microschool and 501c3 nonprofit in Red Rock, Texas, serving children ages 3 to 18 through relational mentorship, nature immersion, hands on trade skills, and project based learning. He brings more than twenty years in education, including work as a school principal and as a quantitative ecological researcher, and his approach draws on intrinsic motivation science and indigenous learning models. Alongside his partner Angela, he is growing a village model learning community built on real relationships, hands on skill, and time on the land.

I am a documentary filmmaker and home gardener who has been volunteering at the North Carolina Botanical Garden for more than ten years.

Christopher Davis is a passionate sustainability advocate hailing from Compton, CA driven to ameliorate the impact climate change has on kids by accelerating the adoption of renewable energy systems via educational institutions, while incorporating hands-on STEM education into secondary and collegiate curricula, especially those in disadvantaged and low-income communities. He is currently a project manager for the renewable energy consulting firm, TRC Companies, as well as the Community Coordinator for Color Compton & Assistant Curator at the Compton Art & History Museum. An alumnus of San Diego State University, he earned his degree in Environmental Science, with minors in Education and Political Science, and he is currently pursuing his Masters in Energy Systems Management at the University of San Francisco. During his time at State, he served in various roles, including Founder & President of Black Campus Ministries & advisor to University Senate for sustainability and environmental impact on disadvantaged communities. Chris is a devout Christian, ardent Lego enthusiast, and an avid fan of manga, movies, & amusement parks.

I'm Mac! I'm currently working at a school where I get to teach kids about environmental topics from composting to gardening. My K-5 kids learn how to properly dispose of food waste, the benefits of composting, and how this applies to our hands-on work in the garden. 

Jenna North is a passionate leader, plagued by her own climate-induced anxieties that likely seeded into her psyche when she was a young girl living in Vermont in the late eighties and read Bill McKibben's "The End of Nature"(arguably the first book on climate change). 

Mary Beth Factor is an environmental education professional with 15 years of experience supporting nonprofit organizations, government agencies, schools, and educators through administration, communications, and program coordination. She previously worked with the Missouri Department of Conservation and has contributed to environmental education efforts through organizations including Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, Trees For Tomorrow, and the Missouri Environmental Education Association. Mary Beth is passionate about connecting people with nature and supporting the work of environmental educators and conservation organizations.

North Carolina Naturalist

Jimena Cuenca supports NAAEE's digital presence, helping maintain and improve our websites like eePRO so that it serves as a welcoming and useful space for environmental educators. Jimena brings a deep curiosity about how online communities grow, connect, and collaborate. She enjoys learning new digital tools and is always looking to make our web spaces more engaging. When not at work, she's walking her huskies and birding.

Adrian has enjoyed a lifelong career in environmental education. Starting out as a park ranger, he has since served as Statewide Director of Education at Massachusetts Audubon, Director of Operations at the Center for Whole Communities, in Vermont, and as NAAEE's Senior Director for Technology Programs. As the founder of eeMatters, an environmental education and interpretive planning consulting group, Adrian led professional and community-based teams that developed strategic plans, master interpretive plans, exhibits, and technology-based communication tools for clients as varied as NAAEE, Maine Audubon, Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Trustees of Reservations, Monadnock Media, Old Sturbridge Village, and New York Botanical Gardens.

I am a third-grade teacher at Chinquapin Elementary School, located in Duplin County, North Carolina. I am responsible for teaching Language Arts, Mathmatics, Science, Social Studies and Health. I taught kindergarten for 18 years, and this year I was given the opportunity to teach third grade. My goal as an educator is to integrate environmental education and global awareness as part of my daily instruction.

I am currently an 8th grade middle school science teacher.  I have been teacher 22 years.  I am a fan of nature and all things wildlife.  I tell a lot of bigfoot stories in my classes when time permits (Not because I believe in it, but because they are perfect for kids this age.  And mine).  I have a few pets at home, they range from dogs, snakes, cats, spiders,tortoises,  etc...).

Experience thrilling driving games or fast-paced action games on Free Online Games. Not only that, there's a wide variety of multiplayer, io, puzzle, and casual games suitable for both children and adults.

Charissa V. Jones (she/her/hers) is the Outreach and Access Manager for the Oregon State University (OSU) Extension Service Outdoor School Program and a scholar-practitioner working at the intersections of Black Studies, outdoor and environmental education, Extension and Engagement, and community-engaged scholarship. With more than 20 years of experience across formal, informal, and environmental education, her work explores how race, gender, power, place, and joy shape experiences of nature, recreation, and public space. Her research centers Black Joy, belonging, and community as pathways toward more equitable and liberatory futures.

I have been involved in informal eduaction off and on most of my life. As a camp counslor in a Boy Scout camp I first learned my love for teaching outdoor skills and classes. About 10 years ago I quit my blue color job and began working as an outdoor educator. First with the US Forest Service and then a an NPS Park Ranger in the interpretative and education department. My current job combines a lot of my past experinces in a fulfilling way. 

learner teacher of ecology and art

Jill Rich is an educator and director of the Center for Environmental Studies and Sustainability at Varina High School in Henrico County, Virginia. With extensive experience in curriculum development, GIS instruction, and project-based learning, she leads innovative, sustainability-focused programs that connect students with real-world environmental challenges. She coordinates capstone projects, field experiences, and community partnerships, preparing students to apply geospatial thinking in meaningful and impactful ways.