People

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.

I am an educator with Audubon Rockies working towards getting youth and families outdoors since 2006. I operate a bird banding station near my home at Keyhole State Park in northeast Wyoming and create teacher resources for use in and out of the classroom.

I speak for the trees.