People

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.

Biologist and educator Yamid Eduardo Campos Umbarila (M.Sc. Environmental Sciences) leads "Caminatas Ecológicas Bogotá - Conexión Natural." Driven by the philosophy "Know to Conserve," he transforms High Andean forests, mystical paramos, and hidden waterfalls into "Living Laboratories." With 17+ years of expertise, Yamid specializes in wildlife sighting and ecological interpretation, using biophilia to foster deep environmental bonds. He believes that scientific understanding is the foundation of protection. By exploring Colombia's diverse ecosystems, he bridges the gap between biology and conservation, turning every trek into a meaningful lesson for preserving our planet.

Preethi Mony is a specialist in the field of environmental education, program evaluation and grants and has a wide range of experience from developing resource matierials, conducting programs with children and adults, as well as evaluating programs and grant reporting.

Growing up in the busy metropolis of Mumbai, she quickly recognized the importance of the social aspects of conservation in protecting the natural world. She has worked with organizations in India and the US to help with environmental education program planning and resource development. She has over 20 years of experience working with zoos and museums to evaluate programs and exhibits and recommend strategies to improve the overall visitor experience. Over the last 2 years, she has worked at a local community college to support grant work (federal, state, and private) as well as to inform data driven decision making in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space. She brings all of these experiences to her current role of EE Grant and Program Manager at NAAEE.

Preethi holds a Ph.D. in Natural Resources from The Ohio State University. She earned her M.S. in interdisciplinary Ecology from the University of Florida, and a B.Sc. in Life Sciences from the University of Mumbai, India.

My name is Sally Wren Stevens & I am a veteran early childhood & special educator. I have worked with children 8 years & younger- & their families- for nearly 35 years now. In 2016, I received my Forest School practitioner certification and certification from Forest Schools Canada & soon went on to establish the first Forest School at the NM School for the Deaf & this program is still operating today: Happy Hands, Happy Hearts: Forest Day Learning at the New Mexico School for the Deaf | Natural Start Alliance

A year later, having caught the "forest school bug" in a big, BIG way, I founded SOL Forest School in the high mountain desert of New Mexico. In 2019, I stepped into SOL full-time & the rest is history! 

I am a HUGE advocate of play & specifically- outdoor nature play- for all children & their families. I am also a certified Shinrin Yoku Forest Therapy Guide & I enjoy guiding professionals working with children the most :)

I am excited to be presenting on the AMAZING Children's Forest program based in the UK at this year's conference. I hope it will inspire other nature-based programs to plant & tend trees with their children.

www.solforestschool.com

I am currently in my 26th year of teaching 8th grade science and enjoying sharing my love of learning and exploring with students.  

I am a teacher. Currently, I am teaching fourth grade at Our Lady of Good Counsel.

I am an ecologist and educator, working primarily in public outreach related to plant conservation, sustainability and southeastern ecosystems. My research interests are in nature play, science literacy, biodiversity, and disturbance. I want to connect with others who have similar jobs/interests.

My name is David Powell, and I am a southeastern North Carolina guy, born and raised.  I am proud Christian, shooter, and hunter all my life.  I work full time for North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality in the Septage Management Program currently.  I have worked for NCDEQ since February of 2015.  I became a teacher at Cape Fear Community College through taking on a side job, outside of NCDEQ, by accepting a position of instructing a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator, Grade 1 and 2 initial certification course in Fall 2020.  I enjoy teaching and help others in the environmental and wastewater fields.

I am a high school biology teacher. I love the outdoors and teaching my students ecological concepts. I am married to my husband Mark and have 2 boys, Weston (6) and Davis (5). Both of my boys love science! We are constantly spending time outdoors, looking under rocks for creatures, hiking, fishing, or performing science experiments in the kitchen. I believe nature has a unique way of inspiring learning and appreciation for the environment. My goal is to help students recognize the beauty of nature and develop a deeper respect for the world around them.

I am a retired teacher and spend much of my time volunteering for Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards in Philadelphia County, PA. I have always been interested in environmental education and enjoy working outdoors with peers and student groups.