People

At Deer Hill, our mission is to empower individuals to create an authentic connection to self and community through wilderness and service experiences. We have been operating in the Southwest since 1984, rafting, canoeing, backpacking, and otherwise exploring. But what truly sets us apart is our element of cross-cultural service.
Over the past 30 years, we have been building relationships with families on the Navajo Nation and in Hopi and Zuni Pueblos. We believe that connecting our students with the folks whose land they're traversing is an incredible and necessary part of building a relationship with the land. Deer Hill's programs are built on the kind of intimate relationship with people and places that takes time and dedication to create.

I am an outdoor enthusiast who loves spending any time outdoors that I can. I enjoy time outside with friends or solo. 

Welcome Center Assistant at the Jefferson Memorial Forest in Louisville, KY. Informal environmental education for all ages. 

I was origioally in public school but switched to homeschool during covid. I enjoy teahing children so I am seeking to teach elementary school.

I am married and have two sons and three grandchildren.  I have worked as a paraprofessional in ID self contained classrooms for 31 years.  I am in a program through Eau Claire Universitiy called "Transition to teaching."  My goal is to become a licensed teacher and teach my own classroom.  I love to read, cook, take walks, travel, shop, and spend time with my family and grandchildren.  

Lori Mann has more than 40 years of experience in environmental education at the local, state, and national levels. Lori joined the NAAEE staff in 2012 as Program and Conference Manager and now serves as Director of Conferences and Programs. In this capacity, she manages all aspects of the NAAEE annual conference and coordinates several national projects related to building capacity to deliver high-quality environmental education. 

My name is Diego Hernandez and I am a professional animal keeper. I am a graduate from the Zoo and Aquarium Science program at Davidson and Davie County Community College. I have worked for the North Carolina Zoo and currently work at Rowan Wild at Dan Nicholas Park in Salisbury, North Carolina. I've been in this field since 2018 and have expanded into environmental education. In addition to animal care, I am also proficient in educational programming and am a certified interpretive guide. 

A former middle school science teacher with a background in geology, I joined Rocky Mountain Conservancy in 2022 to help revive our Field Institute after a two year hiatus. I'm excited to lead the program into it's next chapter. I care deeply about the outdoors, protecting wild spaces, and helping people learn about the natural world. I can think of no better place to do that than spectacular Rocky Mountian National Park, and am honored to carry on the Field Institute's legacy of connecting our participants with expert instructors and helping them forge a deeper understanding and love of our public lands.

Valerie Allgrove is a writer, photographer, and educator who has been studying nature for many years. In 2026 she received a Master Naturalist certificate from the State of Connecticut. While she is a generalist, she also has areas of specific concentration including Monarch Butterflies, Pegmatite Minerals, American Hazelnuts, Wild Orchids, and Foraging.

Valerie has won awards for her informational videos, photograps, and presentations. Her lifes's goal is to increase others understanding and enjoyment of the natural world.

The website www.pleasantgardensct.com documents many of Valerie Allgrove's enthusiasms and writing.