People

Judy Braus brings to her role as NAAEE Executive Director a wealth of experience in the environmental education profession, with a focus on conservation education, diversity and inclusion, and using the power of education to help create healthier communities that empower local communities, stakeholders, and individuals to help restore and protect the environment. She comes to NAAEE from the National Audubon Society, where she was the Senior Vice President of Education and Centers, overseeing an extensive nationwide network of nature centers and educators. Prior to that, she led the education programs at World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the U.S. Peace Corps, and the National Wildlife Federation (NWF).

I've been an environmental advocate ever since I can remember. I fell in love with nature when I was in girl scouts at a young age and my love and advocacy has continued to grow since. I've turned my love of the environment into a career, teaching science and the performing arts. I'm currently a 5-7th grade Science teacher. 

I am an interpretive naturalist based in the DMV area with a degree in Biological Sciences from Wellesley College. I have experience with a mobile nature center, a brick-and-mortar nature center, the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience program, and come from a background in outdoor preschool teaching. I am passionate about interpretation and environmental education and I love building emotional connections between people and the nature around them!

Emily grew up outdoors and loves cloud gazing. After living in many states, she moved to the Pacific Northwest and attended graduate school at the University of Washington.  There she received her M.Ed. and a certification in Environment, Education and Community from IslandWood. She has always brought her passion for people and protecting the environment together.  If you can't find her-- she is certain to be adventuring on the trails: smelling juniper cones, cloud gazing, or riding bikes with her two spirited children.

Project GROWS is a nonprofit educational farm in Augusta County, Virginia with a mission to grow a healthy community by connecting all people to nutritious foods. Our farm stewards a healthy ecosystem that yields nutrient-dense food as well as providing beautiful, engaging natural spaces that promote self-discovery and joy. We provide experiential, hands-on education through summer camps, in-school activities, and mentorship programs. Our team also manages multiple farmers markets that improve food security and contribute to our local food economy. We envision a world with an equitable food system where everyone has the access and knowledge to choose, grow, and enjoy foods that support a healthy life.

Professor of Environmental Education at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point;  Director of the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education

Reclaiming the roots of education!

• We believe in the holistic benefits of nature-based learning for children.
• We endeavor to heighten awareness of the importance of understanding child development in learning environments.
• We seek to contribute to sweet communion through networks of support, inspiration, and collaboration.Our methods include: forming authentic relationships, offering LIVE online certification courses, facilitating on-site training, providing affordable consulting services, organizing regional retreats, and helping envision sustainable site development plans. 

FSTI training and certification is endorsed by the MSED in Outdoor Teacher Education at Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tennessee.

In 2021, Jean retired as Wauhatchie School Director to further her mission of training others to teach and establish Forest Schools around the globe through the Forest School Teacher Institute, which she founded in 2018. With in-person sessions and the online Zoom program, she has helped train over 1000 forest school teachers and directors from almost every state in the US, Canada, China, Thailand, Korea, Italy, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Bahamas, and Dominica.

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.

My name is Raegan Edwards and I work for the Burke Soil and Water Conservation district. I have been working for a few months, and have already learned so much about what conservation districts do in North Carolina. I have been enjoying my work so far as well as learning new things everyday. 

Brock Adler is an environmental education consultant and lobbyist, green investor, and Chair of the NAAEE Advocacy Committee. He has worked and volunteered in the field for many years, and helped lead the effort to include environmental education in the 2015 federal education bill.