Aldo Leopold Nature Center (ALNC) is fortunate to have a dedicated team of Environmental Educators with a variety of backgrounds, who use their knowledge of local flora and fauna and their passion for environmental education to carry out our mission to nurture children, their well-being, and environmental sustainability through connecting and learning in nature. ALNC Environmental Educators (EEs) have significant experience working outdoors with children and backgrounds in a wide variety of fields. All EEs have been through a thorough background check, are certified in Standard First Aid and CPR, and are fully-vaccinated against COVID-19.
To meet out Nature Preschool Staff, please visit our Nature Preschool Staff page.
Education Manager
Shaina
shaina@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Shaina’s enthusiasm for the outdoors began at a young age and continues to this day. Prior to joining ALNC, Shaina enjoyed working in and exploring a variety of mountain, desert, prairie, wetland, forest and river habitats. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Kenyon College and a master’s degree in environmental education from UW-Stevens Point. Birding, hiking and rock climbing are some of her favorite outdoor activities.
shaina@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Shaina’s enthusiasm for the outdoors began at a young age and continues to this day. Prior to joining ALNC, Shaina enjoyed working in and exploring a variety of mountain, desert, prairie, wetland, forest and river habitats. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Kenyon College and a master’s degree in environmental education from UW-Stevens Point. Birding, hiking and rock climbing are some of her favorite outdoor activities.
Environmental Educators
Ana
Field Trips, Nature Club, Nature School, Vacation Days
Ana is new to Madison and the Midwest and is very excited to experience the snow fall here! She grew up in Mexico City and Tucson, Arizona and most recently attended Reed College in Portland, Oregon. In all the places she has lived, she’s always made an effort to be outside and enjoy the nature around her. Her degree in Environmental Studies and a summer in Idaho re-sparked a love for monarch butterflies that she found while living in Mexico, and has since committed her time to helping with their conservation, so to say the least, moving to Madison in the summer was a great joy when she saw so many of them all around her. She loves to share her appreciation of nature with others through education and collaboration. She loves to bike around the lake and play rugby as other ways to be outside and move her body.
Field Trips, Nature Club, Nature School, Vacation Days
Ana is new to Madison and the Midwest and is very excited to experience the snow fall here! She grew up in Mexico City and Tucson, Arizona and most recently attended Reed College in Portland, Oregon. In all the places she has lived, she’s always made an effort to be outside and enjoy the nature around her. Her degree in Environmental Studies and a summer in Idaho re-sparked a love for monarch butterflies that she found while living in Mexico, and has since committed her time to helping with their conservation, so to say the least, moving to Madison in the summer was a great joy when she saw so many of them all around her. She loves to share her appreciation of nature with others through education and collaboration. She loves to bike around the lake and play rugby as other ways to be outside and move her body.
Ariam
WisCorps Service Member
Ariam is an Americorps service member serving the Aldo Leopold Nature Center as an Environmental Educator for the next year. She’s currently pursuing a B.S. in Conservation and Environmental Sciences at UW-Milwaukee, hopefully graduating in 2026! Growing up in Madison, Ariam spent her childhood roaming the Arboretum and making fairy homes in her trees. She loves nothing more than sitting around campfires, swimming in any body of water she can get her hands on, and foraging.
WisCorps Service Member
Ariam is an Americorps service member serving the Aldo Leopold Nature Center as an Environmental Educator for the next year. She’s currently pursuing a B.S. in Conservation and Environmental Sciences at UW-Milwaukee, hopefully graduating in 2026! Growing up in Madison, Ariam spent her childhood roaming the Arboretum and making fairy homes in her trees. She loves nothing more than sitting around campfires, swimming in any body of water she can get her hands on, and foraging.
Doug
Field Trips
Doug has been a part-time environmental educator at ALNC since 2013. He is a retired middle school science teacher and forester. Prior to becoming a teacher, he worked for the U.S. Forest Service for several years in Minnesota and Idaho. He recently completed the Wisconsin Master Naturalist program and enjoys spending time outdoors with family and friends hiking, bird watching, and bicycling. When not exploring the outdoors, he can often be found juggling a variety of objects as he is also a seasoned performer.
Field Trips
Doug has been a part-time environmental educator at ALNC since 2013. He is a retired middle school science teacher and forester. Prior to becoming a teacher, he worked for the U.S. Forest Service for several years in Minnesota and Idaho. He recently completed the Wisconsin Master Naturalist program and enjoys spending time outdoors with family and friends hiking, bird watching, and bicycling. When not exploring the outdoors, he can often be found juggling a variety of objects as he is also a seasoned performer.
Kaitlin
Field Trips, Vacation Days, Wonder Bugs
After spending her formative years trailing toads, turtles, and butterflies, Kaitlin earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from UW-Madison and, a few years later, a masters in education from Colorado State University. She has taught science, cultural studies, and literacy in both formal and informal educational settings, all in pursuit of helping people understand and feel community with the natural world. In working at ALNC, Kaitlin feels lucky to be able to help people of all ages build resiliency, connect, and heal through spending time in nature. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, gardening, and learning new ways to be a good citizen of planet earth.
Field Trips, Vacation Days, Wonder Bugs
After spending her formative years trailing toads, turtles, and butterflies, Kaitlin earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from UW-Madison and, a few years later, a masters in education from Colorado State University. She has taught science, cultural studies, and literacy in both formal and informal educational settings, all in pursuit of helping people understand and feel community with the natural world. In working at ALNC, Kaitlin feels lucky to be able to help people of all ages build resiliency, connect, and heal through spending time in nature. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, gardening, and learning new ways to be a good citizen of planet earth.
Katherine
Nature Club, Nature School, Vacation Days
Katherine grew up in Vermont where she developed her love for the outdoors by hiking, cross-country skiing, and climbing the trees in her family’s apple orchard. Last May, she graduated from UW-Madison with degrees in Geography and Spanish. She has worked for ALNC for two summers and is excited to be back after spending the last nine months in Colorado working in outdoor education. She is looking forward to another summer in Madison!
Nature Club, Nature School, Vacation Days
Katherine grew up in Vermont where she developed her love for the outdoors by hiking, cross-country skiing, and climbing the trees in her family’s apple orchard. Last May, she graduated from UW-Madison with degrees in Geography and Spanish. She has worked for ALNC for two summers and is excited to be back after spending the last nine months in Colorado working in outdoor education. She is looking forward to another summer in Madison!
Maggie
Field Trips, OAKS, Vacation Days
Maggie comes to ALNC from New England by way of Idaho. She spent the last year getting her master’s in environmental education and science communication at the University of Idaho’s McCall Field Campus. Prior to that, Maggie spent 4 years in Vermont completing her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies. While in the Green Mountain state, she worked as a conservation crew leader, a reporter for a small-town newspaper, a coordinator for a mountain bike summer camp, and did research on effective science education in schools. She has also spent time in Panama researching community based eco-tourism. Maggie’s passion for environmental education is rooted in helping folks tall and small nurture a caring relationship with the natural world. In her free time, Maggie enjoys Nordic skiing, alpine skiing, mountain biking, backpacking, running (but never up hills), drawing, napping, eating popcorn, and drinking raspberry tea!
Field Trips, OAKS, Vacation Days
Maggie comes to ALNC from New England by way of Idaho. She spent the last year getting her master’s in environmental education and science communication at the University of Idaho’s McCall Field Campus. Prior to that, Maggie spent 4 years in Vermont completing her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies. While in the Green Mountain state, she worked as a conservation crew leader, a reporter for a small-town newspaper, a coordinator for a mountain bike summer camp, and did research on effective science education in schools. She has also spent time in Panama researching community based eco-tourism. Maggie’s passion for environmental education is rooted in helping folks tall and small nurture a caring relationship with the natural world. In her free time, Maggie enjoys Nordic skiing, alpine skiing, mountain biking, backpacking, running (but never up hills), drawing, napping, eating popcorn, and drinking raspberry tea!
Maggy
Field Trips
Maggy comes to the Aldo Leopold Nature Center excited to merge her backgrounds in childcare and conservation. She holds degrees in both botany and conservation biology from UW-Madison. Most recently, she has worked providing childcare for young families in the Madison area. She is also enthusiastic about preserving Wisconsin’s native plants and is a volunteer with several Wisconsin conservation organizations, conducting native plant and site surveys. In her spare time, you can find her hiking with her husband (Ethan) and their three young children (Willow, Laurel & Ash), shuffling the kids between activities, or deciding to embark on some new project after the kids’ bedtime, while listening to an audiobook!
Field Trips
Maggy comes to the Aldo Leopold Nature Center excited to merge her backgrounds in childcare and conservation. She holds degrees in both botany and conservation biology from UW-Madison. Most recently, she has worked providing childcare for young families in the Madison area. She is also enthusiastic about preserving Wisconsin’s native plants and is a volunteer with several Wisconsin conservation organizations, conducting native plant and site surveys. In her spare time, you can find her hiking with her husband (Ethan) and their three young children (Willow, Laurel & Ash), shuffling the kids between activities, or deciding to embark on some new project after the kids’ bedtime, while listening to an audiobook!
Natalie
Field Trips, OAKS, Vacation Days
Natalie is a Madison native who grew up camping, hiking, and otherwise exploring the outdoors. She has graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Management from UW Superior. In her spare time, Natalie can be found biking, birding, or spending time with friends and family.
Field Trips, OAKS, Vacation Days
Natalie is a Madison native who grew up camping, hiking, and otherwise exploring the outdoors. She has graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Management from UW Superior. In her spare time, Natalie can be found biking, birding, or spending time with friends and family.
Nate
Field Trips, Nature School, OAKS, Vacation Days
Getting equal joy from the lakes of Minnesota as the waterfalls of Minas Gerais, Brazil, Nate’s bi-cultural upbringing fostered an early appreciation of diversity in humans and the greater community of life. He is passionate about social and environmental justice, as well as community living and positive youth development. They got involved in youth work while getting a bachelor’s in Biology and Environmental Sciences from UW-Madison, and now have nearly five years experience as the Teen Program Coordinator at a local neighborhood center. They also have nearly a decade of cooperative living experience in Madison, including being a co-founder of the housing co-op where they currently reside. Nate enjoys frolicking in the prairie, and spending quality time with his wife and daughter.
Field Trips, Nature School, OAKS, Vacation Days
Getting equal joy from the lakes of Minnesota as the waterfalls of Minas Gerais, Brazil, Nate’s bi-cultural upbringing fostered an early appreciation of diversity in humans and the greater community of life. He is passionate about social and environmental justice, as well as community living and positive youth development. They got involved in youth work while getting a bachelor’s in Biology and Environmental Sciences from UW-Madison, and now have nearly five years experience as the Teen Program Coordinator at a local neighborhood center. They also have nearly a decade of cooperative living experience in Madison, including being a co-founder of the housing co-op where they currently reside. Nate enjoys frolicking in the prairie, and spending quality time with his wife and daughter.
Rowan
Field Trips, Nature Club, Nature School, Vacation Days
Rowan grew up exploring Madison’s city parks as well as visiting the woods, prairies, and lakes all around Wisconsin. These early introductions to the outdoors created a love for being and learning in nature and a passion to help others have these opportunities as well. In 2020 Rowan graduated from Northland College with a bachelors degree in Outdoor Education with an emphasis on equity and inclusion. Rowan has spent time working with preschoolers to teenagers leading summer camps, after school programs, and overnight trips. In their free time Rowan loves to garden, swim, cook, and craft!
Field Trips, Nature Club, Nature School, Vacation Days
Rowan grew up exploring Madison’s city parks as well as visiting the woods, prairies, and lakes all around Wisconsin. These early introductions to the outdoors created a love for being and learning in nature and a passion to help others have these opportunities as well. In 2020 Rowan graduated from Northland College with a bachelors degree in Outdoor Education with an emphasis on equity and inclusion. Rowan has spent time working with preschoolers to teenagers leading summer camps, after school programs, and overnight trips. In their free time Rowan loves to garden, swim, cook, and craft!
Siri
Field Trips, Nature School, OAKS, Vacation Days
Siri grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and studied Environmental Studies and Norwegian at St. Olaf College. She recently moved to Madison from Minneapolis, where she ran nature-based programming as a Certified TimberNook Provider for Edina Public Schools. In her free time, Siri enjoys cross-country skiing, cooking, and spending time with her husband, Sam, and their basset hound pup, Luka.
Field Trips, Nature School, OAKS, Vacation Days
Siri grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and studied Environmental Studies and Norwegian at St. Olaf College. She recently moved to Madison from Minneapolis, where she ran nature-based programming as a Certified TimberNook Provider for Edina Public Schools. In her free time, Siri enjoys cross-country skiing, cooking, and spending time with her husband, Sam, and their basset hound pup, Luka.
Tara
Field Trips
Tara has been in the Early Childhood field for over 10 years and the field of education for over 15 years in various capacities. Tara has a Masters in Environmental Education (UW, Stevens Point), which led her to combine her passion for the outdoors and teaching. She created and implemented the Wonder Bugs Preschool Program and the Aldo Leopold Nature Preschool here at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center. Tara is currently an adjunct instructor at UW-Whitewater, teaching two of the four courses for the Wisconsin Registry Nature Based Early Childhood Education Credential, and she has returned to ALNC as a part-time environmental educator after a COVID-related “leave of absence.” When Tara is not outside enjoying various outdoor activities in all seasons with her family (two daughters, one spouse, and a fur baby), she can be found enjoying a plethora of creative and musical endeavors.
Field Trips
Tara has been in the Early Childhood field for over 10 years and the field of education for over 15 years in various capacities. Tara has a Masters in Environmental Education (UW, Stevens Point), which led her to combine her passion for the outdoors and teaching. She created and implemented the Wonder Bugs Preschool Program and the Aldo Leopold Nature Preschool here at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center. Tara is currently an adjunct instructor at UW-Whitewater, teaching two of the four courses for the Wisconsin Registry Nature Based Early Childhood Education Credential, and she has returned to ALNC as a part-time environmental educator after a COVID-related “leave of absence.” When Tara is not outside enjoying various outdoor activities in all seasons with her family (two daughters, one spouse, and a fur baby), she can be found enjoying a plethora of creative and musical endeavors.
Weekend EEs & Community Assistants
Abi
Abi grew up in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin. She spent most of her summers hiking different national and state parks. She studies Environmental Science at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. She enjoys hiking, traveling, beading, and spending time with her friends and family. Her appreciation for nature is something she often shares with others.
Abi grew up in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin. She spent most of her summers hiking different national and state parks. She studies Environmental Science at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. She enjoys hiking, traveling, beading, and spending time with her friends and family. Her appreciation for nature is something she often shares with others.
Ana
Ana is new to Madison and the Midwest and is very excited to experience the snow fall here! She grew up in Mexico City and Tucson, Arizona and most recently attended Reed College in Portland, Oregon. In all the places she has lived, she’s always made an effort to be outside and enjoy the nature around her. Her degree in Environmental Studies and a summer in Idaho re-sparked a love for monarch butterflies that she found while living in Mexico, and has since committed her time to helping with their conservation, so to say the least, moving to Madison in the summer was a great joy when she saw so many of them all around her. She loves to share her appreciation of nature with others through education and collaboration. She loves to bike around the lake and play rugby as other ways to be outside and move her body.
Ana is new to Madison and the Midwest and is very excited to experience the snow fall here! She grew up in Mexico City and Tucson, Arizona and most recently attended Reed College in Portland, Oregon. In all the places she has lived, she’s always made an effort to be outside and enjoy the nature around her. Her degree in Environmental Studies and a summer in Idaho re-sparked a love for monarch butterflies that she found while living in Mexico, and has since committed her time to helping with their conservation, so to say the least, moving to Madison in the summer was a great joy when she saw so many of them all around her. She loves to share her appreciation of nature with others through education and collaboration. She loves to bike around the lake and play rugby as other ways to be outside and move her body.
Annie L
Annie grew up in Iowa where she received her degree in Nonprofit Administration and Youth Development. After college she spent time on the West Coast helping in conservation efforts, which resparked her love for being and working outdoors. Through her passion for working with young people and eagerness to be more connected to nature, she hopes to pass on that love for the outdoors through her work. In her free time she loves to hunt for mushrooms and berries, pick handfuls of flowers, and relax on her paddleboard.
Annie grew up in Iowa where she received her degree in Nonprofit Administration and Youth Development. After college she spent time on the West Coast helping in conservation efforts, which resparked her love for being and working outdoors. Through her passion for working with young people and eagerness to be more connected to nature, she hopes to pass on that love for the outdoors through her work. In her free time she loves to hunt for mushrooms and berries, pick handfuls of flowers, and relax on her paddleboard.
Annie S
Annie grew up in Chicago before moving to the mountains of Asheville, NC for her undergraduate degree. Her love of the natural world and exploring new places eventually brought her to live in Colorado and Oregon, until finally settling down in Madison. In her free time, Annie can be found mushroom hunting with her kids, hiking, tending to her garden, or drinking tea and snuggling with her dogs.
Annie grew up in Chicago before moving to the mountains of Asheville, NC for her undergraduate degree. Her love of the natural world and exploring new places eventually brought her to live in Colorado and Oregon, until finally settling down in Madison. In her free time, Annie can be found mushroom hunting with her kids, hiking, tending to her garden, or drinking tea and snuggling with her dogs.
Caitlin
Caitlin has been with ALNC since 2018. She grew up in River Falls, Wisconsin and has always been a big fan of the natural world and sharing her environmental passions with others. After getting her degree in Zoology and Environmental Studies from UW-Madison she got her first job in environmental education and has been hooked ever since. Caitlin enjoys kayaking, skiing, hiking, exploring aquatic environments, chasing butterflies, and talking about all things water resources.
Caitlin has been with ALNC since 2018. She grew up in River Falls, Wisconsin and has always been a big fan of the natural world and sharing her environmental passions with others. After getting her degree in Zoology and Environmental Studies from UW-Madison she got her first job in environmental education and has been hooked ever since. Caitlin enjoys kayaking, skiing, hiking, exploring aquatic environments, chasing butterflies, and talking about all things water resources.
Grace
Raised in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Grace spent her childhood exploring Wisconsin’s beautiful natural landscapes through camping and fishing trips, hiking, and cross-country skiing. Her love of the environment is reflected in her studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Global Health and a certificate in Environmental Studies. Grace enjoys learning about climate change ecology, ecosystem sustainability, and science communications! In her free time, Grace can be found baking, watching the latest documentaries on Netflix, attending to her many house plants, or playing with her puppies.
Raised in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Grace spent her childhood exploring Wisconsin’s beautiful natural landscapes through camping and fishing trips, hiking, and cross-country skiing. Her love of the environment is reflected in her studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Global Health and a certificate in Environmental Studies. Grace enjoys learning about climate change ecology, ecosystem sustainability, and science communications! In her free time, Grace can be found baking, watching the latest documentaries on Netflix, attending to her many house plants, or playing with her puppies.
Rhi
Rhi is from Grand Rapids, Michigan and moved to Madison in May of 2023 for graduate school. She loves to read books and go on spontaneous hiking/nature adventures with friends in her spare time. She is currently pursuing a masters degree in environmental conservation, she hopes to engage communities in local conservation projects in her future career. Her special interests are wetland plants especially the carnivorous species!
Rhi is from Grand Rapids, Michigan and moved to Madison in May of 2023 for graduate school. She loves to read books and go on spontaneous hiking/nature adventures with friends in her spare time. She is currently pursuing a masters degree in environmental conservation, she hopes to engage communities in local conservation projects in her future career. Her special interests are wetland plants especially the carnivorous species!
