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.
Camps Manager
Lauren
camps@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Lauren comes to us from the Chicago area. Growing up, she would enjoy annual summer road trips with her family that always included some national park or state park hiking, this was the start of her love for the outdoors. Since then, she has kept her connection with nature through running and her career aspirations. She has a BA in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Ecology from Luther College. Since graduating Lauren has found herself doing work with environmental-oriented organizations but was always looking for the connection between children and nature. She has found that calling here at ALNC. In her free time you can find Lauren running, exploring Madison and enjoying a good book!
camps@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Lauren comes to us from the Chicago area. Growing up, she would enjoy annual summer road trips with her family that always included some national park or state park hiking, this was the start of her love for the outdoors. Since then, she has kept her connection with nature through running and her career aspirations. She has a BA in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Ecology from Luther College. Since graduating Lauren has found herself doing work with environmental-oriented organizations but was always looking for the connection between children and nature. She has found that calling here at ALNC. In her free time you can find Lauren running, exploring Madison and enjoying a good book!
Summer Camp Coordinator
Jordan
Jordan is from Madison and grew up exploring the northwoods of Wisconsin. She loves gardening, hiking, paddleboarding and spending time at Wisconsin’s many lakes. During the school year she is a middle school teacher. Jordan loves spending her summers at ALNC!
Jordan is from Madison and grew up exploring the northwoods of Wisconsin. She loves gardening, hiking, paddleboarding and spending time at Wisconsin’s many lakes. During the school year she is a middle school teacher. Jordan loves spending her summers at ALNC!
Summer Camp Assistant
Ella
Ella has been at the nature center for over a decade. She started out as a camper, then a volunteer, and is now in her fifth year as a summer camp assistant. When she’s not at camp she enjoys making music by playing piano, guitar, and saxophone, as well as singing. She is currently attending UW Madison and majoring in Elementary Education.
Ella has been at the nature center for over a decade. She started out as a camper, then a volunteer, and is now in her fifth year as a summer camp assistant. When she’s not at camp she enjoys making music by playing piano, guitar, and saxophone, as well as singing. She is currently attending UW Madison and majoring in Elementary Education.
Summer Environmental Educators
Alex
Alex is no stranger to exploring the wild, having lived in Colorado for 10 years before moving back home to the midwest. A world traveller, he has been spelunking in the ice caves of Iceland and crossed the Tongariro volcano alpine crossing of New Zealand. With a master’s in education, he works as a substitute teacher throughout the school year and can be found seeking out the quirkiest of roadside attractions. Catch him if you can!
Alex is no stranger to exploring the wild, having lived in Colorado for 10 years before moving back home to the midwest. A world traveller, he has been spelunking in the ice caves of Iceland and crossed the Tongariro volcano alpine crossing of New Zealand. With a master’s in education, he works as a substitute teacher throughout the school year and can be found seeking out the quirkiest of roadside attractions. Catch him if you can!
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.
Ariam
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.
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.
Brooke
Brooke grew up in the Midwest, on the other side of Lake Michigan! They spent their formative years enjoying the lake, sand dunes, and forests in Holland, MI. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Michigan in 2023, they moved out West to Colorado. There, they spent two years as an AmeriCorps environmental educator, and loved it! Brooke is returning to the Midwest and is excited to explore Madison and the surrounding area while they get their masters in social work at UW Madison.
Brooke grew up in the Midwest, on the other side of Lake Michigan! They spent their formative years enjoying the lake, sand dunes, and forests in Holland, MI. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Michigan in 2023, they moved out West to Colorado. There, they spent two years as an AmeriCorps environmental educator, and loved it! Brooke is returning to the Midwest and is excited to explore Madison and the surrounding area while they get their masters in social work at UW Madison.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn grew up in a small town called Johnson Creek. She is attending UW- Madison and is working toward a degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education.
Brooklyn grew up in a small town called Johnson Creek. She is attending UW- Madison and is working toward a degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education.
Cameron
Cameron grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and has made his way over to Madison to pursue his B.S. in Psychology with hopes to graduate in 2026 and begin pursuing either a Masters or a Ph.D/Psy.D. He’s spent his Summers since graduation from high school working at camps and loves getting to foster a fun environment for kids outdoors. Cameron is also very passionate about pond dipping. In his free time, he enjoys reading, art, and hanging out with his critters.
Cameron grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and has made his way over to Madison to pursue his B.S. in Psychology with hopes to graduate in 2026 and begin pursuing either a Masters or a Ph.D/Psy.D. He’s spent his Summers since graduation from high school working at camps and loves getting to foster a fun environment for kids outdoors. Cameron is also very passionate about pond dipping. In his free time, he enjoys reading, art, and hanging out with his critters.
Grace
Grace was born and raised in the Madison area where she first fell in love with the great outdoors. After earning a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from North Central College, she found her passion for environmental education teaching in California. She is looking forward to returning to Wisconsin after recently receiving her master’s degree in conservation biology in Aotearoa New Zealand. Grace enjoys spending her free time swimming, kayaking, and singing in a choir.
Grace was born and raised in the Madison area where she first fell in love with the great outdoors. After earning a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from North Central College, she found her passion for environmental education teaching in California. She is looking forward to returning to Wisconsin after recently receiving her master’s degree in conservation biology in Aotearoa New Zealand. Grace enjoys spending her free time swimming, kayaking, and singing in a choir.
Hannah
Hannah grew up in the Twin Cities of Minnesota where she spent the past five summers on the day camp staff at Tamarack Nature Center in White Bear Lake. She graduated in May from UW-Madison with a dual-certification degree in Elementary Education and Special Education with a minor in Environmental Studies. Hannah loves any and all outdoor activities, with hiking, paddle boarding and hammocking being some of her favorites!
Hannah grew up in the Twin Cities of Minnesota where she spent the past five summers on the day camp staff at Tamarack Nature Center in White Bear Lake. She graduated in May from UW-Madison with a dual-certification degree in Elementary Education and Special Education with a minor in Environmental Studies. Hannah loves any and all outdoor activities, with hiking, paddle boarding and hammocking being some of her favorites!
Katherine
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. She graduated from UW-Madison with degrees in Geography and Spanish. Katherine worked at ALNC in college, and after graduating, moved to Colorado to work in outdoor education. She returned to ALNC last May and is so happy to be back! She looks forward to teaching the Chickadees this spring!
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. She graduated from UW-Madison with degrees in Geography and Spanish. Katherine worked at ALNC in college, and after graduating, moved to Colorado to work in outdoor education. She returned to ALNC last May and is so happy to be back! She looks forward to teaching the Chickadees this spring!
Natalie
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.
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.
Noelle
Noelle grew up in Green Bay, WI and is now going into her junior year of college at UW studying Environmental Science and Environmental studies. In her free time she enjoys feeding seagulls and spending time outdoors with her friends. In past summers, she has been a Y-camp counselor/environment educator and has loved getting to work with kids in outdoor settings.
Noelle grew up in Green Bay, WI and is now going into her junior year of college at UW studying Environmental Science and Environmental studies. In her free time she enjoys feeding seagulls and spending time outdoors with her friends. In past summers, she has been a Y-camp counselor/environment educator and has loved getting to work with kids in outdoor settings.
Quintin
Quintin is a Madison area native who grew up camping, hiking and canoeing in Wisconsin state parks. He has spent time working as a canoe guide in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, where his love of nature and education grew. He graduated from UW-Madison with a bachelor’s degree in Educational Studies. He spends his free time canoeing, hiking, playing music and enjoying quality times with his cats.
Quintin is a Madison area native who grew up camping, hiking and canoeing in Wisconsin state parks. He has spent time working as a canoe guide in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, where his love of nature and education grew. He graduated from UW-Madison with a bachelor’s degree in Educational Studies. He spends his free time canoeing, hiking, playing music and enjoying quality times with his cats.
Rhylie
Rhylie is from Albany, Wisconsin, and is currently a student at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, where she is majoring in Agricultural Education. She is looking forward to a summer full of helping children discover the joys of nature through hands-on activities and exploration. Rhylie is passionate about creating an inclusive, welcoming space for every child, and is especially excited to help campers build meaningful relationships with both the environment and each other. In her free time, Rhylie enjoys reading, all things plants, traveling, and listening to music. Rhylie is always up for an adventure, and can’t wait to find it everywhere with campers at Aldo Leopold this summer!
Rhylie is from Albany, Wisconsin, and is currently a student at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, where she is majoring in Agricultural Education. She is looking forward to a summer full of helping children discover the joys of nature through hands-on activities and exploration. Rhylie is passionate about creating an inclusive, welcoming space for every child, and is especially excited to help campers build meaningful relationships with both the environment and each other. In her free time, Rhylie enjoys reading, all things plants, traveling, and listening to music. Rhylie is always up for an adventure, and can’t wait to find it everywhere with campers at Aldo Leopold this summer!
Riley
Growing up in the Driftless Area, Riley fell in love with spending time outdoors and learning about the local nature. She loves to walk along her local creek, hike in the bluffs, and look at all the different plants and birds. Riley recently graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work from UW-Madison and will begin the Masters of Social Work program in the fall to become a school social worker. As a girl with many interests, she is excited to combine her interests of youth wellness and the environment as an Environmental Educator. You can often find her running outdoors, visiting the library, or knitting a new sweater.
Growing up in the Driftless Area, Riley fell in love with spending time outdoors and learning about the local nature. She loves to walk along her local creek, hike in the bluffs, and look at all the different plants and birds. Riley recently graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work from UW-Madison and will begin the Masters of Social Work program in the fall to become a school social worker. As a girl with many interests, she is excited to combine her interests of youth wellness and the environment as an Environmental Educator. You can often find her running outdoors, visiting the library, or knitting a new sweater.
Rowan
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!
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!
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.
Rhi
Rhi is from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Growing up she explored many local parks and often went to the shores of Lake Michigan with her family. She bounced around Michigan for a bit, first to get her Biology degree from Oakland University then to work at a land conservancy up north. She moved to Madison in 2023 for graduate school, and now has her masters of science in Environmental Conservation. She began working at ALNC in October 2023, and has enjoyed sharing her love of nature with weekend visitors, preschool kiddos, and field trip students! In her free time she likes to read, walk, spend time with friends, start crafty projects, rarely finish them, and cuddle her unwilling cat.
Rhi is from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Growing up she explored many local parks and often went to the shores of Lake Michigan with her family. She bounced around Michigan for a bit, first to get her Biology degree from Oakland University then to work at a land conservancy up north. She moved to Madison in 2023 for graduate school, and now has her masters of science in Environmental Conservation. She began working at ALNC in October 2023, and has enjoyed sharing her love of nature with weekend visitors, preschool kiddos, and field trip students! In her free time she likes to read, walk, spend time with friends, start crafty projects, rarely finish them, and cuddle her unwilling cat.
