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 Director
Virginia Wiggen
education@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Virginia began working at ALNC in 2007 and oversees all of the education programs. She grew up exploring the prairies of North Dakota and holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Concordia College and a graduate certificate in Environmental Education from University of Minnesota Duluth. She enjoys all outdoor activities, but canoeing, camping and gardening are at the top her list.
education@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Virginia began working at ALNC in 2007 and oversees all of the education programs. She grew up exploring the prairies of North Dakota and holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Concordia College and a graduate certificate in Environmental Education from University of Minnesota Duluth. She enjoys all outdoor activities, but canoeing, camping and gardening are at the top her list.
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!
Early Childhood Education Coordinator
Suzy Grindrod
suzy@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Suzy is a near-lifelong resident of Madison, growing up hearing the peacocks, elephants and lions (oh my!) calling from the Henry Vilas Zoo, practically in her backyard. She taught Pre-K, Kindergarten, First Grade, and was a Library Media Specialist in the Madison public schools for 30 years, before retiring in 2016. She used to bring students to ALNC (even in the way-back times when it was the L.R. Head Nature Center!) and realized that nature education was calling to her (plus she couldn’t not be with young children,) so she started her second career here in the summer of 2017. She coordinates and teaches our Baby Bugs and Wonder Bugs classes, as well as a wonderful partnership with MMSD’s Play & Learn, Wonder Bugs on the Road.
suzy@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Suzy is a near-lifelong resident of Madison, growing up hearing the peacocks, elephants and lions (oh my!) calling from the Henry Vilas Zoo, practically in her backyard. She taught Pre-K, Kindergarten, First Grade, and was a Library Media Specialist in the Madison public schools for 30 years, before retiring in 2016. She used to bring students to ALNC (even in the way-back times when it was the L.R. Head Nature Center!) and realized that nature education was calling to her (plus she couldn’t not be with young children,) so she started her second career here in the summer of 2017. She coordinates and teaches our Baby Bugs and Wonder Bugs classes, as well as a wonderful partnership with MMSD’s Play & Learn, Wonder Bugs on the Road.
Environmental Educators
Ana
Field Trips, Nature School, OAKS, 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 School, OAKS, 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.
Cassidy J.
Field Trips, Nature Club
Cassidy grew up in Wappingers Falls, New York and has lived in the Hudson Valley her entire life. She received her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies with a minor in Earths System Science from the University at Buffalo in 2023. Since then, she has been an environmental educator for NYS Parks. She moved to Madison this summer to pursue her MS in Environmental Conservation at UW-Madison. Cassidy is passionate about the outdoors and spends her time hiking mountains, identifying plants, and observing critters. She has also been doing ceramics for 9 years and is grateful that the Earth provides clay.
Field Trips, Nature Club
Cassidy grew up in Wappingers Falls, New York and has lived in the Hudson Valley her entire life. She received her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies with a minor in Earths System Science from the University at Buffalo in 2023. Since then, she has been an environmental educator for NYS Parks. She moved to Madison this summer to pursue her MS in Environmental Conservation at UW-Madison. Cassidy is passionate about the outdoors and spends her time hiking mountains, identifying plants, and observing critters. She has also been doing ceramics for 9 years and is grateful that the Earth provides clay.
Cassidy K.
Field Trips, Vacation Days
Cassidy is from Milwaukee, WI and is excited to graduate from UW-Madison in the spring of 2026! She is studying Environmental Sciences with a certificate in Sustainability. She has fond memories of field trips to a nature center during her elementary and middle school years, and is excited to now be an environmental educator! When she isn’t in class or at work, you can find Cassidy on a long walk in the Arboretum, or watching women’s soccer.
Field Trips, Vacation Days
Cassidy is from Milwaukee, WI and is excited to graduate from UW-Madison in the spring of 2026! She is studying Environmental Sciences with a certificate in Sustainability. She has fond memories of field trips to a nature center during her elementary and middle school years, and is excited to now be an environmental educator! When she isn’t in class or at work, you can find Cassidy on a long walk in the Arboretum, or watching women’s soccer.
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.
Emma
Field Trips, Vacation Days
Emma is a recent graduate of Cornell College where she studied Environmental Justice and Sustainability as well as English. She has a deep love for the environment, and spends every moment she can outdoors! Emma loves a good roadtrip has spent every summer since she can remember visiting different National Parks. In her free time you can catch her hanging out with her partner and cat, traveling, cooking or playing pickleball. She is excited to begin pursuing her dream career as an environmental educator and teaching young minds about the natural world at ALNC!
Field Trips, Vacation Days
Emma is a recent graduate of Cornell College where she studied Environmental Justice and Sustainability as well as English. She has a deep love for the environment, and spends every moment she can outdoors! Emma loves a good roadtrip has spent every summer since she can remember visiting different National Parks. In her free time you can catch her hanging out with her partner and cat, traveling, cooking or playing pickleball. She is excited to begin pursuing her dream career as an environmental educator and teaching young minds about the natural world at ALNC!
Izzy
Field Trips, OAKS, Vacation Days
Izzy recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with a degree in Wildlife Ecology and Management. She has been working at Henry Vilas Zoo as an educator for five summers and has a variety of animal experience including primates, opossums, waterfowl, rodents, and plenty more. She is new to the Aldo Leopold Nature Center and is excited to start this new chapter in her life!
Field Trips, OAKS, Vacation Days
Izzy recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with a degree in Wildlife Ecology and Management. She has been working at Henry Vilas Zoo as an educator for five summers and has a variety of animal experience including primates, opossums, waterfowl, rodents, and plenty more. She is new to the Aldo Leopold Nature Center and is excited to start this new chapter in her life!
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 School
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!
Nature School
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!
Maggy
Nature School
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!
Nature School
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!
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.
Nicky
Field Trips, Nature School
Nicky has been an environmental educator for 20 years and has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Education from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. She has experience working with children as young as infants and as old as teenagers. Working for the Forest Service allowed her to teach children all across the country from different backgrounds. She spent two years at Nature’s Classroom learning how to write curriculum, teaching team building skills and doing historical simulations. At Neighborhood House of Milwaukee, Nicky worked with every age of kids, but really fell in love with teaching the toddlers. For the past 12 years, she has loved working as a Naturalist at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center. Nicky is most looking forward to dipping in our pond throughout the year and watching the phenological changes with the children. In her free time, she enjoys knitting, running, traveling to other countries and camping and has 3 children who love coming to ALNC.
Field Trips, Nature School
Nicky has been an environmental educator for 20 years and has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Education from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. She has experience working with children as young as infants and as old as teenagers. Working for the Forest Service allowed her to teach children all across the country from different backgrounds. She spent two years at Nature’s Classroom learning how to write curriculum, teaching team building skills and doing historical simulations. At Neighborhood House of Milwaukee, Nicky worked with every age of kids, but really fell in love with teaching the toddlers. For the past 12 years, she has loved working as a Naturalist at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center. Nicky is most looking forward to dipping in our pond throughout the year and watching the phenological changes with the children. In her free time, she enjoys knitting, running, traveling to other countries and camping and has 3 children who love coming to ALNC.
Nicole
Field Trips, Vacation Days
Nicole loves to share in exploring and learning about the outdoors with others. Wisconsin is so beautiful and she’s proud to call it her home state! Her wish is that we would all be renewed by the wonders of nature in every season.
Field Trips, Vacation Days
Nicole loves to share in exploring and learning about the outdoors with others. Wisconsin is so beautiful and she’s proud to call it her home state! Her wish is that we would all be renewed by the wonders of nature in every season.
Quintin
Field Trips, Nature Club, Vacation Days
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.
Field Trips, Nature Club, Vacation Days
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.
Rowan
Nature School
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!
Nature School
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!
Tom
Field Trips, Nature School, OAKS, Vacation Days
Tom grew up in Saint Paul and attended Saint John’s University, where he got a degree in Environmental Studies and Peace Studies. Despite his Minnesota roots, he has lived in Montana, South Africa, and San Francisco. He has had a blast working with kids in a variety of settings, including community centers, foster care homes, and high schools. After most recently teaching high school in San Francisco, he is pumped to return to the changing seasons and lakes that make up the mid-best. When not exploring the outdoors, Tom loves to play ultimate frisbee, win at cribbage, and read books by a body of water.
Field Trips, Nature School, OAKS, Vacation Days
Tom grew up in Saint Paul and attended Saint John’s University, where he got a degree in Environmental Studies and Peace Studies. Despite his Minnesota roots, he has lived in Montana, South Africa, and San Francisco. He has had a blast working with kids in a variety of settings, including community centers, foster care homes, and high schools. After most recently teaching high school in San Francisco, he is pumped to return to the changing seasons and lakes that make up the mid-best. When not exploring the outdoors, Tom loves to play ultimate frisbee, win at cribbage, and read books by a body of water.
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.
