Mercer Slough
Environmental Education Center Staff
After graduating from Florida Tech with a degree in Science Education, Geoff decided to pursue teaching science outside the the traditional classroom. Prior to coming to the Mercer Slough he taught wetland ecology on the barrier islands of North Carolina as well as spent time as a camp counselor in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Most recently he found himself drawn to the amazing natural diversity of Washington and has spent time with the Boys and Girls Club and the Upward Bound Program here in the Evergreen State. When Geoff is not teaching he enjoys exploring the mountains of western Washington and the wetlands of the Puget Sound, while also taking in as many baseball games as he can.
Ian most recently returned to Seattle after spending some time exploring the mountains, jungles and waves of Panama and Costa Rica. Prior to that, he worked as a ranger for the North Cascades National Park exploring Washington's beautiful back country and leading interpretive programs. He has also worked with a variety of students from the Teton Science School in Jackson, Wyoming and IslandWood on Bainbridge Island, Washington. After completing a Masters in Science Education at the University of Washington, Ian has returned to doing what he loves best, helping children rediscover curiosity and the natural world. Ian hopes to some day sight one of the illusive coyotes of the Mercer Slough Nature Park and to ride a canoe down the Kelsey Creek salmon ladder.
A Seattle native, Joanna loves nothing more than sharing nature with others. She graduated from The Evergreen State College in 2006 with a BS in Field Biology and Environmental Sciences. She taught environmental education and led sea kayaking trips at YMCA Camp Orkila on Orcas Island. Shortly after, she conducted amphibian and salmon surveys in Washington, Oregon, and rural Southeast Alaska. She eventually found herself a bit lonely amongst the grizzly bears and missed sharing our incredible home with others. After teaching Puget Sound stewardship to youth on the Tall Ship Adventuress, she found her current home at the Mercer Slough. You will most likely find Joanna following an ant back to her colony or squawking with the herons.
Julie moved to Seattle in 2006 from Corvallis, Oregon, where she graduated from Oregon State University with a major in Ecology and a minor in Natural Resource and Environmental Law and Policy. She discovered through her University Honors College thesis that she enjoyed teaching others about her invasive wetland plants research far more than the research itself. Julie grew up on Air Force Bases around the U.S. and Asia and feels blessed to finally be able to settle in the beautiful Northwest. When Julie is not teaching, she enjoys hiking, backpacking, reading, discussing policies, walking her beloved Black Lab, snowboarding, and ballroom dancing, particularly swing dancing.
Justine is a more recent resident of
Seattle. She moved from San Luis Obispo, California. She
graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with majors in
Forestry and Earth Science and a minor in Geology. She
loves being outside, exploring, looking at rocks, looking
under rocks, mucking in ponds, lakes, and rivers and
sharing these things with others. When stuck inside she
enjoys coffee, chess, reading about dinosaurs and
practicing martial arts.
Kristia discovered her love for environmental education while volunteering on a tall ship during college. She graduated from Fairfield University with a major in English - Journalism and minors in Marine Science and Environmental Studies. After college, she pursued her love through a series of seasonal positions along both coasts; she has lived and worked on three tall ships, two islands, and in one National Forest. Prior to coming to the Northwest to pursue a Masters Degree, she worked as the Assistant Director of Animal Embassy, a company dedicated to wildlife education. While at the Slough she looks forward to sharing her passion with young minds.
After graduating from Boston University with a degree in Environmental Science, Apryl made the cross country journey to Seattle and has never looked back. The way she sees it - where else can you drive down the street and suddenly be awestruck by the sight of Mount Rainier floating above the horizon. Apryl worked as an organic chemist before returning to her first love - teaching children. She worked at the Bellevue YMCA for numerous years as the Day Camp Director and Supervisor of the Childcare Program. She was so thrilled when she discovered one could actually work at the Mercer Slough Nature Park. She enjoys learning about wetlands and dragonfly nymphs and she's always trying to spot a beaver while canoeing at the Slough.
After graduating with a Masters in Secondary Education from Western Washington University, Brad found that nature was his preferred classroom. He spent five years on Orcas Island in the San Juans, teaching environmental education at YMCA Camp Orkila, and directing Moran State Park's Moran Outdoor School program. When not teaching environmental education, he was a sea kayak guide. Moving to Seattle, Brad worked for Discovery Park's Nature Day Camp program, before coming to the Slough. His current dream is to spot one of the elusive local coyotes. Brad loves to get out for an occasional paddle, and to explore new trails. If you have any local favorites, let him know!
Growing up, CJ was always fascinated with nature. This led her to a degree in Adventure Recreation and Outdoor Education. After graduating, she worked with Americorps VISTA teaching environmental education. Since moving to Seattle from Ohio, CJ has worked at the Pacific Science Center, taught at the Mercer Slough, University Child Development School and the Open Window School, along with managed a climbing gym. All of those teaching and managing years have led her back to the Mercer Slough, where she finds herself most at home among the banana slugs, stinging nettles, and water boatman. In her spare time, CJ enjoys climbing, playing soccer, reading, knitting, and painting.
Celina has lived in Seattle, Bellingham, Vancouver (WA) and Pennsylvania, attended Western Washington University and got her Certificate in Environmental Education at IslandWood. She loves being outside, with friends, alone and with kids, particularly in the forest. When not teaching kids about nature and science, she likes to kayak, watch movies, drink coffee and spend time with friends. Her favorite place she's visited is Nicaragua, but wishes she could speak better Spanish.
Rose loves the outdoors and has played in the wetlands, ocean beaches, and woods of the northwest since she was born. She graduated from Seattle Pacific University with a degree in Environmental Biology, and loves sharing science and the outdoors with everyone she meets. Her favorite food is Jello because it is not only amazing from a scientific perspective, but it comes in every color and flavor imaginable. As you may have already guessed, Rose specializes edibles, so don't be shy about asking what could be used for food out on the trail is a survival situation as you hike through the Slough.