Certified environmental educators in california

California's Environmental Educator Certification Program Graduates

Please join us in congratulating AEOE's Environmental Educator Certification Program graduates! This outstanding group of EE professionals (including residential outdoor school instructors, classroom teachers, higher education professors, garden educators, city employees, zoo and park staff, and emerging leaders in community-based organizations) spent the past year demonstrating their skills, reflecting on their practice, and building up their professional networks. We are so impressed by the care, professionalism, intention, and creativity these certified educators put into developing and implementing their final action projects, some of which included the production of materials and resources which have been linked to below.

California's certified environmental educators – with their year of completion and worksite listed at the time of the program as well as the title of their community-based final action project – include:

• Alex Cortes (2026), San Diego County Office of Education, Where the River Meets the Sea: Creating a Junior Ranger Program for the Tijuana Estuary

• Allison Frye (2026), Malibu Creek State Park, California State Parks,Public School & Public Land Partnership - Invasive Shot Hole Borer Beetle Community Science Field Trip

• Allyson Dudzinski (2026), The Youth Science Institute, Sanborn Garden Restoration: Plans, Purpose, and Community Impact

• Amanda Bradshaw (2022), Cuyamaca Outdoor School, Creativity in the Wild: A Brief Activity in Environmental Art
• Ammy Rojas (2022), Friends of Ballona Wetlands, E.C.O. Quest - The Search for Diversity in the Environmental Field
• Amy Mohsin (2024), Rising Oak Nature Education, Encouraging and Supporting Outdoor Learning Through Teacher Coaching
  
• Ana-María Perez (2026), Rooted in Community: Belle Air Garden (link to companion planting slides/activity presentation)
• Anna Barr (2024), The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County, Revisiting Animals and Oaks Through Time
  
• Anna Jackson (2023), Ventura County Farm to School, Tierra Vista Elementary's Chumash Garden and Curriculum
• Angela Vincent (2022), City of Alameda, Conservation & Composting for Climate Change
• Anthea Staffen (2024), Santa Cruz County Parks, California Pipevine: For Swallowtails and the Climate, and Google slides presentation
  
• Aurora Cortes (2025), Latino Outdoors, Semillitas Outdoors
  
• Barbara Bick (2024), Neptune Nature School, Implementing Kindergarten & Transitional Kindergarten in an Outdoor Preschool
  
• Barbara Gallios (2022), San Francisco Unified School District /  McLaren Early Education School, Nature Spaces for Young Children - Wildlife of Point Reyes National Seashore
• Baylee Goodwin (2021), UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, North Tahoe Demonstration Garden Tour and Education Programs
• Blair Rasmus (2025), California School for the Deaf, Creating Visibility for Environmental Literacy
  
• Bolling Keogh (2024), YMCA Camp Surf, Community Beach Clean-Ups
  
• Burton Miller (2021), Emerald Bay Outdoor Academy, Designing and Developing an Advisory Team for Outdoor Education
• Caitlin Martin (2026), South Yuba River Citizens League, Increasing Opportunities for TK-2nd Programming in Nevada County
  
• Camila Leon (2024), Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Engaging Spanish-speaking Santa Barbara with a Museum Scavenger Hunt
  
• Carli Baker (2021), California State Parks, Field Notes at Lake Merritt
• Carolyn Everhart (2022), Friends of Ballona Wetlands, E.C.O. Quest - The Search for Diversity in the Environmental Field
• Cecilia Mangrum (2025), Newport Whales, Catalina Island Land & Sea Field Trip
  
• Christina Benson (2025), National School District/Central School, Earth Day at Paradise Creek
  
• Ciel Fox Muir (2023), Westminster Woods, Interconnectedness Through Community: Queer Nature Journal Club
  
• Claudia Verduzco (2025), Whittier Narrows Nature Center (WNNC), Engaging Young Learners at Whittier Narrows Nature Center (WNNC)
  
• Corey Chan (2023), Kids for the Bay, Student-Led Action Project: Deep Dive into Microplastics
  
• Corey Kaye (2021), Westminster Woods, Video: Declutter and Decompose: A Student’s Guide to Waste and Compost
• Crystal Schalmo (2025), Green Dragon Conservation Education / Cuyamaca Community College, Greening Schoolyards: Exploring Urban Heat Islands and Grant Opportunities
  
• Danielle Ashton (2021), Napa County Resource Conversation District, Watershed Wonders - At Home Watershed Discovery

• Danylo Lesko (2026), National Marine Mammal Foundation, Protecting California Sea Lions: Pupping Season Educational Program

• David M. Brown (2026), Mongabay Kids (kids.mongabay.com), How real is plant-awareness disparity in California environmental education?
  

• Derek McGovern (2023), San Mateo Outdoor Education, Curriculum for Supporting New Environmental Educators

• Devin Jackson (2021), Foothill Middle School, Virtual Earth Day “Green” Week 6Rs Change of Habit Challenge
• Devon Azzam (2021), Gevirtz School UCSB, SBUSD Project HOPE+S: Harding Outdoor Program of Education + STEAM

• Diana Rohini LaVigne (2022), County of San Mateo Health Department, Spreading Environmental Education Benefits to The Masses

• Diana Ruiz (2022), Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District, Nick's Garden at the Northside Urban Greening Project / Video: Introduction to Northside Heritage Meadows

• Elena Frink (2023), Neptune Nature Preschool, Power of Outdoor Play

• Elisha Burns (2023), Santa Clara County Elementary, Blending - Environmental Engagement In The General Classroom
• Elizabeth Thanh Tam Nguyen (2026), National Marine Mammal Foundation, Voices in the Sea
• Emily Baxter (2023), Friends of the Dunes, Summer Sand Adventures: Revitalizing Summer Youth Programs for Friends of the Dunes
  
• Emma Stephens (2026), Neptune Nature School, A Non-Exhaustive Guide to Outdoor Preschool
  

• Emily Noel (2023), Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education, Steelhead for Watershed!
• Eri Sawairi Ocampo (2026), Point Blue Conservation Science, STRAW Program, La Ruta Migratoria del Pacífico: Una Guía Didáctica Bilingüe
  
• Erica Schatz (2024), Los Angeles Unified School District/Taper Avenue Elementary, Vermicomposting in the Classroom
  
• Erin Snyder (2023), Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District, Habitat to Go: Riparian and Coastal Sage Scrub lessons
• Farrah Masoumi (2025), Tahoe National Forest (USFS), Tahoe's Most Wanted: Invasive Species Education on Tahoe National Forest
  
• Gabriela Almanza Porter (2024), SCICON (Clemmie Gill School of Science and Conservation), Empowering Students for Careers in Environmental Education
  
• Gretchen Doering (2021), Golestan School Garden & Cooking Teacher, Building Climate Resilient Communities: A Transdisciplinary Toolkit
• Hannah Stitt (2024), Foothill Horizons Outdoor School, Community Asset Mapping: A Tool for Outdoor Education
  
• Heather Bailey (2023), Patagonia: Great Pacific Child Development Center, Nurturing with Nature Conference
• Ian (Ibis) Gledhill (2023), Big Lagoon Elementary School, Outsider Outside; Creating an EE Program in Yurok Country
• Ildikó Stennis (2026), Peterson Middle School, Monarchs, Mental Wellness, & Majestic Beaches - Educator Professional Development Retreat
• Jaclyn DeSantis (2023), Ojai Raptor Center, Traveling Talons: A Rentable Teacher’s Kit with Bio Facts
• Jade Fugini-Laws (2025), The Marine Mammal Center, Evaluating Equity in the Ocean Ambassadors Program
  
• Jamie Davis (2022), Crestview Preparatory School, Eco-literacy Week in Elementary School
• Jared Baker (2025), Creekside Charter School, School Presentation by TTSD
  
• Jason Wise (2024), Independent Environmental Educator, Seeing Through the Lens of Queer Ecology: a Community Hike Lesson Plan
• Jazmin Quezada (2025), TreePeople, Rooted in Science: A Place-Based STEM Program Advancing Identity and Equity through Biodiversity Monitoring for High Schools Students at Cold Creek Valley Preserve
  

• Jeffrey Butterworth (2026), Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Joy and Healing at the Audrey Edna Cabin

• Jeni Bonilla (2026), Lincoln Unified School District, Wind Water Waves

• Jenna Cobb (2023), Community Nature Connection, Trilingual Water 101 Field Trip for Grown-Ups

• Jennifer Alford (2021), CA State University San Bernardino, Plant and Agricultural Teaching and Collaboration Hub (P.A.T.C.H)
• Jennifer Iyer (2023), Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District, Habitat to Go: Riparian and Coastal Sage Scrub lessons
  
• Jen Kappelhof (2022), Ross Valley School District, A Resource Guide for Early Childhood Environmental Educators
• Jennifer Richard-Gantka (2022), Los Angeles Unified School District / John F. Kennedy High School Global Leadership & Environmental Action Magnet, GLEAM Green Space - Creating an Edible School Garden
• Jennifer Walker (2025), The Marine Mammal Center, An Approach to Including Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Program Development
• Jess Dominick (2025), San Mateo County Sustainability Department, Expanding Translated Climate Science Field Trip Offerings
  
• Jesse Perez-Razo (2025), Crystal Cove Conservancy, Project SAND: The Ever-Shifting Landscape of Learning
  
• Jessica Rodriguez (2025), Newport Whales, Catalina Island Land & Sea Field Trip
  
• Jessica Anderson (2024), El Modena High School, Ecological Research: Scientific Poster Presentation Community Event
  
• Jill Lemon (2025), Newport Whales, Catalina Island Land & Sea Field Trip
  
• Jodi Stewart (2022), Marine Science Institute, Let's Keep Our Neighborhoods Clean
  
• Joelle Vallejo (2025), The Marine Mammal Center, Training Adult Volunteers to Further Support Youth Conservation Journeys
• Joshua Schaub (2021), Adventure Risk Challenge, Showing up for Social Justice as Environmental Educators

• Josie Blue (2023), San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Native Habitat Restoration at San Pasqual High School

• Joy Hilton (2023), American Canyon Community & Parks Foundation, Watershed Exploration For Everyone! A Community Environmental Education Popup Series

• Julia Kaseta (2024), Rooted Resilience: Nature-Based Strategies for Student Support
  
• Julie Owen Hanft (2025), Marin GreenPlay Camp, Nature in Your Online Calendar: The Natural Phenomena of Marin County Presented in Five Day Micro-Seasons
  
• Kaitlin Ritsema (2026), The Bishop's School, Student-Led DEIJ Lesson on Environmental Justice Karen Pierce (2021), Achieve Tahoe, Cards for Humanity

• Karlee Jewell (2022), Northcoast Regional Land Trust, Utilizing Program Evaluation & Community Input to Improve our EE Programming

• Katharine Grace J. Flores (2026), Leach Botanical Garden, Empowering Outdoor Education in the East 5: Community Habitat Enhancement Project 

• Katherine C. Todirita (2022), Grizzly Hill School, Starting Vermiculture and Agriculture at a School in the Sierras

• Katie Mills (2025), TreePeople, Acknowledging Tovaangar: How Environmental Educators Cultivate Respect and Reciprocity
  

• Katie Pelon (2023), Environerd, Coastal Nature Journaling for Young Learners in California: "Coastal California Nature Journal" Book

• Kelly Gresalfi (2022), PS1 Pluralistic School, Building Climate Resilient Communities: A Transdisciplinary Toolkit 
• Kelly Sipan (2025), SoCal Nature Kids, Choosing Adventure - An Online Course for Southern California Parents
  
• Khrystal Alas (2022), Guadalupe River Park Conservancy, Creating an Inclusive, Diverse, Equitable, and Accessible Learning Environment at the GRPC
  
• Kirsten Franklin (2023), Petaluma City Schools, Creating a School Site Culture of Environmental Literacy
• Kris Espiritu (2021), The Nature Inquisitive, Connecting with Nature & the Self
• Kyra Kawamoto (2025), The Marine Mammal Center, Exploring Long-Term Impact of High School Service Learning Program
• Laura Lutz (2022), Burris Park Outdoor Education, Outdoor Education Supporting Classroom Instruction
  
• Laurel Perun (2026), The Escondido Creek Conservancy, Phenology in Focus at Mountain Meadow Preserve
• Lauren Bergh (2021), Santa Ana Zoo, Project WILD, Rediscovering Project WILD: Adaptable Activities for Formal and Informal Audiences
• Lauren McCawley (2021), Guadalupe River Park Conservancy, Reciprocal Partnerships: Help Teachers to Help You
• Lauren Smith (2025), Saint Francis High School, Air Pollution and Environmental Justice Project for AP Environmental Science
  
• Leesa Klotz (2025), Cal-Waste Recovery Systems, Inclusive Environmental Learning Experiences for Students with Special Needs
  
• Lexie Felix (2023), San Jose Conservation Corps, Corpsmember Development Day: Building Community and Belonging in the Outdoors
  
• Lisset Orozco (2026), Exploring The Woods In  Spanish, Creator of Spanish Nature Club
• Lizz "Lizard" Atwood (2021), Camp KEEP, Outside In: Virtual Science for Pandemic Learning
• Marcia Castro (2026), TreePeople, Where the River Flows, Our Inland Empire Community Grows
• Marcus Padilla (2024), Mariposa Trails, Volunteer Recruitment and Engagement with Mariposa Trails
  
• Maria Adame (2025), TreePeople, Future Forward: Careers for a Sustainable Future
  
• Maribel Garcia (2022), Climate Corps AmeriCorps, The Decolonized Kitchen: Reflections on Centering Indigeneity in EE
  
• Martha Cerda (2021), Alviso Adobe Community Park, City of Pleasanton, Houses Inspired by Nature
• Mary Ann Ng (2024), Alhambra High School, Unraveling Human-Water Connections in Los Angeles: Lessons from Owens Valley, Paiute-Shoshone Tribe, and Climate Change
  
• Maryjo "MJ" Sampang (2021), NOLS, Honoring Native Land and History: A Guide for Educators and Students To Teach Decolonized Curriculum
• Mason Fernandez (2021), Westminster Woods, Video: Declutter and Decompose: A Student’s Guide to Waste and Compost
• McKenzie Dale (2022), Bishop Paiute Tribe’s Environmental Management Office, Branching Out: Connecting Science, Culture, and Stewardship
  

• Meghan Eagen (2026), California State University, Los Angeles - Housing & Residence Life, Pump Up Our Pollinators: College Student Engagement with Land Stewardship 

• Meaghan Sands (2022), Crestview Preparatory School, Eco-literacy Week in Elementary School

• Meg Michel (2023), Kern Environmental Education Program, Cultivating Self, Empowerment, & Community for Environmental and Climate Justice
  

• Megan Lilla (2026), Land Trust of Napa County, Vernal Poem: Activity Focused on Vernal Pool Observations

• Melissa "Mel" Sarmento (2021), Guadalupe River Park Conservancy, Virtual Programming for Groups w/ Special Needs

• Michael Brodsky (2021), Loyola Marymount University, Curating an Art & Ecology Teaching Resource
• Michael "Rhody" Shanahan (2021), Shady Creek Outdoor School, Watershed Program
• Michelle Cyr (2021), Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Camp Pilot Program: Rebuilding Summer Camp at the Garden

• Michelle Ramos (2025), California Herbology Apothecary, Get Lit Outdoors! An Inclusive Outdoor Bookclub to Save the Pollinators
  

• Miranda Mosley (2025), Oakland Zoo, “Who Maintains Our Parks?:” Building Lessons with Community in Mind
  

• Miriam Urrutia-Zendejas (2025), San Mateo Outdoor Education, Resources for the Nature Lab

• Monica Appiano (2023), University of Miami (student), Earth Day Native Miami Coastal Plants Education and Beach Cleanup

• Monica Curiel (2023), Chino Basin Water Conservation District, Trilingual Water 101 Field Trip for Grown-Ups

• Nikki Evans (2023), Sedgwick Reserve, Trauma-informed Environmental Education: Helping Students Feel Safe and Connected in Nature
  
• Nina Schield (2022), San Francisco Unified School District  / Rooftop Pk-8, Empowering a Student Government to Take Environmental Action
  

• Nina Thornton (2026), Cal-Waste Recovery Systems, ECO Genius: Environmental Education for Secondary Schools, Nina Thornton | LinkedIn 

• Nina Vuoso (2021), Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Designing Distance Learning Materials: A Community-based Partner Collaboration

• Paris Lilly Rickards (2024), Shady Creek Outdoor School, Reconnecting Native American Culture into your School
  

• Pavli Serenetsky (2026), pavliserenetsky.com, The Beauty of Oak Trees: an Education

• Rachael L. Olliff Yang (2026), In Place , Nature Arts – Expansion of In Place Programming

• Rachel Metz (2024), California Nature Art Museum, California Poppy Day & Native Plant Sale

• Raquel Rojas (2026), Marine Mammal Center Roadmap to Incorporating Indigenous Knowledge into a Program
  

• Rebekkah Scharf (2024) Alice Fong Yu Alternative School, School Garden Support in the SF Bay Area
  
• Reesha Katcher (2021), Independent Naturalist, "Nature is Everywhere," a zero waste coloring and activity "cookbook" 
• Renee Nealon (2022), Petaluma City Schools / McDowell Elementary, McDowell Elementary Native Habitat Garden 2.0
  
• Regina Foldes (2024), Children's Day School, Outdoor Education Curriculum for Elementary School
  
• Rocio Mancia (2024), Neptune Nature Preschool, The Power of Outdoor Play
  
• Rocio Sanchez-Nolasco (2023), Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, Fire Ecology & Climate Resilience for Community Engagement
  
• Rosanna Ruiz (2022), CSU Fresno Recreation Administration Department, Diversifying UC California Naturalist Participation by Intentional Program Design
• Roxanne Robbins (2025), RCRCD, California Native Chaparral Habitat Exploration Kit
  
• Saige Teamey (2026), Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, Youth-Led Nature Conservation Photography & Teen Science Gallery Night
  

• Sajeemas (Mint) Pasakdee (2023), Osborne Nature Center-Peterson Middle School, Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD), Bryan Osborne Nature Trails: Self-Guided Walking Map
  

• Sandra Field (2023), Green Dragon Conservation Education and Feed and Be Fed San Pedro Little Sprouts and ‘Dino’ Garden, “How Many Ways Can You Use 5 Gallons of Water?”

• Sandra Knoy (2023), University Elementary, Laguna de Santa Rosa Activity Kits
• Sarah Angulo (2022), California Naturalist / Water Education Foundation, UCSC Alumni Week: Natural History Careers Panel
• Sarah Levitt (2023), The Buckley School, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Lower School Paper and Plastic School Lunch Program
  
• Sarichia (Seekey) Cacciatore (2022), Earth Discovery Institute and the San Diego Natural History Museum, Escondido Creek Summer Camp Reunion/Family Day: Connecting Camp to Home
  

• Selisa Loeza (2026), Woodcraft Rangers, Soil Stories: A Multi-Generational Community Care Experience
  

• Shelly Hunt Smith (2022), Tinkergarten, Outdoor Play Presentation Resources

• Shoshana Ambartsumyan (2025), TreePeople, Don't Throw It Away, "Green Bin It," We Say!

• Stephanie Gonzalez (2024), LAUSD, Point Fermin Outdoor Education Center, Roots of Learning: The Nurturing of Plants and Young Minds

• Stephen Suttle (2022), Prospect Sierra School, Gardening for Birds: Intersections of NGSS, SEL, and Stewardship

• Susan Berrend (2025), Pacific Bay High School, Climate Change Short-course Curriculum (6-12)
  
• Tallianna Richey-Miller (2025), Whiskeytown Environmental School/Shasta County Office of Education, Empowering Students with Citizen Science: iNaturalist as an Educational Tool
  
• Tania Cooley (2025), Canopy, Saplings for Change: Adapting Tree Lessons for Climate Action, Community Forestry, and the Power of Trees
  
• Tarah High (2021), SCICON Outdoor School, Wellness in the Wild

• Terilyn Wong (2026), The HEAL Project & Each Green Corner,Rooted in Community: Belle Air Garden (link to companion planting slides/activity presentation)

• Tori Klinge (2024), Cuyamaca Outdoor School / San Diego County Office of Education, Creating Inclusive Outdoor Education Experiences for Neurodivergent Students
  
• Venessa Becerra (2022), Friends of the Desert Mountains, Intentional Partnerships and Collaboration for a Queer Youth Outdoor and EE Program
• Victoria Dunch (2023), San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Native Habitat Restoration at San Pasqual High School
  

• Viviane Merces Fuller (2026), Pepperwood Preserve, Expanding Environmental Education through Classroom and On-Site Visits

• Xochitl Bentley (2024), Cleveland Charter High School (Los Angeles Unified School District), Entry Points for Fostering Climate Stewardship through Poetry

• Zoë Temple (2025), TreePeople, Growing the Green Economy: Integrating Career Exploration into Environmental Education Programs