Blue Ridge Outdoor Education Center staff are college graduates or interns. Instructors are trained and experienced in environmental education topics such as geology, biology, and forestry as well as outdoor education activities such as team building and high ropes and adventure programs like rock climbing. Interested in joining next season's staff? Learn more here.
Rebecca,
Director
I was born and raised in southern Michigan and spent my childhood camping, canoeing, and fishing in the state’s many forests and lakes.
My love of the outdoors and teaching eventually led me to Alaska where I completed a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology at Alaska Pacific University and a Master’s in Marine Science from the University of New England in Maine where I had the pleasure of teaching hands on marine biology and biology labs that took me and my students everywhere from the rocky intertidal to the woods.
I also volunteered with the Marine Animal Rehabilitation and Conservation program and cared for seals and sea turtles.
Since finishing school, I have worked as a Steller sea lion observer living on remote islands in Alaska during the summers, as an instructor at Blue Ridge Outdoor Education Center for three years, and as a marine science educator in Louisiana. I am excited to return to BROEC as the Director!
Some of my hobbies include drinking tea, reading, and doing puzzles.
Bailey,
Environmental Educator
Bailey was born and raised in Atlanta, GA and graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology, Behavior, & Evolution in 2023. Her interest in ecology began at age 4 by saving worms off of the sidewalk specifically because her mom told her not to.
Since then Bailey has studied and worked in California, Scotland, Chile, Oregon, and Virginia and is now thrilled to be back at BROEC for another season.
Bailey’s other interests include crafting, long walks, competing with her sister to see who can read more books in a year, and being a staunch advocate for the oxford comma.
Savanna,
Environmental Educator
Hello! I grew up in a small town right where Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia all meet called Cumberland Gap, Tennessee. I have had opportunities to move and explore around Tennessee as well as in Vermont. I grew up in a hunting and fishing household, so I was outdoors frequently as a kid. It was no secret that I loved being outside. I have a passion for fishing, kayaking, and other activities surrounding the water. I also enjoy hiking, backpacking, birding, and much more!
I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from Middle Tennessee State University. While in college, I completed an internship with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. This gave me a lot of hands-on experience with wildlife, land restoration and management, population surveying, and more.
My passion for conservation and the environment has meshed with my passion for educating the public over these topics.
When I can, I volunteer to do presentations and speeches at my local high school’s ecology course. I strive to curate an atmosphere where anyone can learn about the different aspects of the environment. I am extremely excited to start this new opportunity with BROEC!
Carolina,
Environmental Educator
I was born and raised in Miami, Florida and therefore spent much of my time growing up on the beach!
I recently completed my 2-year wildlife Masters program at the University of Maine, where I studied seabirds on the gulf and am now currently on a job banding and tracking Mourning Doves across central Kansas.
I’ve always loved camping, outdoor activities and just nature in general. My other hobbies include arts & crafts (painting, tattooing, photography, etc.), reading, concerts/festivals (I’m a huge hard rock/metal fan), and yoinking all the cool critters I can get my hands on.
I can’t wait to share that passion with students at BROEC this season!
Katherine (Kit),
Environmental Educator
Hi! My name is Katherine. Or Kit, depending on how many people named Katherine are around. I grew up in a small town in the Georgia piedmont, where I spent most of my time out in the woods. I’m never happier than in southern Appalachia, as long as it’s 65 degrees at maximum.
My undergraduate degree is in Wildlife Sciences from the University of Georgia, but I soon began working in tree physiology during my time in school.
Since then, I’ve participated in projects with the U.S. Forest Service in southern Idaho and the Georgia piedmont. I would eventually like to obtain a Master’s in Ecology.
Otherwise, I love drawing, yarn related crafts, arguing about tree identification, and drinking iced coffee regardless of temperature.
Margaret,
Environmental Educator
Hello! I am from Raleigh, North Carolina. While I have always enjoyed spending time outdoors, it wasn't until I found myself in an introductory Environmental Sciences course in college that I realized just how exciting and important it is to learn about nature. That course encouraged me to pursue Environmental Sciences, and I have been exploring everything the field has to offer ever since. I have worked on projects in North Carolina, Alaska, and Utah throughout my college education and beyond and am excited to start a new journey here in my birth state of Georgia!
My previous research topics have ranged from stream chemistry to plant ecology to wetland restoration. I love working in and around water! While not running around outside, I enjoy reading, yoga, live music, and cheering on the NC State Wolfpack!
I am thrilled to continue my journey as an Environmental Educator this fall with the BROEC team!