Meet Our Team

Markian is focused on leadership development, effective team building, staff training, and risk management. He loves spending time outdoors with his wife and two daughters

As the President of Walking Mountains, Markian is responsible for the overall operations of the school. He joined Walking Mountains after fifteen years with Outward Bound West where he served as a field instructor, course director and Colorado program director. Throughout his career in outdoor education, Markian has focused on leadership development, effective team building, staff training, and risk management. He received his B.A. in English from the University of Colorado and resides in Eagle with his wife and two daughters.

Sharon joined Walking Mountains in February 2023 as Senior Director of Development. In this role she works closely with Walking Mountains’ donors to advance the mission of the organization, reporting to the President and playing a management role within the Development Team. Sharon moved to the Eagle River Valley from New England in 2010 with her husband and son for her son to pursue his passion for ski racing, and fulfilling the entire family’s dream to live in the mountains of Colorado. Just prior to arriving at Walking Mountains, Sharon was the Director of Advancement for Ski & Snowboard Club Vail (SSCV), where she had worked since 2013. Before that she was the Director of Development at Vail Mountain School.
Before becoming a non-profit professional, Sharon held volunteer fundraising leadership roles at Boys & Girls Club of Boston and at an educational foundation in suburban Boston while working as an attorney in the greater Boston area.
Sharon grew up in Western New York and has a BA in Psychology and Philosophy from the University of Rochester and a Juris Doctor from Cornell Law School.
Sharon loves spending time outdoors and personally connects with Walking Mountains’ mission. She lives in Vail with her husband.

Lara is the Senior Programs Director  at Walking Mountains and supports organization operations and the Youth Program, Graduate Program, and Community Program teams. She has worked at Walking Mountains since 2003 in various programmatic roles. Lara loves teaching programs for both kids and adults, as well as teaching and mentoring others in developing their teaching and interpretive skills. Lara earned her B.S. in Outdoor Education from Northland College,  M.A. in Environmental Studies from Prescott College, M.P.A. focused in Nonprofit Administration from University of Montana, and holds a Colorado Elementary Education teaching license. Lara is a Certified Master Environmental Educator through CAEE and a Certified Interpretive Guide and Certified Interpretive Trainer through NAI. During her free time, Lara enjoys knitting, playing outside, hiking with her husband and dog, and skiing

Gina joined Walking Mountains in 2007 as Youth Programs Director. She now is a part of the Development Team, seeking out and writing education grants to support both Youth and Community Programs. Gina earned her B.S. in agricultural science from Truman State University with an emphasis in environmental science. Gina worked for Yellowstone National Park for four seasons and then as an instructor at the Orange County Outdoor Science School in California. Gina also holds dual teaching licensure in elementary education and special education from the University of Colorado at Denver, as well as a M.A. in science education. Gina’s passions include hiking, biking, skiing and teaching kids about the natural world.

Melissa is the Senior Director of Sustainability Programs and oversees the sustainability education, waste reduction, sustainable business, sustainable destination and tourism, climate action, and energy efficiency programs here at Walking Mountains. She joined Walking Mountains in 2013 during the folding in of Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability and has since held various programmatic roles. Melissa loves to share her passion for all things sustainable with everyone and loves to help create positive change. She has lived in Colorado’s Central Rocky Mountains for over 20 years and holds degrees in Forest Resource Management from Penn State University, Mont Alto campus and the University of Montana in Missoula. Melissa began her career as a botanist specializing in Forest Health Monitoring and Ozone projects for the US Forest Service. She then took position in the non-profit sector at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and has remained in this sector ever since. Melissa enjoys traveling, music, backpacking, and snowboarding with her husband, 2 daughters and 2 dogs.

Sara Croy joined Walking Mountains in October 2025 as the Senior Director of Finance. She leads the organization’s financial strategy and operations, including budgeting, audits, investments, and compliance, while working closely with the President, Board, and Development team to ensure fiscal sustainability. Sara earned her B.S. in Accounting from Marquette University, is a licensed CPA, and is passionate about supporting mission-driven organizations. Originally from Minnesota, she now lives in Eagle with her family and enjoys reading, traveling, and outdoor activities including hiking, rafting, and kayaking.

A Colorado native, Paul grew up in Arvada Colorado and joined Walking Mountains in March 2018 as Marketing & Communications Director. Prior to joining Walking Mountains, he served for many local organizations including the Vail Valley Foundation, Vail Valley Partnership and Vail Daily. Paul studied journalism and business at the University of Colorado Boulder and lives in Eagle with his wife, two daughters, dogs, birds, and guinea pigs. When not eagerly learning about all things nature and sustainability with Walking Mountains Paul enjoys playing outside in the Eagle Valley or beyond on just about anything that floats or has wheels and splitboarding.

Hannah is a self-proclaimed nature nerd hailing from Michigan, where she developed her love of water and all things outdoors.  She has a degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Michigan, and a M.S. in Nonprofit Management from Regis University.  Hannah got her start in environmental education with Walking Mountains as a Naturalist intern while she was an undergraduate, where she fell in love with the Rocky Mountains.  For several years, she served as the Vail Nature Center Coordinator, continuing to work closely with Walking Mountains, and is thrilled to officially be part of its team again!

In her free time, Hannah tries to get outside as much as she can, hiking, kayaking, and searching for new species to check off her many life lists.  She is also an avid reader and knitter, and would appreciate if anyone could teach her how to ski and knit at the same time.  She attempts to keep up with her best dog friend, Denali, and her noisy but lovable cockatiel, Gilligan.

Rose Delles is currently the Finance Director at Walking Mountains but has worked in a wide variety of roles here since 2010. She works closely with the Senior Director of Business Operations and Development Team doing the day-to-day bookkeeping. She has worked for a variety of nonprofits and outdoor education centers throughout Washington and Montana, but is happy to be settled in her home state of Colorado. Outside of the office you can find her fly fishing, hiking in the high alpine, snuggling with her dog, and doing crosswords at her favorite brewery.

Nikki leads several impactful programs at Walking Mountains, including Energy Smart Colorado, ReEnergize Eagle County, and Radon Awareness, and has been an integral part of the Energy Programs team for 10 years. She provides energy coaching to homeowners and businesses while guiding a team of four that helps locals improve energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprints of existing buildings. Originally from North Platte, Nebraska, Nikki moved to Eagle County, CO in 1997. She has gained experience over the last 30+ years working in sustainability, home energy use, real estate & development, marketing, and customer service. Prior to her work in energy efficiency, Nikki helped Vail residents and businesses transition to mandatory recycling.

Nikki holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability Studies from Colorado Mountain College and an Associate of Arts in General Studies from Mid-Plains Community College. She earned her Building Analyst Professional certification from the Building Performance Institute in 2017 and regularly pursues continuing education in energy efficiency, leadership, and sustainability. Passionate about sustainability, Nikki enjoys sharing innovative solutions and exploring new places. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, live music, snowboarding, and immersing herself in nature.

Chris first came to Gore Range Natural Science School as an educator fellow in 2008 and is excited to rejoin the Walking Mountains team as Youth Programs Director in 2018.  She received her B.S. in Biology from Penn State University and her M.S. in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources from Colorado State University.  She brings to the team a wide variety of experiences teaching and managing at nature centers and science schools across the country. Most recently, Chris served as the Rock Bottom Ranch Programs Manager at the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies. She loves to teach about the natural world and hopes to inspire students of all ages to become stewards of their own backyards. Chris oversees Youth Programs including Field Science Programs, Summer Camps, Girls in Science, STEM Curiosity Lab and Sowing Seeds. In her free time, Chris is excited to explore the Eagle Valley on foot and on skis with her camera in hand!

Kathleen has been with the Walking Mountains organization since May of 2018. Prior to joining Walking Mountains, Kathleen served as Human Resources Manager/Director to Group 970 Restaurants from 2007-2016 and as Human Resources Consultant to several local businesses from 2016-2018. She has called the Vail Valley home since 2006, but grew up in St. Louis, MO and is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago. Kathleen enjoys being on the mountain, her bike or yoga mat, taking long walks with her dog and spending quality time with her family and friends.

Scott was born and raised in northeast Ohio where he developed his passion for the natural world exploring the woods and waters of the Great Lakes. Scott fell in love with the Rocky Mountains while living in Montana and after graduating with a B.S. in Environmental Science, knew that his career would focus on inspiring others to see the natural world as something worth protecting and enjoying. A Certified Interpretive Guide, Scott has worked as a front-line educator for the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and as a Naturalist intern here at Walking Mountains.

As Senior Manager of Community Programs, Scott focuses on managing the Nature Discovery Center and Vail Nature Center and the programs that take place out of these locations. He also works to coordinate adult programming and helps to mentor and supervise the Naturalists team.

When not at work, you will likely find Scott outside riding his bicycle, hiking, camping or just enjoying some fresh air and maybe an ice cream cone or two.

Pronouns he, him, his

Since graduating from Slippery Rock University with a Masters of Science Degree in Park and Resource Management and his Masters of Education in Environmental Education in 2014, he has spent four years teaching environmental education at the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies. During this time, Dustin has devoted much of his time to learning more about the ecology of the Rocky Mountains, while educating youth about environmental responsibility and the overall balance of natural communities. Originally from a small town in Ohio, Dustin graduated from Ohio University with a B.S. in Outdoor Recreation and Education, a B.S. in Wildlife and Conservation Biology, and a Certificate in Environmental Studies. Professionally, Dustin has also served as a Sustainability Education Graduate Assistant, a ski instructor, and an Interpretation Park Ranger for the Youth Program Division at Zion National Park. In his free time, Dustin enjoys participating in a variety of outdoor activities including camping, hiking, playing disc golf, and skiing.  While at Walking Mountains, Dustin is excited to continue teaching, especially hands-on renewable energy and snow science lessons. Dustin also hopes to bring his love of Gnomes to his summer camp programs.

Riley was raised in Wisconsin, where the abundance of lakes and natural places fostered his love for the outdoors. He continued to follow his interest in the natural world by receiving his B.S. in Natural Resource Management from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. In May of 2020, Riley began at Walking Mountains Science Center as a Foley Graduate Fellow, where he would later receive his M.A. in Science Education from the University of Northern Colorado. Additionally, Riley is a Certified Interpretive Guide and Master Environmental Educator. When Riley isn’t out sharing his love for the natural world with others, he can be found recreating in the outdoors by snowboarding, rock climbing, or mountain biking.

Tessa joined the Walking Mountains team in 2017. As the Database Manager & Finance Liaison, she works closely with the Development team and provides support for special events. Tessa graduated from Colorado State University with a B.S. in Health and Exercise Science and a minor in Spanish. Tessa likes to ski, hike, paddleboard, travel, and play piano and ukulele.

Acadia grew up in Northeast Ohio, where she regularly adventured in the MetroParks and along Lake Erie. Her interest in the environment and passion for its stewardship began at a young age during family camping trips to national parks across the country. Acadia joined Walking Mountains in April 2025 as the Development Manager. In this role, she focuses on special events, including our A Taste of Nature Gala and Auction and our Edventures, as well as outreach to new corporate and individual donors. Before moving to Colorado, Acadia was the Assistant Director of Annual Giving at Ohio Wesleyan, where she raised annual funds for the university and worked closely with reunion and class volunteers.

As a lifelong Ohioan, Acadia is excited to make Colorado her new home with her partner, Gram and their cat, Candy. She was captivated by Colorado’s beauty on her first trip to the Rocky Mountains, where she camped under Longs Peak. Since then, she’s been planning her grand exit from Ohio.

Acadia is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, where she studied English-Literature and Psychology. In her free time, Acadia enjoys teaching and taking yoga classes, skiing, swimming, traveling, reading a good book, going to live music events, and spending time experimenting in the kitchen to make the best gluten free treats.

As Communications Manager at Walking Mountains, I bring a lifelong passion for protecting people and the planet, rooted in a Communications degree and early experiences as a college outdoor guide. I taught bouldering, rock climbing, spelunking, canoeing, and led hiking trips to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, canoe adventures up the Black Canyon, and backcountry ski trips to Tuolomne Meadows. My career pivoted while designing 13 National Park websites—an “aha” moment that led me to launch a sustainable retail store with the mission to reduce single-use plastic containers. With a family legacy at the EPA, Greenpeace, and public defense, I now champion sustainability with Walking Mountains by connecting communities to sustainability and science. I can be found outside every day, hiking, or on the river. I am a proud parent to two wonderful girls, who keep life full of laughter, learning, and adventure.

Krista grew up hiking and camping in the beautiful Eagle Valley which instilled a love of the outdoors and the Rocky Mountains from an early age. She went to college at Montana State University- Billings earning degrees in elementary and special education. After graduating, Krista spent time working on and sailing with various environmental tall ships. She taught environmental education and sailed the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, the Puget Sound, and the Hudson River.

She has left her sea legs to come home to the Rocky Mountains and is excited to be back working with Walking Mountains!  In her free time, you can find her hiking, camping, swimming, skiing, and enjoying a nice cup of coffee!

Pronouns: she/her

Lydia grew up exploring the backroads and trails of rural southeastern Idaho, where she developed a strong sense of connection with the landscape. After graduating with a degree in Biology from Middlebury College, she followed her heart out west to work on sage-grouse research in Nevada. There she discovered a love of community outreach and engagement. Having earned her Master’s degree in Science Education as a Foley Graduate Fellow at Walking Mountains, she continues to empower youth in Eagle County through Girls in Science and STEM Curiosity Lab.

Lydia enjoys hiking with her dog, playing music, and tending to her numerous houseplants. But most of all, she loves using education in natural settings to inspire stewardship among young people from all walks of life.

Annie comes to Walking Mountains with a diverse background in field science, programmatic leadership, and community engagement. Her mission is to connect students and communities with the more-than-human world to envision a more just environmental future. Annie holds a BS in Biology, is an alumnus of the Teton Science Schools graduate program, and received her MS in Environmental Studies from Antioch University New England. Annie enjoys nerding out about environmental philosophy and social-ecological systems. She uses an interdisciplinary approach rooted in cultural responsiveness, land-based pedagogy, and emergent strategy to teach and learn alongside the Walking Mountains Graduate Fellows. In her free time, you can catch Annie on the trails with her fox-like dog, Agnes, in tow!

Erin is a native of Madison WI where her love for good food and the outdoors was fostered. She holds a BA in Environmental Studies and Spanish from Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota. She has most recently lived in another Great Lakes state– in the Northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan teaching garden-based education to elementary students. In her free time, Erin enjoys finding bodies of water to swim or kayak in, going hiking, playing in the snow, among other outdoor activities. When not outside she can usually be found in the kitchen cooking or getting better at baking bread!

(she, her) – Hablo Espanol

José is the Marketing Coordinator for Walking Mountains Science Center. He was originally born in Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua, México. At the age of five, he moved to Colorado and has been living in Eagle County ever since, enjoying all the outdoor activities that the valley has to offer.

He attended Colorado Mountain College where he graduated with his associates in Graphic Design in 2022 and received his Bachelor’s in Leadership & Management in 2024. Prior to his role with Walking Mountains, José volunteered and worked with non-profits such as Eagle Valley Library District where he developed his passion for working for and with the community.

His favorite activities include being outdoors on his bike or paddle board, painting, and cozying up with a good book or videogame.

Teresa is the Exploremos manager at Walking Mountains. Born and raised in Barcelona, Spain she pursued her BA in English Language and Literature at the Universitat de Barcelona and then a MA in Spanish Language and Literature at Catholic University of America in Washington D.C as well as a certification in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education. She has taught at an elementary dual language school and at a University level Spanish, English and ESL in Spain and in the US for over 27 years.

She is very passionate about the outdoors where you will find her most of the time above 12,000ft. You are also likely to see her skiing, cooking, traveling, visiting and spending time with family in Spain, learning and practicing foreign languages, having quality time with friends or promoting multicultural, multilingual and equitable inclusive environments.

Growing up, Chantel had the opportunity to live in Arizona, Idaho and Minnesota. Living in such diverse places opened her eyes to the diversity and beauty of nature. In her teen years, Chantel enjoyed canoeing on the Mississippi River and camping in the secluded Boundary Waters of Minnesota. Through her education towards a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Phoenix, Chantel became extremely passionate about environmental justice, sustainability and climate change. This passion is what brings her to Walking Mountains. In her role as the Climate Action Collaborative Coordinator, she supports the Climate Action Collaborative Manager as well as the Climate Action Collaborative in their work on the Eagle County Climate Action Plan.

In Chantel’s free time you can often find her in the mountains hiking, camping, or enjoying the views. She also enjoys reading, cooking and traveling.

Courtney grew up in Metro-Detroit but spent much of her childhood in the Northwoods. It was there that she grew an interest in the natural world and realized the threat of climate change. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies & Sustainability from Northern Michigan University and since then, she has looked for ways to fight climate change. She joined Walking Mountains first as a Sustainability Intern and fell in love with the area. She returns from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as a Sustainability Program Coordinator for Residential Energy Programs.

In her free time, you can find Courtney hiking and camping with her husband, attempting to fly fish, skiing in the winter, or hanging out with their cat Mira.

Cody began at Walking Mountains Science Center in January of 2023 as an Energy Programs Coordinator. She provides support and coordination to residences in the area to help them save energy and qualify for energy efficiency rebates, the goal being to reduce green-house gas emissions and promote environmental stewardship.

Cody grew up in Breckenridge, CO with a passion for sustainability, largely influenced by her mother, who was a recycling and sustainability enthusiast in Summit County for over 20 years between the 80’s and 2000’s. After graduating from Summit High School, she attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, double majoring in Environmental Studies and Geography. She continued to pursue a career focusing on energy efficiency and environmental remediation, working at sites (some governmentally funded) across the United States. Over the past several years, Cody has traveled to over 15 different countries. Included in her travels was a live-aboard sailing trip from Long Island, NY to the Bahamas. These travels increased her existing passion for preserving the environment and combatting climate change. Though she no longer snowboards or skis, she loves being outdoors hiking, snowshoeing, camping, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Mady was born in Mexico and raised mostly in Eagle, CO where she spent a lot of her time outdoors with different programs offered by the schools. Growing up in Eagle and Mexico, Mady was able to connect with the environment as her family is big on farming and keeping a clean environment for future generations. Mady earned her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental and Sustainability Studies with a minor in Geographic Informational Science at University of Northern Colorado. Before becoming a Sustainability Programs Coordinator she was a Sustainability Intern at Walking Mountains where she has learned lots about recycling and energy in Eagle County.

In her free time Mady enjoys spending time outdoors by mountain biking or snowboarding and hanging out with friends and family.

Quinn (she/her) was born and raised in Connecticut. She received her degree in Environmental Studies from the University of North Carolina. After graduating, she moved out to Colorado to try to find her niche in sustainability. She started out working in Fort Collins advocating for local renewable energy projects, then found herself at Copper Mountain working on the waste diverging systems at the resort. After falling in love with waste diversion, she became a Sustainability Intern, then the Zero Waste Lead, and is now the Sustainability Program Coordinator. When she is not in the office, she loves to ski, read, hike, and be outside!

Cat Moloney (she/her) grew up in Ohio and comes from generations of farmers who have instilled in her a reverence for the earth. Cat moved to Eagle County in 2016 to get a change of scenery but after meeting her husband and starting a family, she is lucky enough to call Eagle County her home. Cat found her academic calling in the sustainability program at Colorado Mountain College in Edwards. She graduated in 2023 with a degree in Sustainability Studies. After completing an internship at Walking Mountains Science Center, she has continued on as the Sustainability Programs Coordinator for Sustainable Business. Cat works with local businesses to incorporate sustainability best practices in their operations, meet the Actively Green certification, and increase the network of green businesses here in Eagle County. You might find Cat snowboarding, cross-country skiing (poorly!), reading, or spending time with her husband and new baby. She is dying to talk to anyone about the book that she just finished, so reach out to discuss sustainable business or your favorite book.

Callie grew up on a farm in rural Southwestern Washington where she spent her childhood exploring its vast woods, rivers, and fields. This inspired her love for the outdoors and passion for environmental science and stewardship. She moved to Southeastern Idaho where she made great memories studying glaciation in the northern Rocky Mountains and spending her free time fly fishing on one of the many nearby rivers. Her curiosity eventually led her South to Alabama, where she began working as an Environmental Educator and Water Quality Specialist at an environmental center in the Bankhead National Forest.

Homesick for the Rockies, Callie ended up moving back West and joining Walking Mountains in May 2024 as a Summer Educator with the Youth Programs Team. In Winter 2024, she joined the Community Programs team as a Winter Naturalist, then April 2025 started as Lead Naturalist. In March 2026, she began her current position as Development Coordinator where she works closely with the Development Team to plan and execute special events and help with outreach to current and prospective donors.

In her free time, you’ll likely find Callie outside fly fishing, hiking, camping, skiing, or in the river trying to find cool bugs. When not outside, she’s probably trying out new sourdough recipes in her kitchen, working on one of her (many) craft projects, or out swing dancing.

Hannah grew up on the Fox Lake in McHenry, Illinois, where she gained her love of the outdoors. She attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, double majoring in Environmental Science and Sustainability. The two years following graduation, she served as the Sustainability Coordinator for Drake University. Ready to continue her career in sustainability, but leave the Midwest, Hannah found her current position at Walking Mountains. In her free time, she loves snowboarding, slalom skiing, wake surfing, concerts, visiting zoos across the country, and spending time with friends and family.

Piper (she/her) is from Massachusetts and currently lives in Dover, New Hampshire. She attended Simmons University before transferring to the University of New Hampshire, where she graduated with a degree in Environmental Science with an ecosystems focus. She has previously worked with Senator Edward Markey on his environmental legislation team, as a field technician in Sweden, and just returned from study abroad in New Zealand researching wetland resilience to sea level rise. Piper is looking forward to gaining experience in environmental education and making science more accessible. In her free time, she enjoys music, reading, and photography.

Meridith (She/Her) grew up in Dallas, TX and went to school at the University of Oklahoma where she received her B.S. in Biology and a minor in art. She worked as a counselor at a YMCA camp on the lakefront in her hometown where she grew a passion for the outdoors. She has dedicated her career to environmental education and has since worked with the Maria Mitchell Association on Nantucket Island and the Burton 4-H center on Tybee Island, furthering her expertise of local ecology, animal husbandry, and teaching students of all ages. In her free time, she loves to paint, swim, surf, sing, and do anything creative!

Andrew (he/him) grew up just outside of Boston, Massachusetts, but it was in Colorado where he truly discovered his passion for the natural world. Originally moving to Boulder to pursue an engineering degree, he quickly found himself drawn to ecology, inspired by the state’s stunning landscapes and diverse ecosystems. He went on to study Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado, where he deepened his understanding of conservation, sustainability, and environmental education. He has previously worked in wildlife rehabilitation and educated the public on recent efforts involving wolf reintroduction in the Colorado Rockies. In his free time, Andrew enjoys reading, skiing and snowboarding, hiking and camping, foraging for mushrooms, and attending concerts.

Abby (she/her) is from Wisconsin where she spent her childhood camping, kayaking, and exploring the Great Lakes and deep woods that the Midwest has to offer; ultimately, instilling a deep passion for sustainability and environmental stewardship. This passion led her to pursue a degree in Environmental Science and Management at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Upon graduation, Abby set out to deepen her knowledge and to explore ecosystems outside of the Midwest, leading her to Walking Mountains. Abby started her journey at Walking Mountains as a Conservation Intern conducting field work in the Rocky Mountains with the U.S. Forest Service. She is now in her second season as a naturalist and is excited to utilize her creativity, artistic nature, and passion for nature to strengthen the connections between people and the outdoors. Outside of work, you can find her creating art, hiking, camping, and snowboarding.

Tessa grew up in Papillion, Nebraska, and has a passion for baking, hiking, hammocking, photography, and crafting. She is currently a senior at South Dakota State University, where she will graduate this May with a B.S. in Ecology & Environmental Science, along with minors in Horticulture and Sustainability.

Tessa is an avid houseplant enthusiast and a firm believer that pineapple belongs on pizza. After spending a summer as a naturalist at Custer State Park in South Dakota, she discovered her love for teaching others about the outdoors. Tessa is excited to continue this journey as a naturalist at Walking Mountains, where she looks forward to engaging with the public and exploring Colorado’s natural beauty.

Maya (she/her) grew up in eastern Pennsylvania where she spent most of her time exploring the Pocono Mountains and nearby rivers. Her love for the natural world is something she always remembers having and is pursuing to make into a career! She recently graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in wildlife biology. While in undergrad she was part of a program that partnered with a local elementary school to get students outside and interested in the environment around them. This developed a passion for outdoor education and making nature accessible to everyone! She is so excited to be exploring the Rockies and getting to do what she loves: teaching people about the outdoors! Maya fills her free time with snowboarding, birding, swimming, crafting, and baking!

Quinn was born and raised in Aurora, Colorado. She graduated from the University of Colorado Denver in 2024 with a degree in Environmental Science and Sustainability. After graduating she became a Sustainability Intern at Walking Mountains and now is the Zero Waste Lead. When she’s not diving headfirst into compost she is most likely thrifting, swimming, at concert, or sunbathing.

Reilly (she/her) grew up in Seattle, where she first found her passion for the environment while volunteering in the many beautiful parks around the city. She graduated in May from the George Washington University with a B.A. double majoring in International Affairs and Environmental Studies with a minor in Geography. Through her studies and various work experiences with environmental service companies and nonprofits, she has grown her knowledge of sustainability, resource management, and outreach. She is passionate about public education and engaging people in discussions about nature and environmental policy. One of her favorite parts of her undergrad experience was being the president of the GWU rock climbing team. When Reilly isn’t working (or studying) she loves hiking, climbing, cooking, live music, and spending time with friends and family!

Sarah (she/her) is originally from Connecticut. Her love of nature is rooted in her early childhood experiences exploring watery landscapes of the Northeast – spending as much time in, under, and around water as possible. She attended the George Washington University where she studied Environmental Studies and Fine Art. She explored different careers within the environmental field – serving as an Ocean Educator at The National Museum of Natural History, an oyster farm technician and a lab assistant studying the impacts of sea level rise on coastal communities of the Chesapeake Bay. Eager to experience new ecosystems, she went west and worked as a Naturalist and Backcountry Interpretive Guide at Walking Mountains Science Center. Following these roles, Sarah relocated to Burlington, VT where she engaged with local governments as a Flood Resilience Educator with Lake Champlain Sea Grant and The Nature Conservancy. In addition, she coached the University of Vermont’s sailing team and adaptive sailing programs on Lake Champlain. Sarah is passionate about inspiring learning, stewardship, and connection with the natural world – and is thrilled to be returning to Walking Mountains Science Center as a Foley Graduate Fellow! In her free time Sarah enjoys skiing, swimming, hiking, biking, painting, being on boats and making soup.

Sara grew up in the city of Chicago, IL and her passion for nature developed while exploring her neighborhood. She continued to be inspired by her elementary school teachers who valued wonder and curiosity. She graduated from Knox College with a B.A. in Elementary Education and a minor in Anthropology. Her love for teaching was expanded as she began working in residential summer camps at the age of 18 and was introduced to backpacking. Sara sought out opportunities to work in environmental/outdoor education after seeing the profound impacts of nature-based experiences on herself and youth. She has taught in both informal environmental science based settings and in formal classroom settings. She is very excited to gain a Masters in Science Education to continue to hone in on her teaching skills/style and to become a leader in the field. She is thrilled to be a part of the Walking Mountains team and mission. In her free time, Sara enjoys concerts, reading, hiking, backpacking, trying new things, snowboarding, and hanging out with friends.

GG (she/her) grew up in central New York and learned to love the outdoors exploring the lands around her home, sailing on Lake Ontario, and being a camp counselor in the Catskills Mountains. At Keuka College located in the finger lakes, she earned a B.A. in Biology with Organismal Studies and got the chance to explore her teaching passions through many field periods. Her curiosity led her to SouthEastern Minnesota working at an environmental learning center teaching many students over the years to step outside their comfort zones and into their challenge zones. GG chose Walking Mountains Science Center because she is ready to explore a new place, sharing her passion for the outdoors and having fun. Go Team OwOw! Outside of work GG can be found running and biking on the trails, painting birds, and playing with her dog Lima Bean.

Rylee (she/her) was born and raised in Fort Collins, Colorado. Her parents, a teacher and a fisheries biologist, inspired her love for nature at a very young age and is outside every chance she gets. With the Rocky Mountains as her playground she spent her time looking for fossils, studying local wildlife, and camping with her family. She graduated from Colorado State University in 2022 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Sociology and soon after continued her passion for environmental education working as an Eco Week Instructor at the Colorado State University Mountain Campus. After two seasons at the CSU Mountain Campus, Rylee is excited to continue to pursue her personal and professional goals at Walking Mountains Science Center. As someone who fell in love with the outdoors early in life, she strongly believes that connecting young students to their natural world will have a profound impact on the next generation of environmental stewards. She loves making connections in her community and challenges herself to be joyfully present in everything she does. When she’s not working, Rylee enjoys road tripping to new places, fly fishing, macro photography, scrapbooking, cold water swims, and snuggling up to a good movie. She is so incredibly excited to meet new people and grow as a human and as an environmental educator at Walking Mountains!

Justin Deutsch is originally from the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He graduated from Colorado State University in 2022 with a degree in Natural Resources Management and Conservation Biology. After graduation, Justin spent two summers working with fifth graders at CSU’s Mountain Campus and two winters teaching kids how to ski at Purgatory Resort in Durango, Colorado. His love for the outdoors started early, shaped by family trips to northern Wisconsin, and the shores of Michigan. Justin is a fan of all things sports, grew up playing lacrosse, and has countless great memories cheering on the Chicago Blackhawks with my grandparents. During high school he spent his summers as a day camp counselor, which ignited his passion for working with kids. One of many highlights from Justin’s time at CSU was working at the State Forest Service Tree Nursery as a tree farmer. Currently, his creative outlet is photography — what started as documenting wildlife quickly grew into something much more. He’s recently accumulated a collection of old Nikon film cameras that he has really enjoyed using! He’s thrilled to be joining the team at Walking Mountains, where he’ll have the opportunity to further develop his unique teaching style in the field of environmental education. Justin is passionate about inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards and remains hopeful for the future of our natural world.

Mitchell grew up in the great state of Ohio, moving to Dallas Texas when he was 15 years old. It was in high school that he developed a love for nature and everything outdoors. Mitchell collected snails and slugs from around the neighborhood, always talking about how fascinating they were, which quickly earned him the nickname “slugmaster” among all of his friends! He ended up going back to Ohio for undergrad, attending Ohio University where Mitchell got a bachelor’s degree in wildlife and conservation biology. After graduating he worked in Oregon with the forest service and in Jackson Wyoming for the Teton Science School before coming to Walking Mountains.

Mitchell has two lovely and supportive parents, one talented younger brother, a wonderful doggo named Zoe, and a pet snail named Shelldon. Shelldon has probably traveled more than any other snail, joining Mitchell on numerous adventures to national parks around the country! In his free time, Mitchell enjoys playing soccer, board games, and hiking!!

Alli (she/her) is originally from Western New York, where she developed a deep love for the outdoors through hiking and playing outside. She earned a degree in Biology and Geography from the State University of New York at Geneseo in 2021. After graduation, Alli worked with an invasive plant crew in Northern New York and gained hands-on experience in prescribed fire and forestry as a Student Conservation Association intern at the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia. It was during her time at the Blue Ridge Outdoor Education Center in

Georgia, that Alli discovered her passion for Environmental Education, taking students on adventures and helping them develop an appreciation for nature. She expanded her environmental education experience during over two years at the Dunes Learning Center in Northwest Indiana as an outreach education fellow, where she taught students about nature in their own communities and the diverse ecosystems of the Indiana Dunes. Her favorite outdoor places are beaches and waterfalls. She is very excited to learn more about nature at Walking Mountains with some amazing students!

Maggie grew up in Maryland, where exploring the woods, creek, and pond behind her home sparked her love for nature. She became an active 4-H member and spent summers counseling at nature-based camps and working on local farms.

At Frostburg State University, Maggie played lacrosse and earned a B.S. in Early Childhood Education. After graduating, she combined her passions for teaching and the outdoors by teaching kindergarten and first grade at nature schools, including one on a farm in Nashville. Teaching outside deepened her commitment to educating others about nature, agriculture, and sustainability.

Now, she is excited to pursue a Master’s in Science Education to further develop her skills in teaching science-based lessons and in developing curriculum that inspires others to care for the environment. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, playing pickleball, snowboarding, reading, and spending time with friends.