Board of Directors
Meet Nearby Nature's Board of Directors!
Nearby Nature's Board of Directors is made up of community members from many different walks of life. We meet approximately once a month. If you are interested in learning more about joining our Board, let us know at info@nearbynature.org.
Holly Hartmann:
President: Board member since December 2003. Holly volunteered as a nature guide and served on the Board in the early 1990s when Nearby Nature was just beginning. Prior to this, she served 12 years as a volunteer naturalist, guide, coordinator, and board member for the Waterloo Nature Center near Ann Arbor MI, and as a trainer for Michigan's 4-H Challenge Program. Holly is Director of the Arid Lands Information Center at the University of Arizona where she leads research projects related to climate, hydrology, and development of decision support resources and tools (she prefers living in Eugene and going to Tucson when necessary). Holly also led our first year of weekend family Nature Quests in Alton Baker Park.
Jane Happy:
Vice President: Board member since January 2004. Jane has a B.A. in Environmental Sciences from Pomona College, an M.S.W. from New Mexico Highland University, and a background in entrepreneurship and field botany. She has experience working in grant writing, program evaluation, and cultural diversity. She currently works in the field of medical social work and has worked with at risk youth focusing on experiential education, outdoor education, and ropes courses. Jane has volunteered for Nearby Nature in various capacities since 1996, including as a nature guide, fundraiser, and summer daycamp instructor.
Thea Evenstad:
Board member since December 2006. Thea recently graduated from the UO. Thea has volunteered with Nearby Nature as a nature guide and as a Kinder Critter, and supports Nearby Nature in various other volunteer capacities. Thea taught summer daycamps in 2009.
Jackie Marlette:
Board member since December 2007. Jackie formerly
served as a volunteer for our school nature walks program. She works for the
Western Environmental Law Center, a non-profit public interest law firm that
works to protect and restore western wildlands and advocates for healthy
environments on behalf of 
Kristen DeHaven:
Board member since December 2007. Kristen is a student at Northwest Christian College. She served as an Outdoor Leader for our summer camps in 2007 and 2008 and as an office assistant in the Fall of 2007.
Jen Jackson
Board member since November 2009. Jen Jackson has an M.A. in Adventure Education and currently works for a variety of organizations that strive to connect youth with nature, including the City of Eugene’s River House program and the Looking Glass Riverfront School. When she’s not outside with kids, Jen enjoys hiking, practicing yoga, biking, playing with her dog, and traveling.
Rebecca Daniels
Board member since November 2009. Rebecca is currently the Finance Director at the Network Charter School and a volunteer at Sacred Heart Hospital. Mother of four kids ages 8-20, Rebecca also has a degree in classical piano, plays the cello, and loves to camp, hike, and swim in creeks.
Non-voting Board Members
Joseph Minato:
Board member (non-voting) and co-founder (1992). Joseph teaches natural sciences, and is a former executive director, board member, and lead instructor for Nearby Nature. He served two terms on the board of the East Alton Baker Park Citizens Planning Committee. He holds a B.S. from M.I.T., has completed post-graduate work in astrophysics and geophysics, has an Oregon teaching certificate, and is currently working at the Portland Jewish Academy as a middle school science teacher.
Elizabeth Gates:
Board member since May 2001, non-voting since 2005. Elizabeth has served as a zoo 
