Staff

Meet Nearby Nature's Staff

Nearby Nature's staff would love to hear from you! To contact us, email info@nearbynature.org.

Beth Stein, Program Director and Acting Director

Beth has worked with Nearby Nature since 1994, serving currently as program director. Beth is a writer, educator, storyteller, and key developer and manager of much of the programming at Nearby Nature. She is our lead programmer for our School Nature Walks Program, a School Classroom Visits instructor, a grant writer, our lead organizer for yearly special events, and our newsletter editor. Beth has a B.A. in English Literature and a minor in Environmental Studies from Williams College.

Elyse Perambo, Educator Coordinator

Elyse joined Nearby Nature’s staff in August of 2008. Previously, Elyse ran daycamps and public outreach programs for Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Gothic, Colorado. Elyse brings experience in curriculum development, working with at-risk youth ages 4 to 14, and is certified as a Wilderness First Responder. Elyse currently serves as an assistant programmer for our School Nature Walks program, as a School Classroom Visits instructor, as the Lead Instructor for No School Day Programs, and as the Director of our Summer Daycamps Program. Elyse has a B.S. in Wildlife Biology and M.S. in Environmental Education.

Erin Lamb, Park Host

Erin is a Park Host in Alton Baker Park and the lead developer of Nearby Nature's Learnscape. Erin brings to Nearby Nature a love of all things outside and growing, five years experience teaching middle and high school science, and, thanks to her parents, has been gardening organically since before she was born! Erin has a B.S. in Biology and a M.A. in Education for high school biology and middle school.

Joy Lamb, Park Host

Joy is also a park host and enjoys the opportunity to experience seasonal changes in Alton Baker Park from a front row seat. She is out in the park everyday: picking up trash and doing litter patrol, walking with amazing guides as part of volunteer training, monitoring activity in the park, and just observing. Joy has a degree in Biochemistry from the UO, and enjoys the enrichment that a background in genetics can lend to a walk in the woods. She has worked with children from infants through high school, as a teacher, mentor, advisor, health care provider, and friend. She enjoys working with people who are dedicated to being outside, and to helping kids experience and enjoy nature.

Kate Self, Weekend Programs Coordinator

Kate has been the Weekend Programs Coordinator since 2008. She represents Nearby Nature at community events with help from outstanding volunteers. Kate also leads a family Nature Quest one weekend each month. While attending the UO from 2005-2009, Kate gained educational experience through the Environmental Leadership Program. She applies this knowledge to the organization’s mission of showing kids (young and old) the beauty of nature in their own backyards. Kate has a B.S. in Environmental Science with minors in Biology and Italian. 

Network Charter School Instructors

Wendy McKenzie, NCS Instructor

Wendy has been an NCS science teacher since 2003. She has worked with Nearby Nature since 1995 and served for many years as its park host. She is an experienced gardener, an artist, and a skilled teacher.

Denise Velasco, NCS Instructor

Denise Velasco started volunteering for Nearby Nature 10 years ago and has been teaching at NCS for the last six years. Her classes include math, health, and independent living. Denise also occasionally teaches summer daycamps. When she's not working with NCS or Nearby Nature, Denise is a mom to a wonderful little boy, and enjoys reading, baking, and gardening.

Billy Hughes, NCS Instructor

Perry Joseph, NCS Instructor

2010 Summer Daycamps Staff

Crystal Strege, Summer Daycamps Instructor

After enduring harsh Wisconsin winters for 21 years, Crystal packed up everything and ventured to out to beautiful Oregon. Between exploring the Northwest and working at a daycare center, she received her Masters degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education. Since then, Crystal has worked as a substitute teacher in numerous schools and has assisted students of all ages. Crystal looks forward to sharing her love for the outdoors with kids at Nearby Nature!

Rhian Pyke, Summer Daycamps Instructor

Rhian Pyke graduated from the University of Oregon in June 2008, with her Masters in Teaching and Learning. Since Rhian graduated, she has been a substitute teacher in Eugene, and its surrounding areas. Rhian also performs as a drummer in the performing dance troupe, Dance Africa. Through Dance Africa, she uses music and dance to teach children at local elementary schools about Africa and its culture. When Rhian is not teaching, or drumming, she loves spending time outdoors, hiking, bicycling, or simply reading a good book.

Elyse Perambo, Summer Daycamps Instructor (and Educator Coordinator -- see above)

Tracy Gagnon, Summer Daycamps Instructor

Tracy is an AmeriCorps volunteer, serving as the Site Coordinator for the School Garden Project since September, 2008.  She creates and teaches garden curriculum to students K-6 throughout Lane County.  She is passionate about community, youth, growing food, and native plants.

Erin Lamb, Summer Daycamps Instructor (and Park Host -- see above)

Rosie Sweetman -- coming soon!

Kit Lacy -- Summer Daycamps Instructor

 Kit was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin. After attending universities in Wisconsin, she headed west to Oregon. She enrolled at the University of Oregon and began working in an ecology lab. She completed a master's degree in biology, specializing in communication and social behavior of iguanas. Kit began volunteering at Cascades Raptor Center in January of 2002, has taken the two-day IWRC basic skills class in wildlife rehabilitation, and has been part of the CRC education team since its beginning. Kit also taught biology at LCC for many years. She especially loves training the birds to be ambassadors for their species and also enjoys sharing her love of all things wild with nature center visitors of all ages.

Spring 2010 Interns

Austin Diamond

Austin is an avid nature enthusiast, runner, and writer  and a student at the University of Oregon. He is currently working with Erin Lamb on restoration projects in the park and recently set up Nearby Nature's new blog. Austin is also working with Nearby Nature's school nature walks program in Alton Baker Park. 

Maddie Allen

Maddie is a sophomore Environmental Studies major at the University of Oregon. She spends her free time with friends, hula hooping and doing yoga. She also loves running in Alton Baker Park, one of her favorite places in Eugene. Maddie is excited to share her passion for this park and its nature with kids, ensuring its protection in the future. Maddie is working with Nearby Nature's school nature walks program in Alton Baker Park. 

Olivia Hurd

Olivia is a student at the University of Oregon majoring in Environmental Science. In her free time she likes to volunteer, work with children, and enjoy the great outdoors. Olivia is working with Nearby Nature's school nature walks program in Alton Baker Park. 

Marissa Bossuet 

Marissa is a student at the University of Oregon graduating from the Education program in June. In her free time, she loves to read and spend time with family, including her puppies! Marissa is working with Nearby Nature's school nature walks program in Alton Baker Park.