People

Founded in 2011, Bow Seat is the world's largest environmental youth program for the creative arts. We provide an innovative space for youth to connect, create, and communicate for our blue planet. Working at the intersection of ocean science and arts education, our award-winning Ocean Awareness Contest emphasizes creative thinking and making in exploring the natural world. Through art exhibitions, publications, and scholarships, Bow Seat uplifts diverse youth voices to advance dialogue and participation in environmental conservation. We empower young thinkers and creators to be active and empathetic global citizens, starting in their local communities and watersheds.

 

I am interested in the use of digital media and persuasive technology in environmental education.

Nayiri Haroutunian is Program Director at EarthGen, an environmental education nonprofit. She creates programs and develops curricula to help support students to take environmental action in their school communities. She has a MS in Natural Resources & Environment from Michigan.

Nearly 20 years ago, Christy took her first job in environmental education at a conservation summer camp, and she hasn't looked back. She has worked in universities, international nonprofits, local organizations, state agencies, and private companies—always with an eye toward helping people build environmental literacy and meaningful connections to nature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from the University of Florida and a Master's Degree in Environmental Management from Yale University. When she's not working, Christy likes to swim, surf, and play with her family on the beaches of South Florida, where she lives and works.

As the former Director of Technology, Mary served as the project lead for NAAEE online technology, including the NAAEE website and eePRO, the hub for professional development. Mary had been on NAAEE staff since 1999 and her extensive background in technology, website development, outreach, multi-stakeholder collaboration, security, systems support, and project management experience consistently provided the highest level of support to NAAEE’s team, leadership, and members. 

Mary is now acting in an advisory role, continuing to support the work of the association.

 

As Director of Education and Outdoor Equity at TreePeople, Southern California's oldest and largest environmental nonprofit organization, I oversee a number of programs of informal, place-based environmental education. Our service learning program, Generation Earth, has targeted secondary teachers and students throughout Los Angeles County for 25 years, providing water, waste, and forestry experiential projects. TreePeople’s Outdoor Equity programs support youth and their families to connect with local natural and wildland areas. Through field trips, participants share experiences of their community and explore ways to steward and sustain their neighborhood’s natural resources while they have fun through hands-on learning.

I am the Director of America Adapts Media and host of America Adapts – The Climate Change Podcast. I previously worked on climate adaptation issues with the National Park Service, FL Fish and Wildlife Commission and in Queensland Australia. I'm dedicated to highlighting the issue of adaptation.

I have a passion for the natural world and learning. Finding a career as an interpreter is a dream. 

Former Park Interpreter and Classroom Science and English Teacher. Also LLC: Shortleaf Interpretive Services with a focus on Interpretive Planning and Resource Interpretive presentations and preformances.