Calvin Allan - Teacher - Born in the Philippines and growing up in the scenic Columbia River Gorge on the border of Washington and Oregon, Calvin developed a love for dynamic ecosystems, as well as the mighty Pacific Salmon. Calvin attended Seattle University where he cultivated his passion for public health, environmental and social justice issues. He recently finished up an AmeriCorps term where he has done environmental and sustainability outreach with various school districts in the Puget Sound and non-profits like Mercer Slough.

Kelly Berger - Teacher - Originally from Virginia, Kelly has explored and taught in a variety of ecosystems from the Galapagos Islands to the Appalachian mountains to the North Cascades. Her love of natural history led her first to wildlife conservation and then to environmental education.  Kelly graduated in 2005 with a B.S. in Wildlife Science from Virginia Tech. After hiking the southern half of the Appalachian Trail she moved to Seattle. Despite the rain, the Evergreen state enchanted her to stay. In 2010 she graduated with a Masters of Environmental Education from Western Washington University; a program that included a year-long residency in the North Cascades National Park. Kelly's hobbies include hiking, birdwatching, nature journaling, container gardening and making ice cream.

Chloe Birnel - Teacher - Chloe has spent her life exploring Seattle's natural areas. Over the years she has amassed an arsenal of fun facts about everything from medicinal plants to adaptations of intertidal creatures and is excited to share what she knows with Mercer Slough's visitors. She studied environmental education and policy at Western Washington University and has worked for various environmental non-profits in Washington and Alaska. In her free time Chloe volunteers as a naturalist for the Aquarium Beach Naturalist program and the Cedar River Salmon Journey and gets outdoors as much as possible.

Geoff Eseltine - Teen & Family Programs Supervisor - After graduating from Florida Tech with a degree in Science Education, Geoff decided to pursue teaching science outside the traditional classroom. Prior to coming to the Mercer Slough he taught wetland ecology on the barrier islands of North Carolina as well as spent time as a camp counselor in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Most recently he found himself drawn to the amazing natural diversity of Washington and has spent time with the Boys and Girls Club and the Upward Bound Program here in the Evergreen State. When Geoff is not teaching he enjoys exploring the mountains of western Washington and the wetlands of the Puget Sound, while also taking in as many baseball games as he can.

Charles Helms - Americorps Member/Education Programs Assistant - Growing up in North Carolina, Charles fell in love with all things wet, swampy, creepy and crawly during his many childhood adventures through Merchants Millpond State Park. During his time studying Biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Charles also gained experience working with kids as a summer camp counselor. Most recently he spent a summer asking questions and having fun with campers at the Piedmont Wildlife Center in Durham, NC. His newest adventure is moving across the country to complete a year of service with AmeriCorps as the Education Programs Assistant for the Mercer Slough. Charles is excited to be in Washington and can't wait to start exploring.

Courtney Leake - Teacher - Courtney developed her love for nature at an early age, playing in the woods with her brother and camping in the San Juan Islands with her family. Being so inspired by nature as a child led her to study Environmental Education while she attended Western Washington University. She took a year off after graduating in 2010 to pursue other passions such as travel and photography. Courtney feels fortunate to have found work at the Mercer Slough, a place where she can further her teaching experience and expand on her philosophies of Environmental Education. She is proud to represent an organization whose mission and vision reflect her own beliefs. Courtney enjoys hula hooping, cooking, playing guitar, hiking, singing, gardening, reading poetry, face painting, backpacking and teaching!

Karen Lennon - Manager - Karen is a natural resource professional and environmental educator with extensive experience and expertise in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. A native of the Pacific Northwest, Karen has worked in many capacities as a wildlife biologist, outreach specialist and manager of governmental, non-profit and private entities. Karen has developed and implemented educational programs for all age levels, has published on various wildlife species as well as facilitated complex natural resource programs, projects and negotiations. She has a wealth of experience in innovative program development and implementation and especially enjoys fostering partnership opportunities that provide meaningful service in support of natural resource education, conservation and management. Most recently, Karen served as Director of the Water and Environmental Center in Walla Walla, Washington, which was selected as one of two organizations last year by Governor Christine Gregoire for the 2010 Best Management Practices Award.

Amanda Mintz - Teacher - Amanda has been teaching weekend programs at Mercer Slough since spring of 2009. She is a Seattle native, and with the exception of three years in Bellingham she has lived here all her life! Amanda has a degree in environmental science from the UW and is currently pursuing elementary teacher certification. For most of her adult life she has worked with toddlers, but she has also been a baker, cake decorator, whitewater raft guide, stream restoration ecologist, and science teacher for Pacific Science Center's Science on Wheels outreach program. Amanda can't think of any better way to spend her weekends than hiking around the wetland teaching people about skunk cabbage and yellow spotted millipedes!

Siri Nelson - Teacher - Siri first became interested in nature and ecology as a kid growing up in Seattle. Local parks and family camping trips became opportunities to observe nature and revel in the outdoors. Because of this and the encouragement of excellent teachers along the way, her interest in biology and being outside has led to stints of field work in the U.S. and abroad. After receiving her B.S. from The Evergreen State College, she spent several years in pathogen genomics research, and then received her M.S. in Biology from the University of Washington. During her time at the UW, Siri was a National Science Foundation GK-12 fellow, co-teaching Ecology at Garfield High School in Seattle. This experience really shifted her focus, and she has become dedicated to science and nature education and outreach. When Siri isn't nerding out on science, she enjoys kayaking, swimming, floating down rivers, hiking, camping, raising chickens and cooking.

Leilani Nussman - Teacher - Leilani loves all water, especially those connected to Puget Sound, and loves teaching others about the wonderful ecosystems right in our backyards. She enjoys every second that she can spend sharing knowledge, respect, and appreciation for aquatic creatures and their habitat. After a childhood in Colorado, Leilani earned a Bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Portland, a certificate in Education, Environment, and Community from IslandWood, and a Master's degree in Education from UW. She has taught environmental education on the Oregon Coast and Puget Sound for about six and a half years, and looks forward to continuing to do so in the future. Her favorite part of teaching students about the outdoors is when kids get the chance to get their hands dirty and explore and observe the creatures with whom we share this planet.  Exploring first hand is the key to instilling a lifetime of learning about and respect for all living things.

Melanie Preston - Teacher - Growing up in Michigan, Melanie grew to love the natural world while walking the garden with her mother and grandmothers, exploring the woods and river near her home, and finding inspiration in school.  She earned a degree in biology from Cedarville University in Ohio and finished her teaching program in Michigan.  While in college, she spent her first summer in Grand Teton National Park, where she later worked several seasons as a park ranger.  From Wyoming, Melanie made her way to the beautiful Pacific Northwest where she taught high school science and worked as a park ranger in Olympic National Park.   She particularly enjoyed teaching environmental science and leading a local park restoration project.   When she is not sharing her love for the outdoors at the Mercer Slough, Melanie enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking, alpine climbing, reading, and playing guitar.

Jackie Wilson - Site Supervisor - Jackie grew up in the Seattle area, and fell in love with our local forests, waterways, and wildlife.  As a student Jackie focused on marine ecology, earning degrees in Biology and Environmental Studies.  After graduation Jackie joined the staff of the Pacific Science Center, working at Mercer Slough and with Science Interpretation, volunteers, and Science on Wheels.  She went on to hold the position of Environmental Steward for the Seattle Art Museum, and developed numerous art and environment education programs while managing partnerships, park volunteers, and SAM's sustainability initiatives.  Drawn to environmental education, Jackie returned to the University of Washington and graduated with a M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction.  While there, Jackie taught for the Program on the Environment, UW Pipeline Project, and Washington Sea Grant.  Jackie is thrilled to be back at the Mercer Slough, and is passionate about producing high quality education programs focused on science and the environment.

Steve Yasukawa - Teacher - Steve has worked with Pacific Science Center since 2007, after moving to Washington from Wisconsin. He taught with Science On Wheels in 22 counties over three years, and currently works with Mercer Slough, Camp-In, Camps for Curious Minds, and Wellness programming. Outside of PSC Steve has worked as a K-2 and a 3-5 teacher at an independent school in Seattle, and most recently taught English Language Learners (ELL) and 1st grade in Seattle Public Schools. When he is not working Steve pursues a passion for the woods, dancing to live music (or 90s pop), short fiction and fonts.  Quote Steve: "Yes, I'm a nerd. No, that is not my baby."