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Mercer Slough
Environmental Education Center

Meet Our Staff

Geoff Eseltine - Internship Coordinator 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.

Celina Steiger - Internship Mentor Celina has lived in Seattle, Bellingham, Vancouver (WA) and Pennsylvania, attended Western Washington University and got her Certificate in Environmental Education at IslandWood. She loves being outside, with friends, alone and with kids, particularly in the forest. When not teaching kids about nature and science, she likes to kayak, watch movies, drink coffee and spend time with friends. Her favorite place she's visited is Nicaragua, but wishes she could speak better Spanish.

Joanna Stodden - Teacher A Seattle native, Joanna loves nothing more than sharing nature with others. She graduated from The Evergreen State College in 2006 with a BS in Field Biology and Environmental Sciences. She taught environmental education and led sea kayaking trips at YMCA Camp Orkila on Orcas Island. Shortly after, she conducted amphibian and salmon surveys in Washington, Oregon, and rural Southeast Alaska. She eventually found herself a bit lonely amongst the grizzly bears and missed sharing our incredible home with others. After teaching Puget Sound stewardship to youth on the Tall Ship Adventuress, she found her current home at the Mercer Slough. You will most likely find Joanna following an ant back to her colony or squawking with the herons.

Jackie White - Teacher Jackie has lived in Seattle for almost all her life, and she's continually fascinated by the beauty of this place. In college Jackie's love of science and the natural world led her to Biology and Environmental Studies. Since then, she has done field work on Olympia oyster restoration ecology, and worked at both the Pacific Science Center and the Olympic Sculpture Park. Jackie discovered that her true love was environmental education, and she is thrilled to be back at the Mercer Slough. Currently she is completing a Master's in Education at the University of Washington, and in her spare time enjoys gardening, biking, and relaxing with some coffee and a good book.

Apryl Brinkley - Manager After graduating from Boston University with a degree in Environmental Science, Apryl made the cross country journey to Seattle and has never looked back. The way she sees it - where else can you drive down the street and suddenly be awestruck by the sight of Mount Rainier floating above the horizon. Apryl worked as an organic chemist before returning to her first love - teaching children. She worked at the Bellevue YMCA for numerous years as the Day Camp Director and Supervisor of the Childcare Program. She was so thrilled when she discovered one could actually work at the Mercer Slough Nature Park. She enjoys learning about wetlands and dragonfly nymphs and she's always trying to spot a beaver while canoeing at the Slough.

Brad Street -Educational Programs Supervisor After graduating with a Masters in Secondary Education from Western Washington University, Brad found that nature was his preferred classroom. He spent five years on Orcas Island in the San Juans, teaching environmental education at YMCA Camp Orkila, and directing Moran State Park's Moran Outdoor School program. When not teaching environmental education, he was a sea kayak guide. Moving to Seattle, Brad worked for Discovery Park's Nature Day Camp program, before coming to the Slough. His current dream is to spot one of the elusive local coyotes. Brad loves to get out for an occasional paddle, and to explore new trails. If you have any local favorites, let him know!

Cara Cousins - Programs Coordinator Growing up, CJ was always fascinated with nature. This led her to a degree in Adventure Recreation and Outdoor Education. After graduating, she worked with Americorps VISTA teaching environmental education. Since moving to Seattle from Ohio, CJ has worked at the Pacific Science Center, taught at the Mercer Slough, University Child Development School and the Open Window School, along with managed a climbing gym. All of those teaching and managing years have led her back to the Mercer Slough, where she finds herself most at home among the banana slugs, stinging nettles, and water boatman. In her spare time, CJ enjoys climbing, playing soccer, reading, knitting, and painting.

Programming at the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center is provided by
the Russell Family Foundation, Anonymous and JiJi Foundation.