Bo Glover President & CEO
email me | 949-645-8489 ext. 101 | more about Bo
Trail building, habitat restoration, and leading educational tours as a volunteer marked the early days of Bo Glover’s career at the Environmental Nature Center after he moved to California in 1991. Bo has been at the helm of the Environmental Nature Center since 1995. When he’s not hiking or camping with his family in his VW bus, Cassidy, Bo remains deeply engaged in the community. He currently serves on the Fairview Park Advisory Committee for the City of Costa Mesa. Bo is a LEED Accredited Professional and has served in leadership roles for numerous organizations, including Past-President of the Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) and the California Society for Ecological Restoration (SERCAL). He has also been a member of the Orange County CREEC Network Advisory Committee, the Newport-Mesa Schools Foundation Grants Allocations Committee (1996–2012), the Environmental Board of the City of Huntington Beach (2009–2012), and Chairman of the City of Newport Beach Castaways Park Advisory Committee (1999–2003). Bo also served on the Board of Directors of Orange Coast River Park Inc. and was a member of the Market Leader Advisory Board for the Orange County chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). His work has been recognized with several awards, including the Lakers Community Champion Award, presented by the Lakers and LG Solar, and the 2018 Leadership Award from the Association of Nature Center Administrators. He was also honored with the North Penn High School Lifetime Achievement Award and inducted into their Hall of Fame. Always remember… Unless.
Lori Whalen Vice President
email me | 949-645-8489 ext. 103 | more about Lori
Lori has worked in the non-profit field for nearly two decades. She joined the ENC staff in 2003. Lori oversees the ENC’s communications, education programs, volunteer programs and horticulture, and assists with funds development. Previously she has worked for The Nature Conservancy, the City of Huntington Beach, and the Orange County Department of Education. Lori has a BS from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and an MA in Communications from California State University, Fullerton. She is a member of the Marketing Committee for the Association of Nature Center Administrators, and the Garden Tour Committee of the California Native Plant Society. In her free time, she likes to hike, bike, camp, read, travel, experience live music, practice yoga, garden with native plants and hang out with her dog Sully. She was the recipient of the prestigious Nathaniel Lamm Scholarship Award for excellence in Environmental Education on 2002, and the California Senate “Women Making a Difference” award in 2012.
Vanessa “Nessie” Sener ENC Nature Preschool Director
email me | 949-629-1044 ext. 201
Vanessa, a lifelong Orange County resident, discovered her passion for the natural world during her formative years exploring the scenic beauty of her hometown, San Clemente.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Pacific Oaks College of Education, Vanessa brings over 20 years of expertise as an inclusive Early Years Educator to the ENC Nature Preschool. Her journey with the Environmental Nature Center began even before the preschool’s inception, transitioning from ENC Member to Camp Naturalist. Over the years, Vanessa advanced within the organization, taking on pivotal roles such as Lead Nature Teacher in the Bear Classroom and our program’s Curriculum Coordinator.
Vanessa is passionate about nurturing children’s growth through play-based, child-led philosophies. She is committed to creating an environment where every child feels valued, inspired, and empowered to explore, reflect, and develop a strong sense of self. Her approach focuses on fostering curiosity, independence, and meaningful connections that support lifelong learning.
Vanessa’s contributions to the field of early childhood education have earned her significant recognition. In 2022, she was awarded Outstanding Early Childhood Education Professional of the Year by the Orange County Association for the Education of Young Children. In 2024, she received the Outstanding STEM Educator of the Year in Early Education award, from The OC STEM Initiative, honoring her innovative integration of STEM into early learning experiences.
A dedicated mentor and leader, Vanessa continually strives to elevate her impact in the field of early education. She is an active member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and proudly serves on the board of the Orange County Association for the Education of Young Children (OCAEYC), a NAEYC affiliate.
Mindy Schwartz Education Director
email me | 949-645-8489 ext. 102
Mindy comes to us with a B.S. in Environmental Studies from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia and an M.S. in Conservation Ecology & Sustainable Development from the University of Georgia. While at UGA, she also earned a certificate in nonprofit management. During an internship at the Environmental Education Center at Lord Stirling Park, Mindy was exposed to writing and executing her own environmental education lessons using the outdoors as a classroom – and she fell in love with it. For over 15 years she has kept busy as an environmental educator and naturalist at a variety of zoos, nature centers, and outdoor schools. Most recently, Mindy was employed by the California Science Center as an Education Program Specialist and at Trash for Teaching as the Director of Creative Programming. She brings her skills of leadership, professional development, and creative problem solving to the ENC. Her passion is building collaborations with other organizations, allowing both partners to go beyond what they would do alone. In her spare time Mindy enjoys traveling, photography, team trivia, and swing dancing.
Wendy Green Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary Manager
Wendy is originally from Connecticut. Her grandfather taught her love of the outdoors. She has a B.S. in Environmental Science from UNH and a M.S. in Wildlife Biology from UConn. Professionally she worked as an endangered species biologist for the USFWS specializing in coastal shorebird recovery for over a decade. For the past 10 years she’s called California home as a stay-at-home mom of two boys. She’s excited to get back to work and share her love of nature with everyone at the ENC.
Skyler Forche Education Coordinator
Skyler began his college education at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo as a Microbiology major. He soon learned that his passions were in the outdoors and changed his major to Human Dimensions of Natural Resources and began studying at Colorado State University. Nonprofits Skyler has volunteered with include the Spectacled Bear Society, Trees Water People, and the Environmental Learning Center in Colorado. Skyler began as an Early Childhood Education Intern at the ENC before becoming a part-time Naturalist. Hobbies of his include hiking, camping, and swimming in the ocean.
Ali Aguarino Facility Maintenance Manager
email me | 949-645-8489 ext. 109
Ali has been working in science and outdoor education for almost 20 years. As the Facility Maintenance Manager, he is responsible for the protection and enhancement of the Environmental Nature Center’s grounds including the implementation of improvements and maintenance activities. He also teaches educational programs. Prior to working at the ENC, Ali was the Grounds Keeper and Naturalist for the Orange County Department of Education, where he also taught outdoor science education. He also worked on the Island of Saipan as a Middle School Teacher. Ali received his Bachelor’s of Science degree in the Philippines, where he was born and raised. His hobbies include hiking, photography, bike riding, and gardening.
Kass DeBoer Early Childhood Education Specialist
Kass studied Child Development at Crafton Hills College, where she took every child development class they offered. Following college, she began teaching at a Montessori based preschool. After teaching indoors for a few years, she got the opportunity to teach outdoors and became a naturalist at a non-profit nature preserve. It was here where Kass found her true passion: teaching children about the wonder and joys of nature. Viewing the outdoors through a child’s lens Kass learned how to create fun and engaging programming. To escape snowy winter conditions, Kass moved from the mountains to Orange County where she taught as a naturalist at a Reggio-Emilia Preschool. When not working, Kass enjoys sewing, ceramics, roller skating, and working in her garden.
Ryan English Lead Naturalist
Ryan graduated from California State University Long Beach with a BS in Biology. At the time, she was working for a homeschool company where she taught marine biology to students on the beaches of Laguna. She loved it so much that she ended up managing the program for a short time, designing interactive lesson plans and overseeing classes held in other cities and states. Wanting to travel, in the summer of 2023 Ryan was accepted into a wildlife biology internship in Costa Rica, where she spent three months studying the foraging behaviors of mantled howler monkeys. After coming home she realized how much she missed teaching, which brought her to the ENC. When she’s not working, Ryan enjoys dancing, tidepooling, birding, and volunteering at a local wildlife hospital.
Mariah Hall Horticulture Technician
Mariah Hall is a skilled horticulturist with a deep passion for sustainable landscaping, urban forestry, and environmental education. With extensive hands-on experience in plant care, landscape maintenance, and ecological restoration, she has played an integral role in greening projects that enhance both urban and natural environments. Prior to working at the ENC, Mariah served as a Plant Resilience Team Member with AmeriCorps/TreePeople, where she planted and maintained trees in urban neighborhoods and mountain regions, facilitated community outreach events, and provided training on plant care practices. Before that, she contributed to Urban Soul Farmers as a landscape maintenance professional and assistant designer, performing key tasks such as watering, pruning, transplanting, and harvesting. Mariah is pursuing an Associate of Science degree in Horticulture at Long Beach City College, further enriching her knowledge in sustainable plant management. Driven by a commitment to environmental stewardship, Mariah strives to create greener spaces, inspire community engagement, and contribute to a more sustainable and vibrant future.
Julie Williams Naturalist
Julie is a nature-inspired artist and birding enthusiast who comes to the ENC after working as a Naturalist for Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary for four years. She has also served both the ENC and Tucker as a volunteer. Her devotion to sharing her passion for wildlife and habitat conservation shapes her involvement in teaching children and exploring nature with people of all ages. Her favorite pursuits include creating, birding, traveling to nature preserves, camping and documenting her trips in photographs. She also loves folk music, her tiny garden, a well-written book and morning coffee with her backyard birds. She has taught nature painting classes and has shown her mixed media pieces and sculpture at local art events for many years. She holds a BA degree in Art from Scripps College.
Eric Essen Naturalist
email me | 949-645-8489 ext. 119
Eric is a graduate of Vanguard University with a BA in Psychology. After college, Eric worked as an English and reading comprehension tutor before serving his community as Recreation Leader, overseeing the R.O.C.K.S program at various elementary schools in Costa Mesa. Eric has been on various mountain biking trips with his family throughout the Pacific Northwest and other areas, camping in the wilderness and riding between destinations. He is an Eagle Scout of Troop 339, whose fellow Scouts have conducted a number of Eagle Scout Projects here at the ENC. In his free time, Eric enjoys bike riding, cooking, and playing games.
Chris Holland Naturalist
Chris began his Naturalist career as a volunteer at the ENC long ago! We loved him so much that we hired him! When Chris is not teaching he is a Residential Sales & Leasing agent at Evergreen Realty and Associates, Inc. He likes the San Diego Chargers and listens to Country Music.
Graeme Hooker Naturalist
Graeme graduated with a BA in Psychology at California State University Long Beach. During this time he took child development classes along with his required psychology courses. He has always had a feeling of connection with nature and pursued environmental/horticultural classes in the hopes of teaching others about how nature can help an individual mentally and physically. Graeme was born and raised in SoCal and loves living by the beach. When Graeme is not working he is most likely trying to stay active by swimming in the ocean, hiking, or playing sports.
Desiree Romero Naturalist
Desiree grew up believing the trees could communicate and that being outside, surrounded by Nature, the outside world, was a safe place. After too many years at a desk in the legal field, Desiree went “out of office” permanently! Following her love for trees and the outside world, she sought out training and schooling for Ecotherapy, as well as Nature and Forest Therapy, becoming a certified Nature Therapy Guide. Desiree is a California native and furthered her schooling to become a Certified California Naturalist. Her training has also included becoming a Project Learning Tree Educator, to further share her passion for the outside world with the younger generation.
Julia Browne Naturalist
Julia Browne
Julia grew up in SoCal, where her love for nature and adventure began. She started at the Environmental Nature Center (ENC) as an Education Intern, where she first honed her skills in environmental education and outreach. Julia later studied at UC Santa Barbara, earning a B.S. in Environmental Studies. During her time there, she worked on several ecological restoration research projects and expanded her knowledge on various environmental topics. Julia also participated in a field studies marine management program in Hawaii, where she conducted coral reef field surveys and analyzed data from protected and unprotected coastal areas. Fascinated by the wonders of nature, Julia is passionate about inspiring younger generations to foster powerful connections with the natural world. In her free time, she loves surfing, hiking, traveling, and running!
Hanna Landazuri Naturalist
Hanna grew up in Irvine, California where she spent lots of time exploring the outdoors and traveling. Her love for teaching and inspiring children began with her dance instructor career, where she learned how to lead and motivate others by teaching one of her passions. She completed her college education at California State University Fullerton, earning her B.S. in ecology and evolutionary biology. During her time there, she researched many species such as Mojave Desert tortoises and chuckwallas! Hanna is passionate about conservation science and community outreach, and hopes to inspire the younger generation to love nature as she does! During her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and dancing.
Ahmad Alomar Naturalist
Since he was a child, Ahmad had an endless fascination with animals. Growing up in OC, he spent much of his time in parks or at the beach trying to spot as many birds, reptiles, and mammals as he could; always making sure to bring a camera with him. Naturally, he developed a passion for wildlife photography. After earning a BA in Environmental Studies from Cal State San Bernardino, Ahmad’s goal is to inspire others to protect the environment through education and photography. When he is not working, Ahmad enjoys hiking, tide-pooling, and woodworking.
Jenna Bailey Naturalist
Jenna has been fascinated with nature and its creatures her whole life, especially marine life. She spent almost every summer at the beach exploring. Getting her Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology from CSU Long Beach. During her summers off, she would work at different summer camps and found her passion for teaching STEAM to the next generation of young scientists. She got especially excited about sharing her love for nature and the ocean with kids, and getting them just as excited about it as she is! Jenna’s goal is to inspire children to become stewards of the environment and inspire the next generation of naturalists!
Isabela Moro Naturalist
Isabela was born and raised in Mexico City, before attending Think Global School- a traveling high school that took her across the world through project-based learning. She moved to Southern California to pursue a B.A. in Environmental Sciences at Soka University of America, graduating this May 2025. During her studies, Isabela developed a strong interest in sustainability, circular economy, and community-based education. She currently works as a GIS Analyst for the Laguna Ocean Foundation, supporting coastal conservation and resource management through geospatial analysis. Her background includes experience in ecological restoration, environmental research, and outdoor education. Isabela is passionate about making science accessible and engaging through hands-on learning and digital storytelling. In her free time, she enjoys photography, visual art, and playing sports- especially volleyball and soccer.
Dana Beas Naturalist
Dana grew up in Long Beach, CA, and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Cal State Long Beach. After graduation, she realized her passion really involved animals and working with kids, so she went back to Cal State Long Beach and got her teaching credential in Science. She taught middle school science for seven years, and then taught three years of Marine Biology at the high school level. After living in the Los Angeles area for almost 10 years, she moved back to Long Beach. She now teaches 9th grade Biology at Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. She has a love for every animal she comes across, even the ones that she is afraid of (spiders)! In her free time, you can find her watching Baseball or Football (Go Dodgers and Rams!), hanging in her backyard with her family, or exploring the great outdoors around Southern California with her husband and almost 2-year-old son, Benny.
Alison McPeek Naturalist
Ali is a graduate of CA State University, Fullerton with a B.A. in Communicative Disorders and over thirteen years of experience in play-based, child-led educational and support services. She is dedicated to encourage curiosity, empower perseverance, and foster appreciation of self, others, and nature through hands-on, inclusive experiences. Her current work as a Certified Registered Behavior Technician has fortified her adaptability to understand behavior as communication and respond with compassion, support, and collaboration. In parallel, her current work with local Charter Schools and Homeschool Programs involves adapting core subjects to meet the needs of students with varying learning profiles. Additionally, her business, Art Voyces with Miss Ali, merges exploration and creative expression with a thematic curriculum of art, history, and science. Whether leading engaging, age-appropriate lessons or guiding children through sensory-based projects, she invests in the interests of children to understand individual needs, encourage growth, and celebrate unique strengths – helping them pursue and navigate a lifelong love of learning. In her free time, Ali enjoys spending time with her daughter crafting, camping, bike riding, swimming, playing volleyball or soccer, and visiting the beach or local museums. You may also spot her and her daughter performing in the 2025 Pageant of the Masters this summer!
Laura Millard Naturalist
Laura is thrilled for the opportunity to inspire kids with the same wonder about nature that made her try to live in her backyard as a kid. Her curiosity about the natural world took her to UC San Diego where she earned her Masters in Biology and Bachelors in Biochemistry. While completing her thesis there in plant biochemistry she also worked as a teaching assistant, where she became involved in research on the cognitive science of learning. In school she was passionate about her coursework in biogeochemistry, fossil studies, the chemistry of pollution, and evolutionary ecology. Laura is now a college instructor of Biology during the school year and is ecstatic to be spending her summers sharing nature with children. When she’s not working Laura loves backpacking, oil painting, growing chili peppers, and telling dogs they’re such good boys.
Lauren Dimler Naturalist
This summer, Lauren Dimler joined the ENC team as a summer camp Naturalist. She was born and raised in Los Angeles, but relocated to Monterey to pursue her B.S. in Environmental Studies from Cal State University Monterey Bay. Lauren spent her summers in high school and early college working at a summer camp in Malibu Canyon serving 8-16 year olds living in the Los Angeles area. When she moved to Monterey, she held positions at the local art museum as an art educator. After a professor of Lauren’s told his class about working at a kayak shop, she took a leap of faith and landed a job working as a kayak guide. Lauren led school and tour groups through Elkhorn Slough, a protected estuarine habitat that is known for their southern sea otter populations. She fell in love, and additionally pursued a position at the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve as a scientific aide with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lauren started teaching in a classroom environment in 2018, but still continued working at the kayak shop on weekends and summers. She relocated back to Southern California last summer, and has been teaching 3rd grade throughout the school year. In her free time, you’ll find her identifying plant species while hiking with her toddler and husband, walking her dog Basil, and binge-watching House Hunters.
Britta Moore Naturalist
Britta is an enthusiastic naturalist and educator that grew up beachcombing, tide-pooling, hiking, and camping in California. With a strong love for animals and learning about the intricacies of the natural world, Britta earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology with an emphasis in Zoology at California State University of Long Beach. After graduating, she sought ways to share her love of learning with others through teaching in summer camps and public schools; and obtained her teaching credential. She continued teaching science (along with some geography and yoga) in K-12 private and public schools for the next nine years. Later she earned her Masters in Teaching Biological Sciences with a focus in Conservation Leadership and taught at a Forest School. In her spare time, you can find Britta exploring trails with her husband, their preschooler, and their dogs.
Michael Gomez Naturalist
Michael studied neurobiology and biological sciences at the University of California, Irvine. He worked at the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory assisting with the UCI Brain Camp and Brain Explorer Academy, where students from middle and high school learned about the nature of the brain. He’s worked with children at various capacities such as soccer coach, dance instructor, and science tutor. He also serves adults through life coaching that focuses on neuroplasticity, brain health and emotional intelligence. Michael is curious, and he enjoys all kinds of adventurous activities. Some of his hobbies include dancing, reading, calligraphy and boxing. He loves animals and is passionate about children’s education.
Ashley Nick Naturalist
Evan Harford Naturalist
Evan was born and raised in the mountains of San Bernardino. As a youth he learned to love and care for nature as he volunteered for local wildlife refuges and Summer/Winter camps. He continued his love for environmental education and moved to Oregon and worked for the Portland Parks and Rec system. Evan loves nothing more than to spend his free time with friends and loved ones in nature. His favorite hobbies include fishing, backpacking, and camping. You can always depend on him for fun nature facts! His personal mission is to encourage, inspire, and cultivate an inclusive and fun experience for anyone wishing to learn about the wonders of our natural world.
Maya Kalle Naturalist
Maya is a bright and bubbly nature lover who adores learning about the environment. Before starting at the ENC, Maya spent many years as the STEM station lead for the Lake Forest Day Camp, which sparked her interest in environmental education. Later when participating in a field research program in the Alaskan backcountry, Maya gained incredible experience learning about coastal ecologies, and how science and art can intersect to create a productive learning environment. Maya is excited to share her abundance of knowledge with her students, making them just as curious and passionate about the natural world as she is. Currently a student at Saddleback College, Maya hopes to transfer and earn a degree in environmental science. In her free time, you can catch her enjoying nature documentaries, hiking with friends, participating in habitat restoration, or reading.
Board of Directors
Shana Buxser, Chairperson of the Board
John Parenti, Vice-Chair Finance / Treasurer
Bob Kelly, Vice-Chair Education and Site
Supra Verma, Vice-Chair Board Governance
Christopher Blank, Secretary
Arthur Jeppe
Laura Blumenstein
Rick John
Matt Tuten
Craig Smith
Rick Wandrocke
Robert House, Director Emeritus