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Team & Board

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’s career at the ENC after moving to California in 1991.  Bo is currently the Executive Director of the ENC and has held that position since 1995. When he is not hiking or camping with his family, Bo affiliates himself with a number of worthwhile community organizations. Bo is Past-President of the Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) and California Society for Ecological Restoration (SERCAL). He was also a member of the Orange County CREEC Network Advisory Committee, the Chairman of the City of Newport Beach Castaways Park Advisory Committee from 1999 – 2003, a member of the Newport-Mesa Schools Foundation Grants Allocations Committee from 1996-2012, and served on the Environmental Board of the City of Huntington Beach from 2009 to 2012. Bo, a LEED Accredited Professional, serves on the Board of Directors of Orange Coast River Park Inc. and is a member of the Market Leader Advisory Board of the OC USGBC. Bo was also recently the recipient of the Lakers Community Champion award, presented by the Lakers and LG Solar on the Court at halftime, to recognize him for his work at the ENC. He received the 2018 Leadership Award from the Association of Nature Center Administrators in September 2018. 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

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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

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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

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

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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.

Blue Leopo Community Engagement Coordinator

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Blue joins the Environmental Nature Center as an experienced urban farmer, seed keeper, and a lover of all plant life and the outdoors. Blue is an active advocate for disadvantaged communities to have equitable access to the outdoors. She has worked in schools, non- profits, and local government to help expand green spaces in impacted urban areas. She is excited to be expanding her service as the Community Engagement Coordinator to the Environmental Nature Center and the ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary. She graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a B.A. in Social Policy and Public Service with an emphasis in Education and Health. In her free time, you can find Blue caretaking plants, traveling, and spending time with her friends, family and dog, Watson.

Ryan English Lead Naturalist

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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.

José Contreras Facility Operations Technician

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José is a Northern California native and was raised outdoors in the Central Coast.  He spent many summers exploring in the mountains of the Sierras, with many travels to Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. His love for the outdoors drove him to Montana to work with the Buffalo Field Campaign non-profit organization where he conducted field observations and research on buffalo herds within the Yellowstone Ecosystem and on the tribal lands. He is a passionate and dedicated outdoor educator and technical specialist with a knack for innovation and keen situational awareness in outdoor education, research, and natural habitat protection. He earned his Certificate in Park Management from West Valley College, and his outdoor highlight is having climbed Yosemite’s Half Dome at night! On his spare time, you can find him kayaking and exploring new trails.

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.

Janelle Loustaunau Horticulture Technician

Janelle helps protect and conserve our native plant communities at the Environmental Nature Center, ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary, and the ENC Nature Preschool! She began her journey with us after a year of volunteering every week at Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary. Currently majoring in Psychology with a concentration in Environmental Psychology, her innate curiosity behind our connection to, and impact on nature as a whole makes her a wonderful fit for this position. Janelle’s passion for the environment sparked at a young age by receiving a Natured-Based Education at a developmental preschool. Her early immersion in our natural world ignited a desire and dedication to caring for all things living- especially plants! Janelle’s tenacity and commitment to educating herself and others about the environment and our impact grows every day! When she’s not studying, you can find her reading, gardening, camping, and exploring the backroads of California with her dog.

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.

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.

Holland

Chris Holland Naturalist

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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

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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.

Evan Harford Naturalist

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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.

Desiree Romero Naturalist

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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.

Trevor Tovar-Smith Naturalist

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Trevor is an avid nature enthusiast with an M.S. in Geosciences and over a decade of experience in science education. His teaching experience ranges from kindergarten to college, where he has instructed courses in Earth Science, Environmental Science, and Physical Science. He has a passion for exploring the great outdoors, whether he’s hiking, rock climbing, backpacking, or searching for native wildflowers. Since the age of 5, Trevor has been camping all over the Midwest with his family, spending a great deal of time especially in the Eastern Sierras. He is deeply interested in insects, plants, and birds, and enjoys growing his own food, beekeeping, and restoring local native habitats. Trevor also loves spending time with his wife and their two dogs. Known for his inquisitive nature, Trevor is dedicated to fostering a love of science and nature in others.

Maya Kalle Naturalist

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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.

Julia Browne Naturalist

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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

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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

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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.

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

During the school year Ashley teaches elementary school at the Arbor Learning Community in Fullerton.  Her favorite subjects to teach are nature studies, forensics, and chess. She grew up climbing trees and running barefoot on her family’s small citrus orchard in San Diego. She believes in the importance of nature play for all children and loves the great outdoors. In her free time she plays board games, acts in musicals, and boogie boards at the beach with her 4 kids.

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

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