Abi joined the CEC in the spring of 2024 as one of our seasonal educators, and was quickly welcomed into the year-round team. From prior experience working at a botanical garden with preschoolers, to interning at a Waldorf school, they are passionate about connecting children to nature. They graduated from Oregon State University in the spring of 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, with an option in Therapeutic Horticulture. They use their education and experience to address food insecurity and connect children with their local food systems. Abi grew up in California and Oregon, spending lots of time outside swimming, hiking, and exploring. They enjoy wildcrafting, playing roller derby, gardening, and creative pursuits.

Originally from Mendoza, Argentina, Aldana holds a degree in Tourism and Hospitality. She came to the United States as an Au Pair, spending two years with a family and caring for their beautiful children. This experience deepened her love for working with kids, which eventually led her to join the Corvallis Environmental Center.

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She is passionate about fostering an appreciation for the environment and loves seeing children learn the importance of play and environmental stewardship each day. Outside of work, Aldana enjoys spending time with her family and friends, participating in outdoor activities, and cooking. The beach is her favorite place to relax and unwind. She is a native Spanish speaker and speaks some Portuguese.

Bella is a current Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences student at Oregon State University. She has a background in wildlife rehabilitation, which allowed her to work with the Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center on the San Juan Island of Washington. There, she worked with harbor seals, squirrels, bunnies, and birds including raptors! Bella would love to continue her education in wildlife rehabilitation and teaching. In her spare time, she loves to get outdoors and goes fishing as often as she can. She also loves to cook and bake. Music is also a big part of her life, especially country, folk, and alternative.

Chelsie joined the CEC as an intern at SAGE in the Fall of 2023 and quickly became interested in the other programs the CEC has to offer. Chelsie is now a Nature Educator with the CEC. Chelsie is originally from Denver, Colorado and came to Corvallis for school. She will be graduating from Oregon State this fall with a Bachelors of Science in Nutrition and Foodsystems. Opportunities at the CEC have allowed Chelsie to pursue her passions in both Nutrition and the Environment. She is looking forward to using this opportunity to connect children with the food system and addressing food insecurity within the community. Outside of the CEC Chelsie enjoys hiking, skiing, and camping. 

Daney grew up in Ashland, Oregon. She has always had a love of wildflowers, and made pollinators a focus for her Associate’s degree in Sustainable Community development. She went on to attend the University of Oregon, where she studied the sociology of the global environment. She is excited to collaborate with all departments of CEC, and contribute to a more sustainable future. With a never-ending appreciation for all things Pacific Northwest, she
spends her free time hiking, foraging, and rockhounding.

Diane brings a passion for connecting people and place to her role as the Executive Director of CEC. She has spent her career working in nonprofits with educational missions primarily in Western Washington and most recently in Alaska. She grew up in Oregon and Washington and is excited to return to the area to be part of such a vibrant and caring community. Diane has a degree in Wildlife Science and completed mid-career graduate work gaining a Masters Degree in Nonprofit Leadership and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. She is also a fiber artist and enjoys spending time outside exploring and gaining inspiration for her work.

Lizard found her calling at the CEC after relocating to Corvallis from her hometown near Chicago, IL. With degrees in Marine Science and Spanish (habla un poco de Español) from Eckerd College, she seamlessly blends her passions for environmental stewardship and cultural exchange. Her formative experiences include an internship with the Florida Aquarium's Education Department and a transformative year teaching English to primary school children in Spain. Infused with a child-like wonder, Lizard inspires both colleagues and community members alike. Her knack for connecting with people, coupled with her love for animals, has made her a cherished member of the CEC team since she started working there in June of 2021. Beyond her professional pursuits, Lizard can be found immersed in the great outdoors, channeling her creativity into art or jamming to her favorite tunes.

Evelia joined the CEC in 2022 upon returning to Oregon from seasonal work in national parks. She combines the knowledge gained through her Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies from Portland State University with her extensive experience working with children, including her role as an environmental education camp director in the Portland area. With a passion for merging art and science, she infuses creativity into curriculum development, inspiring children through interdisciplinary learning. Evelia is dedicated to fostering compassionate and inclusive learning environments and supporting children's self-confidence and mental health through environmental education programs. In her spare time, she enjoys creating art, hiking, and reading. Habla un poco de Español.

Evelyn joined our education team in the spring of 2024. She holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology and is currently enrolled at Oregon State University pursuing a master's degree in Mental Health Counseling. She has volunteered with the Corvallis School district for many years while her three children attended school in the district. Evelyn was drawn to the CEC because she values the importance of play and discovery for children of all ages and backgrounds. A native Spanish speaker, she moved to Oregon from Costa Rica as a teenager. Evelyn is an avid ultramarathon runner who also loves swimming, backpacking and visiting national parks with her family.

Isabel joined us in the summer of 2022 as an intern, she quickly became a part of our education team with her positive attitude and natural ability to work with kids. Isabel grew up in Woodburn and graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in public health. She is a native Spanish speaker who thrives in her role at our Exploradores de la Naturaleza preschool. Outside of the CEC, she spends a lot of time with her family, and channels her passion for serving the community into her work as a caregiver and direct support professional.

Karen started working for the CEC in the fall of 2021. Karen holds a degree in Forest and Wildlife Management from the University of New Brunswick. This program strengthened Karen's love and understanding of the natural world. Karen has worked on several wildlife research projects, leading an education campaign to conserve the Acadian Forests of Eastern Canada, and developing the Forest Discovery Program for the OSU Research Forest. She enjoys biking, gardening, music, and working with youth. She loves that her role with the CEC allows her to incorporate all of these elements to engage, educate, and inspire people to build healthy and sustainable communities. 

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karen@corvallisenvironmentalcenter.org

Katelyn joined the CEC as an intern at SAGE in the spring 2023, quickly becoming a valued member of our education team due to her infectious enthusiasm and positive attitude. She studied environmental science at Linn Benton Community College, driven by a passion for the outdoors and curiosity about the world’s interconnected systems. She has discovered a passion for nurturing children’s growth through nature-based learning and has enjoyed learning about sustainable agriculture and nutrition through working in our Farm to School programs. In her free time, she enjoys going on nature walks, thrifting, gardening, and learning new things.

Karin joined the CEC in 2022 with over 30 years of experience working with young children, families and staff in the field of early childhood education. She worked most of her career in a Head Start Program in a variety of roles including Center Director, Home Visitor, Education Specialist, and Director of Child Development. More recently, Karin worked in a nonprofit program as an Education Supervisor and Assistant Director. In her years of working in this field, she has developed a professional philosophy that centers around respectful care of children and child-led learning that begins with play and exploration. Her role as Preschool Coordinator has reinforced the idea that children need nature in their lives. She has seen firsthand how children develop skills and positive approaches to learning while spending time in nature each day. Outside of work, Karin loves to read, write, and explore the natural world around her.

Liliah holds a bachelor's degree in Environmental and Sustainability Studies, with a particular emphasis on environmental education and conservation. Hailing from Flagstaff, Arizona, she has a deep connection to the mountains and ponderosa pine forests that shaped her love for the natural world. Throughout her career, she has worked on a range of ecological and wildlife conservation projects, including humane efforts to eliminate invasive species in the Galapagos and analyzing legislation to protect endangered species.

Her passion for nature education took root in Denver, Colorado, where she volunteered at a nature play preschool, igniting her desire to help children build meaningful connections with the environment.

When she's not working, Liliah loves spending time outdoors. She’s an avid hiker, a devoted reader, and enjoys baking sourdough and creating art. Always on the lookout for new hiking trails and places to spot newts, she’s constantly seeking ways to explore and engage with the natural world around her.

Liz started with the CEC in 2019 as a Bilingual Educator and began her role managing SAGE shortly there after.  With a background in nature and garden education, natural resource collaborative management and food systems non-profit work, Liz thrives at SAGE and overseeing the Farm to School program.  She has a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Hanover College, IN and a Masters in Natural Resources from OSU with a graduate certificate in Water Conflict Management and Transformation.  She finds great value in getting local nutritious produce into the schools and to those in need in our community.  She brings to the CEC a passion for partnerships and collaboration and a deep desire to improve our community food system.  Se habla español; she learned Spanish as an Environmental Community Management Peace Corps Volunteer in Peru.  In her free time she enjoys tending her backyard flock of chickens, growing and preserving the garden bounty, and outdoor adventures (from skiing to biking to riverplay to hiking) with her kids.

Malia graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in environmental science with a specialization in ecosystem restoration. During college she was involved with OSU's student farm and also recently spent a couple years working on a small organic vegetable farm in the Willamette Valley. As she gained more experience with farming and selling produce she noticed the disconnect between people and their food systems and developed a passion for bridging that gap.  The CEC offers her the ability to directly pursue the causes that she feels passionately about, like connecting people (especially kids) with their food to tackle issues of food insecurity and environmental apathy. She feels like she's able to make a difference in our community!  In her free time she enjoys any and all crafts: knitting, crocheting, embroidery, sewing, spinning yarn; she also makes digital art and stickers!

Zoë is the CEC’s first-ever Community Agricultural Technician.  She joined us just in time to spruce up SAGE this spring (2024). Zoë grew up in the Willamette Valley but was never introduced to the local agricultural landscape and community food systems until she joined Rogue Farm Corps in 2021. Drawn to the challenge of farming, this position equipped her with the necessary tools to shape and advance the practice. She is thrilled by the CEC’s commitment to more equitable and resilient futures and is excited to share the food we grow with our community. When she’s not farming or gardening, Zoë can be found cooking and creating art with her homegrown produce, imagining more equitable futures, or surfing. Come volunteer at SAGE!