Our Educators

The best in their field

Our staff of highly skilled field educators is key to the success of NatureBridge. Equipped with a wealth of experience, education, and training, our educators change lives by creating dynamic programs that foster connections in the Channel Islands.

Who are they?

Our field science educators have years of teaching experience in outdoor and environmental education programs and a contagious enthusiasm for exploring the natural world.

All of our educators have:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher
• Wilderness First Responder certification
• Passion about teaching, youth, and the environment

Many of our educators:

• Have traveled or lived abroad, sometimes volunteering for organizations or studying foreign languages
• Have worked as national park rangers or as certified classroom teachers
• Currently serve as educators, musicians, photographers, philosophers, poets, birders, artists, athletes, and more

Educator Spotlight - Anjanette Garcia 

"Whales diving, Island Foxes playing, and Dudlieas blooming are all just another day at the office for me as an educator for NatureBridge.  I love where I work and am fortunate I get to teach, inspire, and guide others on a journey in this beautiful place called the Channel Islands." - Anjanette Garcia

Anjanette brings a strong passion for teaching and exploring the world.  A Los Angeles native, she graduated from Whittier College with a bachelor's degree in English and Art, and has since spent her time guiding, teaching, and volunteering in various regions of the world with extensive travel in Greece, Mexico, and Costa Rica. She gained her outdoor experience facilitating adventure programs in upstate New York for innercity kids, where she also led camping trips for teens with special needs.  Her last summer was spent guiding backcountry expeditions for teen girls in northern Wisconsin and Minnesota.  Her free time is spent running, drawing, swimming, and cooking delicious meals outdoors.

“I have been bringing my students to NatureBridge’s environmental education programs since 2000, I have 24-year-olds who still talk about their experiences of walking through the Hoh Rainforest, of journaling while gazing at El Capitan, or most recently, of kayaking through ancient sea caves in the Channel Islands. It’s an invaluable and irreplaceable experience.” — Allwyn Fitzpatrick, Erdkinder Adolescent Program Directress, Santa Barbara Monessori School

“Without a doubt, [NatureBridge’s] teaching staff is central to the success of field science programs. They are a principal motivation behind participating teachers’ decisions to attend. Their content knowledge, passion, and creativity in working with children are outstanding.” — 2000 Stanford Evaluation, Final Report