Explore Ecology and Whole Foods Market Beach Cleanup

Eva Juengling Bean

Environmental Educator

Rachel Palmer

Art Coordinator

Rachel is an artist and arts educator who loves to see people access their innate creativity and jump into the fun of making. ⁠

Rachel’s own creative practice centers around fiber arts and the magic of natural dye.

When she isn’t in her small dye garden or working on a project, she’s most likely on a hike, or at the beach with her dog Kiko.

Nicole Roehrig

Veronica Lee

Environmental Educator

Veronica grew up in San Diego and spent four years in San Luis Obispo studying Animal Science at Cal Poly. As an undergrad she learned lots about livestock, agriculture, and wildlife.

Veronica is very passionate about conservation and sustainable agricultural practices. She has spent many summers working in environmental education at various zoos and museums and loves introducing kids to the plants and animals that coexist with us.

In her free time, Veronica likes to sit at the beach and read, take dance classes, roller skate, and walk around fancy neighborhoods to look at the houses.

Lydia Ballantine

Environmental Education Coordinator

Lydia Ballantine grew up in New Hampshire, where she developed a love of nature playing in the woods and fields and going on outdoor trips with her school and summer camp. She moved to Colorado for college, and while there began working at an environmental education nonprofit.

After moving to Santa Barbara in 2019, she found her way back to environmental education and joined the Explore Ecology team first as an educator and then as a program coordinator.

In her free time Lydia enjoys surfing, rock climbing, and spending time with her dog, Scrappy Coco.

JENNY DAVIS

Director of Programs, People & Culture

Jenny joined Explore Ecology first as an Environmental Educator, then as a Program Coordinator,  and most recently moved into the newly created Programs, People & Culture position. Prior to Explore Ecology Jenny worked in science research and consulting, however her passion has always been science education and outreach. Jenny loves all things related to the ocean, especially free diving, and enjoying the beauty and wonder that is the underwater world. Her greatest life passion is traveling, which she hopes to do more of again soon.

Lu Kernstine

Environmental Educator

Lu’s love of all things Earth began at James Madison University in Virginia, where they got their Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Lu has a Master’s degree in Spatial Ecology- the study of how creatures interact across landscapes- from East Carolina University, where they studied rock pools along a river and the critters that dwell in them.

Lu is thrilled to be teaching budding scientists about the Earth and why it’s important for us to protect and preserve the environment. ⁠

When they aren’t teaching, Lu enjoys hiking, bike riding, laying in a hammock near the beach, and listening to one of their 20+ music playlists!

Paloma Hernandez