Spider Catchers with Judy Nilsen

Emma Serr

Art From Scrap Sales Associate

Emma Serr is an artist and a student studying Studio Art at SBCC. Emma has a background in art and customer service, having worked as a camp counselor at sewing camp and assistant for sewing events and classes, and display manager and cashier in previous positions, and was recently a nanny to several young children. Emma first found us as a customer who loved what Art From Scrap represents!

Veronica Lee

Environmental Educator

Veronica grew up in San Diego and spent her last 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. Veronica 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, she likes to sit at the beach and read, take dance classes, roller skate, and walk around fancy neighborhoods to look at the houses.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Ian Docktor

Garden Educator

Chloe Bassuk

Garden Educator

Chloe grew up in nearby Ojai, CA, which helped shape my passion for living a green lifestyle and conserving wildlife. Chloe loves animals and has fostered puppies and kittens for the Ventura County Humane Society for years. She also enjoys thrifting and vintage clothing, playing guitar, and anything related to gardening. Chloe loves helping foster the connection between children and the natural world. 

Clare Carey

Garden Educator

Aimee Allen

Garden Educator

Bio- Coming Soon! 

Angie Ouellette

Vermicompost Coordinator (The Worm Lady)

Angie was born and raised in Santa Barbara. She studied Psychology at San Diego State and was a social worker in San Francisco for five years before she discovered her love of growing food. Angie learned how to grow vegetables with the Green Urban Lunch Box in Salt Lake City and then moved back to the Bay Area to start farming. ⁠Angie enjoys teaching students how to grow and harvest veggies, loves surfing with the leopard sharks at Devereux, and getting lost in the backcountry of Santa Ynez with her husband Chris and their little dog Lucy. Keep an eye out for Angie on the trails collecting seeds and smelling the sage. ⁠

Alyssa Kassner

Garden Education Coordinator

Alyssa Kassner was previously a Garden Educator at Explore Ecology, before transitioning to Fairview Gardens where she was the Education Program Manager.

Genevieve Schwanbeck

Garden Education Coordinator

Genevieve grew up in Carpinteria, CA where she spent many years building her tan, tough feet, and love of nature. She studied biological sciences at SBCC and UCSB, and graduated with a BS in Zoology. She spent quite a bit of time traveling and eventually found her husband in the rugged land of Wales. They have raised their two beautiful daughters in Carpinteria over the past 15 years. Genevieve got her first taste of teaching children about nature at her daughters’ preschool and hasn’t looked back since.

Genevieve started working as a Garden Educator in 2014 and became a Garden Coordinator four years later. Genevieve loves working for an organization that is so committed to helping children connect with nature and the food they eat.

Thea Cole

Environmental Educator

Thea Cole got involved with Explore Ecology because she believes it’s our duty to give the next generation the tools they need to best care for the world they’re inheriting. Thea also believes it’s every child’s right to enjoy nature and consider a career in natural science if it brings them joy. Thea studied Biology and Ecology in university and is especially passionate about topics relevant to ocean conservation.

Paloma Hernandez

Nicole Roehrig

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.