Upcycled T-shirt Bags with Sharon Nigh

Joey Scordato

Garden Educator

Joey is grateful to have grown up with an abundance of nature around him and is happiest in the water or in the sun. From a young age, Joey  felt a responsibility to take care of the Earth in return for all the ways she has taken care of him. This led Joey to pursue a degree in
Environmental Studies at UCSB where he furthered his knowledge of how different human societies have conceptualized and interacted with the natural world throughout history.

Joey believes that while it’s important we know the severity and multitude of ecological crises we face, too much doom and gloom leads to inaction and a lack of hope and that we are deceived into believing that humans are inherently “bad for nature” and further separated from the reality that we are ecological beings- as capable for creation as we are for destruction.

Joey thinks it’s crucial t0 focus on creative and direct solutions towards building a more sustainable future. He believes that one of the most important ways we can do this is by re-entering a reciprocal relationship with the Earth and in the garden this type of relationship is clear. The love and labor we put into the garden, the garden gives right back!

Luz Diaz

Garden Educator

Luz developed a strong sense of devotion for working with diverse populations after studying Sociology at UCSB. Her background in social work includes case management for various non-profits, experience with trauma informed care, and developing/teaching curriculum for school garden education & art resiliency.  Luz’s passion for nature, cooking, and social justice continue to lead her on a mission to improve the health, wellbeing and resilience of her community. Luz’s goal as a Garden Educator is to create a space for healing and community in the garden.

Scrappy

Explore Ecology Mascot

I love coming to work and getting pets from everyone. In my spare time, I like to sleep, eat, hike, and explore nature. Did I say eat and sleep?

Nicole Roehrig

Sarah Layer

Garden Educator

Coming soon!

Iliana Jacobo

Garden Educator

Coming soon!

Sadie Rushing

Garden Educator

Coming soon!

Angie Ouellette

Vermicompost Coordinator

Coming soon!

Bennett Rock

Greenhouse at La Colina

Coming soon!

Joey Lena

Store Associate

Coming soon!

Roxanne Hendrickson

Garden Educator

I’m very excited to be part of Explore Ecology’s Garden Education team. I really can’t think of anything I adore more than plants and kids (maybe pets.) My husband Jeff and I have been working in agriculture for decades now. It’s been very rewarding for us to continue to be active in our community and use our growing skills in new ways.

I’ve been in the Santa Barbara area my whole life and have no intention of leaving, ever.

I graduated from UCSB many many years ago with a degree in Spanish. I’m currently studying viticulture/agribusiness at Allan Hancock in Santa Maria because I love knowing as much as I can about agriculture in our area.

Thea Cole

Environmental Educator

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.

Paloma Hernandez

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.