Meet the Winners of the Explore Ecology Environmental Stewardship Awards
Explore Ecology is proud to announce the recipients of the 2023 Explore Ecology Environmental Stewardship Awards.
The awards recognize teachers, students, and classes or clubs who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and dedication to environmental stewardship. The 2023 award winners were nominated by community members who believe that these unsung heroes should be recognized for their efforts to create a more sustainable and healthy world.
The winners of the 2023 Explore Ecology Environmental Stewardship Awards are:
- Theo Horne, Student Award
- Melissa Wilder, Teacher Award
- The Green Team at Coastline Christian Academy, Class and Club Award
- Maureen Granger, School Support Staff Award
The public is invited to cheer these eco heroes on at an awards ceremony at the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival on Sunday, April 30th at 1:00 pm onstage in the Kid’s Corner. At 2:00 pm, they will join CEC’s Environmental Heroes on the Main Stage where they will be recognized again.
Here are the winners of the 2023 Environmental Stewardship Awards:
Theo Horne: Energetic, enthusiastic, dedicated- these are some of the words used to describe Theo Horne, our Student Award winner. Theo is an 8th grader at La Colina Junior High. When he’s not in class, you’ll probably find him in the school garden. For the past two years, Theo’s given up his lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and after school one day a week, to work in the garden.
According to Explore Ecology Garden Educator Bennett Rock, “Theo is well qualified for the title of environmental steward. He’s the official president of the garden club, shows up consistently, and has a deep understanding of our composting program.”
Theo says, “I find it peaceful and relaxing to help out and make the space better for everyone. I hope that as I work on the garden, other people can find the space as calming as I do, and I can help them find the same passion in nature that I have.”
(Melissa Wilson Wilder, Winner of the Teacher Award)
Melissa Wilson Wilder: The 2023 Teacher Award goes to Melissa Wilson Wilder who teaches Math, Science, and Environmental Electives to 6th to 8th graders at the Riviera Ridge School. Melissa is having a profound impact on her students, one of whom wrote on their nomination form, “My life and love for the environment have changed forever because of Mrs. Wilder. She has taught me to think critically and creatively. She is my hero and role model for teaching me to take an active role in how I may have an impact on the world. Mrs. Wilder has been my teacher since 6th grade and has introduced me and my classmates to biodiversity, ecology and land stewardship. She has developed educational programs like Stay Wild to share her love of the environment and how biodiversity has a direct effect on the climate crisis and sustainability for all living creatures.”
Melissa is the Director of Innovation at the Riviera Ridge School and is an ecologist and educator with over 20 years of teaching experience in higher education and K-12 education. Her research focuses on saving wildlands and rewilding Homo sapiens to build a sustainable future. She holds a master of liberal arts from Harvard University’s Extension School, a master’s of science in environmental education, a North Carolina teaching certificate in middle grades science, and a master’s certificate in natural resource management. She has created a mini-documentary, “Stay Wild,” that won Best Documentary Short at the Colorado Environmental Film Festival and the Rocky Mountain Film Festival.
Maureen Granger: Maureen is the winner of the School Support Staff award. Maureen is a Multi-Tiered System of Support Teacher on Special Assignment at La Colina Junior High and was described in her nomination as “thorough, productive, and extremely supportive of the school garden at La Colina.”
Maureen says “The school garden is a place where students can learn important social skills. The emotional health aspect of the garden cannot be overstated. School gardens have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, which many of our students are experiencing at greater levels post-pandemic. The garden is a place where I can breathe, notice change, and be present in the moment. It is also extremely satisfying to harvest fruit and vegetables that we use to nourish our La Colina community through farmers markets and lunchtime tastings. I am grateful to the SBUSD, and especially to our school leadership team, for allowing me the time that was required to transform this dusty, dry, dead zone into the lush and verdant place that it is today. Finally, I could not have done this without the support of our Explore Ecology garden educator, Bennett Rock, as well as our dedicated parent volunteer, Kristy Manning.”
The Green Team: The winner of the Class/Club Award is the Green Team at Coastline Christian Academy. Started by 8th grade student Isaac Yishak and staffed by teacher Annie Villa, the Green Team members are: Isaac Yishak, Micah Villa, Cruz Eliason, Gian Jegottka, and Simon Bilak-George. Also known as the Environmental Advocacy Enhancement class, the Green Team works on creating a more environmentally conscious school community and explores how advocacy can be significant on a larger scale.
Annie Villa says, “Part of the class was intended to inspire students to feel empowered in making a difference in our societal norms. Individuals with a focused passion for the greater good have a valuable voice and can create a platform to be heard! We explore creating policy change and impacting larger spheres of influence. Some of our initiatives include proper education and implementation of recycling procedures, encouraging the reduction of single use plastics on a large scale, and incentivizing composting efforts. The Green Team hopes to change the habits of students and their families in order to protect the environment and inspire others toward environmental stewardship.”
We are proud to recognize these amazing teachers and students who are making a difference in our community. Their dedication, inspiration, and care for nature is creating a greener and more resilient Santa Barbara. We thank them for all of their hard work at schools, in gardens, and beyond!
Eva grew up in Berkeley, CA and is a recent graduate of UCSB, where she studied Aquatic Biology and German Language. During her undergrad, Eva worked as an aquarist at UCSB’s Research Experience and Education Facility (the REEF), where she managed the aquarium facility and found a love for science communication and conservation.
Phillip is a recent Westmont College graduate and a proud member of the inaugural class of Environmental Studies students from Westmont. Phillip is excited to be on the Explore Ecology teaching team because he loves to inspire others about nature as his mentors have done for him. 
Ellie Cotter is a recent graduate of UCSB who studied Environmental Studies with a minor in Philosophy. Ellie learned the importance of community based action, spending her years interning and volunteering for local groups, such as Coal Oil Point Reserve and North Campus Open Space. 
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.
Rachel Palmer
Alyssa grew up on Long Island, New York and spent a lot of her childhood and early adulthood exploring the mountains, meadows, and beaches throughout the East Coast. These formative experiences in nature, along with impactful mentors and coursework in undergraduate and graduate school, inspired her to pursue a career connecting youth with the natural world. From the deciduous forests of New England to the shores of the Big Island of Hawaii, Alyssa has spent over 10 years working with youth of all ages on urban and rural farms, in school gardens, and in beautiful, wild places. Alyssa is passionate about facilitating meaningful experiences for youth that deepen their connections to self, community, and the land and she believes that school gardens are the perfect place to do this. 
Nicole is a mixed media artist and vintage goods specialist who has been managing Art from Scrap since 2020.
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.
I love coming to work and getting pets from everyone.
Ian Docktor
Emma Serr is an artist and student studying Studio Art at SBCC.
Lydia
Iliana Jacobo is a Garden Educator at three different school sites. Iliana has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in Sustainability and Social Justice and a minor in Ethnic Studies from San Francisco State University.
Lindsay Johnson
MELISSA BROOKS
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’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.
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. 
Sarah is very passionate about being involved in the outdoors, as well as expressing creativity. She grew up in the Bay Area learning to garden with her mother and going hiking, camping, and backpacking with her family regularly. While gardening with her mother, she grew a deep connection with the processes of ecosystems and food production, so Sarah believes it can be incredibly beneficial for kids to get hands-on experience in nature. 
Sadie
Clare
Chloe grew up in nearby Ojai, CA, which helped shape her passion for living a green lifestyle and conserving wildlife. 
Aimee moved to Santa Barbara from Asheville, North Carolina. She grew up visiting her Grandma in Ojai and wanted to take the opportunity to be closer to her. By lucky accident, she has also found that she is in love with beautiful Santa Barbara! Aimee’s background prior to her Garden Educator position was in Animal Agriculture and she had a layman’s interest in keeping a garden. The Central Coast is a completely different ball game as far as growing produce and she has greatly enjoyed the challenge, as well as taking every opportunity to grow and learn with her students. She loves giving students opportunities to grow lots of food that is delicious right off the plant, as well as learning about the entire ecosystem of their school gardens. She hopes her teaching feels student-led and informed. 
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. 
