MEET THE WOLF SCHOOL STAFF
OUR TEAM
INNOVATIVE EDUCATORs, INSPIRING LEADERS
At WOLF School, we believe in learning by doing, and that positive role models have incredible impact on our youth. That’s why we take such great care in choosing, training, and supporting our staff. Our Program Directors and Naturalists hold college degrees and are professionals in environmental education, with backgrounds in science, history, community-building, education, and working with youth. They have a zeal for the outdoors that excites and engages our participants, encouraging every individual to connect and learn in nature. The experience and diverse backgrounds of our staff come together to create safe and dynamic educational programs that students will never forget.
This is Heather
Pronouns: she/her
Site: WOLF Office
Job Title: WOLF School Director
Favorite Animal: Salamanders and Dolphins
Bio: I love WOLF School! I have been lucky enough to live near the redwoods and work at WOLF School for 25 years now! I’ve met wonderful teachers and friends at WOLF and had so many great experiences helping kids and families connect with the Web of Life at outdoor science school and summer camps. From Camp Monte Toyon, to Camp Arroyo, to Camp SEA Lab, to Camp Loma Mar and all the other wonderful camps and parklands that WOLF visits--we explore the web of life, learn about science and nature, and make amazing memories with youth in the outdoors. Before WOLF, I worked as a naturalist teacher for two other Bay Area outdoor schools that I love. And before that I graduated from Stanford University with a double major in Human Biology and Comparative Lit. Originally from Redlands, CA, I still like to visit the desert and all my hot weather friends, flora, fauna, and family down there. I like my job a lot, and I also like spending time with my family, fishing, gardening, music, and hanging out with friends at the beach.
This is Equator
Pronouns: she/her, they/them
Site: Camp Monte Toyon
Job Title: Naturalist
Favorite Animal: Pandas, frogs, and cats
Bio: Hi! Im Equator! I’m from Santa Cruz and I love the outdoors! I hike, sing, play instruments, swim, read, and most importantly, EXPLORE! I chose the name Equator, because I am Central American. I love to find banana slugs and new funky fungi out in the forest. If you see me around, say hi! And I’m always down to sing a song.
This is Ozone
Pronouns: they/them
Site: Camp Arroyo
Job Title: Naturalist
Favorite Animal: Ball Python
Bio: Hiya!! My name's Ozone, and I'm originally from a small town in Tennessee! Teaching is my passion and I chose WOLF because of the connections I get to make with my groups hanging out in the woods all day. When I'm not teaching kids about nitrogen cycles or hiking a group up a small mountain you'll find me reading my fifth book of the month, putting new embroidery into my jacket, or cooking a giant meal for all my friends. I'm so happy to work here, and if you're coming to see me, I can't wait to meet you!
This is Lily
Pronouns: she/her
Site: Camp Loma Mar
Job Title: Program Director
Favorite Animal: Banana Slugs!
Bio: Lily has been working in education as a teacher and a leader for the last 10 years in the Bay Area and NYC. A California native, when not working at WOLF she loves to do theater and make music. She likes balancing her city life with huge doses of living and teaching in nature. She holds her MA and BA from UC Santa Cruz in art and education.
This is Eclipse
Pronouns: she/her, they/them
Site: Camp Monte Toyon
Job Title: Lead Naturalist
Favorite Animal: Seals and otters!
Bio: Hey everyone, I’m Eclipse! I’m originally from Los Angeles, but I moved to Santa Cruz in 2018 for college to study Sociology and Education and I’ve stuck around ever since. I didn’t have a whole lot of experience in nature as a kid due to growing up in the middle of a big city, but I fell in love with the redwood forest when I moved here. Now I’m dedicated to learning as much as I can about nature and sharing that newfound love with everyone I meet! At camp, you can find me hunting down cool fungi, getting silly during Campfire, and strumming my guitar for anyone who will listen. Outside of work, I love video games, Dungeons & Dragons, crocheting, hiking, reading, and singing! I can’t wait to explore the forest with all of you!
This is Zephyr
Pronouns: she/her, they/them
Site: Camp SEA Lab
Job Title: Lead Naturalist
Favorite Animal: Harbor seal
Bio: Brianna chose the nature name Zephyr, which means gentle breeze or western breeze, because it made her think of the calming feeling of the ocean breeze when you face the sea. Zephyr is originally from San Luis Obispo county, and is a graduate from UC Santa Cruz, where she studied environmental studies and psychology. She has always had a passion for marine biology and coastal environments, and is enjoying learning more about forest ecology as she teaches in different ecosystems. Zephyr loves teaching students about ways that plants and animals adapt to survive and thrive in their environments, and about how all living and non-living things in an environment rely on one another. In her free time, Zephyr loves exploring the incredible variety of beautiful natural areas around the Monterey Bay area, kayaking, and hiking, as well as reading, traveling, and enjoying good movies and live music.
This is Sergio Typhoon
Pronouns: he/him
Site: All, I go where the wind takes me. (Me voy donde el viento me trae)
Job Title: Program Coordinator
Power Animals: Rhino (land), Octopus (water), and Luck Dragon (air)
Bio: Originally from Southern CA, Typhoon earned both his Bachelor of Science in Ecology, Behavior and Evolution and a Master of Science in Biology from UC San Diego. His Masters work on honeybees was published in The Journal of Experimental Biology, and he learned to interpret their waggle dance, and can “speak bee.” He is also fluent in English and Spanish, and has held an array of educator positions, including San Diego Zoo tour guide, animal trainer and presenter at San Diego’s Safari Park, summer camp backpacking guide with Lawrence Hall of Science, interpreter for Big Basin Redwoods State Park, and tour guide for the Monte Verde Butterfly Garden in Costa Rica. Throughout his experiences, Typhoon began seeing educating our youth as the most impactful way to improve our environment and society, and started as a naturalist with WOLF School in 2010, before advancing to program director in 2011, and has been the program coordinator since 2012. He shares his positivity with all those around him. He also loves hiking, camping, biking, and swimming with his 10 year old daughter, and is looking forward to teaching her his other passions: kayaking, scuba diving, and backpacking.
This is Des, nature name Tumbleweed
Pronouns: she/her
Site: Admin/Office
Job Title: Associate Director
Favorite Animal: Elephants
Bio: I absolutely love being outdoors and exploring our natural world! I am so lucky to have found a home here at WOLF School and I look forward to bringing in new staff to this amazing community that we have created over the years!
This is Splash
Pronouns: she/her
Site: All of them!
Job Title: Education Director
Favorite Animal: Dolphin/Tern/Hummingbird/Bat/Turtle (Why choose?)
Bio: Hi everyone, Splash here! I've been working at WOLF since 2013, when I sailed into Santa Cruz and decided to find a land job teaching about nature. After that, I split my time between land and sea, having a fabulous time hiking and playing in the redwoods at WOLF and then spending my summers and winters sailing around the world on Tall Ships. Eventually, I decided to settle down and start a family, which has been my next big adventure. I love hiking, sailing, reading, writing, playing with my 2-year old, camping and dancing.
This is Puffin
Pronouns: she/her, they/them
Site: Camp Monte Toyon
Job Title: Program Director
Favorite Animal: Dinosaurs
Bio: Hey, I'm Puffin! (: I grew up in the Central Valley of California and moved to the Santa Cruz area in 2017 to attend UCSC–go Slugs! I'm a huge believer in growth mindset and lifelong discovery, and I learn with my students every day (like, did you know that owls' eyes are so huge, they have extra bones to hold them in place?! I learned that this week!) Some of my favorite things to do on trail are making river paint, hunting for fungi and banana slugs, nature tattoos, telling stories, and nature face paint! I've also been likin' the recent research on lichens, and can't wait to teach my next trail group all about them. If you see me around, tell me your favorite dad joke–I'm always looking for a laugh! I'll leave you with a quote from my hero:
"To leave the world better than you found it, sometimes you have to pick up other people's trash." -Bill Nye (the Science Guy)
This is Sparrowhawk
Pronouns: he/him, theythem
Site: Camp Monte Toyon
Job Title: Naturalist
Favorite Animal: Tiger
Bio: I grew up rambling through the wild mountains and thick forests around Bozeman, Montana, and exploring the imaginary worlds of books. This early life fostered a strong connection to the natural world and a deeply embedded sense of adventure. I've been following these threads ever since, and they led me to live in Santa Cruz while getting a degree in creative writing at UCSC, and then to spend the following 4 years living in Hanoi, Vietnam. While there I worked as an English teacher, college application consultant, copy writer, editor, voice actor, and fire performer. Becoming part of the off-road team for Namduro, a cross-country motorcycle adventure challenge, opened the world of guiding to me. After spending the Covid years guiding motorcycle tours in northern Vietnam, I returned to Santa Cruz, where the search for meaningful work in connection with nature led me to WOLF school, where I spent a year as a naturalist, and worked as program director for the summer nature day camp. I most recently spent the 2023-2024 academic year working as an instructor with Where There Be Dragons, guiding students on 3 month gap year semesters through Nepal. Now I'm happy to be back in Santa Cruz, and back at WOLF School! I experience the wilderness as a gift, a grace, a place of play and fierce demand. I engage with it through trekking, camping, surfing, snowboarding, dirt biking, and sitting in silent awe. I am always looking for someone to share in an adventure.
This is Slate
Pronouns: she/her
Site: Camp Monte Toyon
Job Title: Naturalist
Favorite Animal: Sunfish
Bio: Hi! I grew up in Santa Cruz, Ca and have moved back after graduating college. I majored in geology and natural sciences for my undergraduate studies and I love exploring the outdoors! Studying geology allowed me to learn about the mechanics of the earth and how it formed which has given me a big picture understanding of how the universe works. I chose the nature name slate because I think the rock slate is so cool and it can hold fossils in the thin metamorphic layers that it forms. I looove rocks and am so excited to work at WOLF and share my knowledge on local geology sites. Seeing large geological formations and explaining them to students is really fun and can give them a different perspective on how they see their environment. Being outdoors calms me and has been an important factor in what makes me happy. I am excited to share how nature can heal people and be comfortable when they are exploring.
This is Opal
Pronouns: she/her
Site: Camp Monte Toyon
Job Title: Naturalist
Favorite Animal: Gorillas
Bio: Hello, Opal here! I’m originally from Monterey County but spent the last few years living in Los Angeles. I recently graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development, and am super excited to be teaching kids about the beautiful outdoors each week! In my free time I enjoy swimming, hiking, and traveling. I’m also a kid at heart and love playing fun outdoor games. My favorite thing about nature is that it’s so peaceful and healing. I can’t wait for all of the fun adventures we’ll have together! 🤍
This is Navanax
Pronouns: He/Him
Site: Camp SEA Lab
Job Title: Naturalist
Favorite Animal: Octopus
Bio: Hi! I’m Alex, a naturalist at Camp Sea Lab. Before I worked here I was an underwater explorer instructor at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I am passionate about the ocean and teaching about it so that the next generation will help protect it. I am an underwater videographer on my spare time where I like to show the beauty of mother ocean.
This is Flare (and MJ the Mantis)
Pronouns: They/Them, She/Her
Site: Camp Arroyo
Job Title: Program Coordinator
Favorite Animal: Fox
Bio: Hiiii I’m Flare and I’m from Southern California. I love working for WOLF school because it allows me to share my passion for the outdoors with so many amazing people. I love hiking, backpacking and rock climbing. I chose my nature name because i love fire. I think it’s an amazing tool that many people fear but i think it’s something of beauty and creation. I love being in nature because it grounds me and reminds me how simple life can be and how at peace you can feel while being out in nature.
This is Glacier
Pronouns: She/Her
Site: Camp Monte Toyon
Job Title: Naturalist
Favorite Animal: Great White Shark
Bio: I grew up in Ben Lomond, CA! I attended WOLF and many other programs like it when I was growing up and they shaped me into who I am today. I’m so excited to be on the other side of that, helping to create those experiences for the next set of kids! When I’m not at work you can find me rock climbing, surfing, swimming, running, hiking, camping/backpacking.
This is Megalodon
Pronouns: she/her
Site: Camp SEA Lab
Job Title: Program Director
Favorite animal: Ochre Star
Bio: I have loved the ocean since I started scuba diving in high school. In college I studied marine science and began to dive more seriously in the cold waters of California. Since then I have become a PADI SCUBA instructor. I began working at WOLF so I could educate students on how amazing the California marine ecosystem is. My favor part of camp is kayaking! It is the first time for many students and I love when they get to see marine mammals in the slough.
This is Anemone
Pronouns: she/her
Site: Camp Sea Lab
Job Title: Program Coordinator
Favorite Animal: Crazy campers
Bio: I feel like I've got the dream job, it could do with a little less sand but that's about it. I came to Camp SEA Lab after studying Marine Science at Cal State Monterey Bay. I started as a naturalist in the spring of 2016, and decided I was going to stay put. Now, I love seeing the kids have new and exciting experiences, supporting our staff and program, working with teachers to plan their most anticipated trip of the year, and more! When I am not surfing, snorkeling, tidepooling, or at the beach with Camp SEA Lab, I might still be surfing, snorkeling, tidepooling or at the beach. I also enjoy cooking, reading and hiking. I hope to see some of you at camp!
This is Ctenophore
Pronouns: she/her
Site: Camp Sea Lab
Favorite animal: Ctenophores (Comb Jellies)
Job Title: Program Director/Wolf School Admin Assistant/Naturalist
Bio: I am from Pennsylvania and obtained a Marine Science Degree from Kutztown University. I have been working with Camp SEA Lab since 2019. Working here gives me the opportunity to meet students from all backgrounds and teach them about the marine environment. I love working a camp because it helps me to engage and grow the next generation of environmental stewards. When I am not on the beach teaching students about the ocean, I enjoy going scuba diving and whitewater kayaking. My favorite thing about the marine environment is getting to explore it!
Name: Seal
Pronouns: she/her
Site: Monte Toyon
Job Title: Naturalist
Favorite Animal: Harbor seal. I swim with them in the ocean!
Bio: I have lived in Santa Cruz almost as long as the redwoods(well, almost)! I chose to work at WOLF because it is FUN. I love being outside in nature and playing with kids. And I believe in passing on WOLF's important message of respecting our planet and one another. At camp, some of my favorites are silly campfire songs like "Scat" and "Gusano", watching kids connect with nature and make new discoveries on trail, and playing great forest games like "camouflage" and "jays and juncos". When not at camp, look for me swimming or surfing in the ocean, riding a bike, hiking in the Sierras, strumming a uke, or gardening. Or possibly throwing a ball for my family's dog, Grover.
This is Abalone
Pronouns: she/her
Site: Naturalist
Favorite Animal: Blue whale
Bio: Hi everyone! My name is Abalone. I am originally from Santa Rosa, California, but I moved to Santa Cruz about four years ago to attend UC Santa Cruz. This year, I graduated with a degree in Marine Biology. I chose to work at Camp Sea Lab because I wanted to share my passion and knowledge of the ocean with others, as well as teach future generations that science is fun! Eventually, I want to go to graduate school to study whale behavior changes with a changing climate. One of my favorite activities at camp is kayaking, which is also one of my favorite hobbies. I love exploring the ocean every chance I get! Besides that, I like to spend my time climbing, going thrifting, reading, and spending time with my friends. I look forward to meeting all of our campers this year at Camp Sea Lab!
This is Isla
Pronouns: she/her
Site: Camp Sea Lab / Monte Toyon
Favorite Animal: Turtles
Bio: I am from Watsonville California and I feel so lucky to have grown up so close to the ocean. I chose to be a naturalist to spread my love and passion for nature. My nature name means Island in Spanish because I love traveling and exploring different islands and being surrounded by the ocean. I love traveling, kayaking, hiking and spending time with my family. My favorite part about camp is seeing the campers get excited about the different activities we get to do, especially when it’s their first time!
Name: Raven
Pronouns: she/her
Site: Camp Monte Toyon
Job Title: Naturalist
Favorite Animal: Whichever one she’s learning about right now!
Bio: I grew up on the San Francisco peninsula, running around beneath the oaks and catching bugs. Later, I studied environmental science at Stanford, then ecology at the University of Vermont. I love exploring the outdoors, finding edible plants, and sharing the awesomeness of nature with students and learners of all ages! At WOLF School, there’s always more to be curious about.
Name: Shark Bait
Pronouns: she/her
Site: Camp SEA Lab
Job Title: Naturalist
Favorite Animal: Humpback Whales
Bio: I grew up in Monterey County and was fortunate to be surrounded by some of the most beautiful beaches. I fell in love with nature and wanted a career that involved being in it. I completed my undergraduate degree at CSUMB. I enjoyed research and continued studying Fish ecology at CSUN. I have been fortunate to have found a career that I enjoy doing every day. I now have the opportunity to teach our youth to respect and protect our oceans. I enjoy hiking, swimming, SCUBA diving and being with my family.
This is Beast
Pronouns: he/him
Site: Camp Arroyo
Job Title: Site Director
Bio: I'm from Nehalem, a small town on the OR coast, and grew up in the outdoors. I worked with the BSA and Oregon outdoor school programs for many years before moving to Camp Arroyo. I really love the incredible opportunity outdoor school and camping provides to students to experience new things and find their place in their community. As much as I enjoy teaching, there's nothing quite like singing around a campfire, and board or card games with campers and staff is one of my favorite things to do when we're indoors. I like to wind down at the end of a week by either cooking or doing some woodworking on the porch of my yurt at Arroyo. My favorite color is either grey or purple, and my nature name was inspired by both the X-Men and Beauty and the Beast.
This is Scorpion
Pronouns: she/her
Site: Camp Monte Toyon
Job Title: Counselor In Training
Favorite Animal: Horse, dog, cat, axolotl
Bio: Hi I’m scorpion! I was lucky enough to be raised at Monte Toyon no one knows the trails as good as me. if you’re lucky you might get a glimpse me with my dad Typhoon I might join you at some cat camp activities or you just might see me around helping my dad.
