2026 program Instructors

Sam Nelson is the youth programs forester for Casey Trees, aka an educational arborist. He was an elementary school teacher for years before turning toward urban forestry. He currently designs and implements tree plans at schools in the capital region but more importantly gets students and teachers involved to help build and sustain their relationships with trees, plants, and local ecologies. In addition, he’s passionate about fusing the arts with life sciences. He is a Master Naturalist ’20 and earned his master’s from University of Utah’s Environmental Humanities graduate program. But mostly he learns from plants themselves.

Serenella Linares is the Puerto Rican Facility Director in charge of managing Mount Rainier Nature Center (MRNC). She is dedicated to sparking curiosity about nature and inspiring nature stewardship through high-quality environmental education experiences for people of all ages. In her role as Facility Director at MRNC she has organized programs and special events to bring the community of Mount Rainier back to the Nature Center after the pandemic with in-person events and online workshops. Ms. Linares is also spearheading restoration efforts to increase the natural areas in the property, attract a wider variety of wildlife, create natural areas that better the resident’s sense of wellbeing, and to demonstrate sustainability practices to the local community. Serenella is known around the greater DC area for being expert in two things: making learning fun (for children and adults) and mycology (mushroom knowledge). With her program “Ask a Fun-Gal” she established a collaboration between Mount Rainier Nature Center and the Mycological Association of Washington DC to bring the DNA research experiments to the center and open the door for the public to know more about mycology. She also received the Environmental Educator award from Nature Forward in January 2024, for her endless innovation and dedication to environmental education to spark a love of nature in people of all ages and backgrounds. As former Director of Adult Education at Nature Forward (formerly known as Audubon Naturalist Society) and former Co-founding Co-Chair of Naturally Latinos, Serenella Linares worked with Nature forward since 2015 and was promoted to Adult Education Director on 2021. Through the Naturalist Hour, Natural History Field Studies, and Master Naturalist programs, Serenella used the virtual world as an introductory door into the fascinating aspects of nature and a catalyst for people to get inspired to learn more. Through her nature walks and master naturalist trainings, Ms. Linares encouraged her participants to be curious about nature and to incorporate different perspectives into their learning process. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Linares developed a virtual programs and bilingual videos as educational tools for both English and Spanish speakers. Serenella was a crucial component to the shift from strictly in-person programing to the safer on-line interactions that have now expanded the audiences able to participate in the programs, as well as during the Naturally Latinos Conference and post-conference programming. Her previous work at Nature Forward includes collaborating with schools to deliver curriculum-based and NGSS aligned environmental education programs, establishing fieldtrip scholarships for title one schools and Spanish speaking children, and teaching nature-themed summer camps. Prior to joining Nature Forward, Ms. Linares worked as a Park Naturalist with the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation from 2011-2016 at Mount Rainier Nature and Recreation Center. Serenella holds a Bachelor’s degree in biology from Universidad Metropolitana de Puerto Rico, a Master’s degree in atmospheric science from Howard University, and 7 years of training in mycology from University of Maryland. Ms. Linares time outside of work is invested towards being an active member of the DNA research committee for the Mycological Association of Washington DC, exploring natural areas, nature photography, and participating in community (citizen) science projects.

My name is Grace Camarata and I work at the Anacostia Watershed Society. Most days, you will find me out in the field, collecting data/completing surveys on freshwater mussels, sponges, wild rice, trees, water quality, and vernal pool habitats. I worked at two mussel hatcheries propagating and culturing 15+ mussel species. 

Education: B.S. Environmental Science and Sustainability from Allegheny College, Meadville, PA with a focus on freshwater ecology

Kathy Sykes began gardening seriously as she approached the end of her professional career in government. She is inspired by her mother, a gifted gardener who instilled in her a love of nature.

In 2019, she became a Master Gardener by completing the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) Master Gardening program. A few years later, she completed the UDC Master Naturalist program. Currently, she is working on the Pollinator Stewardship program through the Pollinator Partnership organization.

She is a regular volunteer at Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Garden, and Tudor Place, and as a Weed Warrior, leading volunteer stewards in the removal of invasive trees, shrubs, and vines on a weekly basis in Rock Creek Park. Kathy also teaches classes at Politics and Prose bookstore and gives lectures to local garden clubs and to children in summer school programs.

One of her greatest pleasures is developing and maintaining a pollinator corridor in her neighborhood along Connecticut Avenue. Transforming the tree boxes in front of businesses, the Franklin Montessori School and Forest Hills Senior Living, an area that stretches more than a mile between Nebraska Avenue and Van Ness, supports and promotes pollinators from insects to butterflies and moths to birds.

Prior to gardening for pleasure, Kathy worked for a Congressional Committee, a Member of Congress, the CDC and for almost two decades at the United States Environmental Protection Agency as the Senior Advisor for Aging and Sustainability in Washington DC. 

Ana Leilani Ka’ahanui is co-founder of the DC metro area nonprofit Capital Nature. Her organization’s mission is to connect the people and visitors of the DC area to the abundance of nature in the region. She is a forest bathing guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs and is devoted to sharing the practice, needed now more than ever. Ana is also a Virginia Master Naturalist and committed to connecting people to nature through citizen science and other biodiversity initiatives such as the global City Nature Challenge. She enjoys engaging others in citizen science by leading nature walks and teaching about the app iNaturalist.

Stella Tarnay is co-founder and executive director of Capital Nature. In her role she leads Capital Nature's engagement efforts with local communities, and co-creates programs with Ana. Capital Nature is a DC-area non-profit with a mission to bring nature into metro area residents' lives. We conduct nature walks and nature immersion experiences, lead citizen science explorations, and host virtual programs on local nature. Capital Nature is a lead organizer of the annual City Nature Challenge, and a facilitator of the Washington DC Area Citizen Science Network. Prior toCapital Nature, Stella was a convener of the Biophilic DC civic initiative, and a green building policymaker. When she is not working on nature engagement, Stella is an art lover, and an explorer of Rock Creek Park. Stella is a graduate of the Arlington Regional Master Naturalists program.

Sara Dollen is a wildlife rehabilitator at City Wildlife, the first and only wildlife rehabilitation resource in Washington, DC. Here, she helps provide veterinary-led care to almost 2,000 sick, injured, orphaned, or displaced wildlife patients annually. Her academic background in Animal Behavior and five years of rehabilitation experience offer a unique perspective on how behavior informs human-wildlife interactions and every step of the rehabilitation process. Sara is also passionate about wildlife education, which she enjoys providing through City Wildlife and as a Maryland Master Naturalist. In her free time, she can often be found in nature observing arthropods, her favorite group of animals.

William von Herff is a scientist-turned-science writer and lifelong birder. With a background in field science and environmental journalism, he currently works as a clean energy advocate at the nonprofit Greenlight America. He can regularly be seen birding around the DMV, either solo, with friends, or leading trips for the DC Bird Alliance. When asked what his favorite bird is, he honestly answers Canada Goose.