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1st Grade Team
1st Grade Team
In 2024, Lakia was an undergraduate at the University of Oregon, majoring in psychology and minoring in global health. Being a part of the Wild Wanderers team allowed her to reach students in the community and help to foster stronger connections with the natural world. Through the Environmental Leadership Program she was able to expand on her structural foundation of environmental education and learn plant identification along the way.
In 2024, Grace DeBlase was a junior at University of Oregon, majoring in environmental studies. Grace had prior experience teaching children as a kid cheerleading camp leader and volunteering in her mom’s kindergarten classroom. Grace was excited to share her knowledge with children about how to immerse themselves in nature. She aspires to give back to her community by helping children find a sense of belonging and passion for the outdoors.
Lydia was a third year in the Wild Wanderers team at the University of Oregon and graduated in the fall of 2024. She’s had the pleasure of working with young students for many years through outdoor summer camps, childcare, and dance instruction. Through Wild Wanderers, she has had the pleasure of creating an environment that inspires children to pursue their lifelong bond with the natural world.
McKenna was excited to work with Wild Wanderers to share with members of the future generation the joy and belonging she experienced by connecting with nature at a young age. McKenna has worked with children teaching dance classes, which showed her the value of allowing kids to be creative and have fun, which McKenna looked forward to doing with Wild Wanderers.
Maddie graduated in 2024 with a degree in environmental studies. She joined the Wild Wanderers team because of her passion about environmental justice, environmental education, and encouraging children to foster a connection with the world around them. Maddie has experience working with students as a camp counselor and as an intern at the FOOD for Lane County Youth Farm, and looks forward to continuing this work.
2nd Grade Team
2nd Grade Team
Zach was excited to gain experience in education since he enjoys teaching others. He also hoped that his skills and knowledge about ecology, geology, and GIS would be useful to the team. As a double major in earth science and environmental science he also hoped to get students excited about not only the plants and animals around them but the soil and rocks too.
Maya's favorite part about ELP was leading field trips with second graders and watching as they discovery scientific concepts out in nature. Maya has a background in art education and loves to blend art with nature-based learning. Through ELP's interdisciplinary lessons, she hopes that her students can begin creating meaningful relationships with the outdoors.
Tiana's passion for environmental education stems from her belief in the power of nurture as a mode to bring nature back into human relationships. As a psychology and environmental studies major she brings an interdiciplinary perspective to ELP, promoting activities that enhance cognitive function and stress recovery, such as sit spots. As a native of Eugene, OR, she's thrilled to draw from her own experiences in the park to shape engaging curriculum in Wild Wanderers.
Grace majored in environmental studies and joined the Environmental Leadership Program to expand her leadership skills. She grew up spending time outdoors in school and camps, and as she grew up she made it an active part of her life, exploring areas surrounding her hometown of Portland, Oregon. Grace could not have been more excited to take the skills gained in college and be able to implement them as an empathetic and intersectional leader.
Rachel's background is primarily in Social Sciences and Environmental Studies, influenced by her upbringing in Oregon. They were excited to see the bridge between the two in real life while working with young people exploring connections between themselves and nature. Rachel has been very passionate about inspiring future leaders and finding meaningful ways to connect with their community.
Dr. Katie Lynch
Dr. Katie Lynch
Katie is an environmental anthropologist with a focus on the interconnections between environmental and social justice. Her courses, projects, and publications have explored how to restore connections between students and the more-than-human world, how to translate environmental science to motivate civic engagement, and the reciprocal relationships between plants, people, and place. She has worked in Peru, Ecuador, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States. In 2006 she launched the Environmental Leadership Program’s Environmental Education Initiative, which partners undergraduate teams with local nonprofits and school districts to develop and implement place-based, experiential environmental education for K-8 children. She has won multiple teaching awards including UO’s Thomas F. Herman Faculty Achievement Award, Williams Fellowship, and Sustainability Teaching Award.
To learn more about University of Oregon's Environmental Leadership Program and projects click the link below.
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