2022 "Big Tent" Speakers
Friday Evening
Keith Williams
Keith is a freshwater underwater naturalist, writer and photographer. He has a BS in Environmental Biology from Kutztown University and a MS in Ecological Teaching and Learning from the Lesley University Audubon Expedition Institute. Keith is the founder of Freshwater Journeys, an outfitter dedicated to connecting people to rivers through snorkeling and has led thousands of people on river snorkeling explorations over the last 15 years. Keith has developed river snorkeling based curriculum and has established freshwater snorkeling programs for non-profits and the US Forest Service. Snorkeling Streams and Rivers: an Aquatic Guide to Underwater Discovery and Adventure is his second book about river snorkeling. Keith is a nationally registered Paramedic and Swift Water Rescue Technician. |
Saturday Evening
Twan Leenders
Twan is a biologist from The Netherlands interested in animal ecology and conservation management. For more than twenty years his work with birds, mammals, plants and especially tropical amphibians and reptiles has taken him to various places on the planet. As a former researcher at Yale University’s Peabody Museum and other institutions he participated in many international expeditions that helped gather data to better understand and protect biologically important areas and their unique species and habitats. Before coming to western NY, Twan taught biology at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT, and went back into the ‘trenches’ of hands-on conservation research and education while leading the Science and Conservation Office of the Connecticut Audubon Society. As Senior Director of Science & Conservation at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History, he now applies his experience to our region and develops new conservation research and education initiatives that aim to spark increased interest in the area’s exceptional natural assets while providing economic incentives to promote good environmental stewardship. |
Interested in leading a walk or talk in 2022? Now accepting Program Proposals!
Leader Bios
Thank you for attending our 2021 ANP Beyond the Park programs and the 2021 Virtual ANP. We look forward to a return to our traditional format in 2022!
View program leader bios from the 2019 Allegany Nature Pilgrimage below
View program leader bios from the 2019 Allegany Nature Pilgrimage below
Atterbury, Maggie - Newark, DE - Maggie is a Geologist living and working in Delaware. Her hobbies include outdoors activities, cooking, and DIY projects. She frequently gives presentations to her peers as well as school groups and young children. This is her first year as a leader at Allegany.
Avery, Susan - Great Valley, NY - Trained in nature and her ways through years of scouting and the ever restless need to explore the outdoors. Susan is a self-trained naturalist, licensed New York State Outdoor Guide, certified Florida Master Naturalist, and National Park Services volunteer naturalist/docent. She is always looking for opportunities to share those marvelous moments in nature with fellow explorers of all ages. Her areas of interest are trees, old growth forests, spring ephemeral flowers, local historic geology, and marine and freshwater invertebrates.
Bacher, Rick - Grand Island, NY - Rick is a full-time English professor and avid outdoor educator. Rick has volunteered at Buffalo Audubon, Tifft Nature Preserve, as a Raptor ID workshop leader for the Buffalo Ornithological Society, is a Hawk counter for the Hawk Migration Association of North America, and has spent time banding both passerines and raptors. Rick specializes in the identification of raptors, but has a general passion and knowledge for all birds and life. Rick is also a wildlife photographer and avid birder. You can follow Rick's photography at http://instagram.com/rickbee or read his birding blog at http://rickbee.weebly.com/adventure-blog.html.
Baird, Timothy - Salamanca, NY - is a retired science educator. His interests include all aspects of nature including nature photography. Tim has been a leader at the Allegany Nature Pilgrimage for many years. His programs have focused on Allegany State Park birds and bird habitats, forest types of Allegany State Park, and regional glacial impacts. Tim has provided many programs for area bird clubs, nature clubs, and garden clubs.
Baker, Mark - Olean, NY - Runs Eagle Dream Rehabilitation Center.
Barski, Donna - Arcade, NY - Born and raised in Idaho. Her love for nature was kindled during family camping trips to the Bitterroot Range. In later years, hiking, climbing, canoeing, skiing, cycling, and snowshoeing fed the flames of her passion for nature and the outdoors. She received her BS degree in Education from the University of Oregon in 1978, and relocated to Arcade, in 1980. She has been a volunteer at Beaver Meadow Nature Center since 1986, and in 2005 earned her environmental studies degree from Empire State College. She has been active in the promotion of environmental education, animal rights, and ecological sustainability. Donna’s lifelong interest in native wildflowers intensified after moving to New York, where she identified and collected nearly one hundred species found on her property. In 1996, she began to focus her attention on insects, particularly monarch butterflies and dragonflies, raising numerous monarch larvae, studying and documenting in detail the process of metamorphosis. In 2013, she became aware that the population of eastern monarch butterflies was plummeting, primarily due to habitat loss and pesticide use. Concerned, and not wanting to witness the demise of these iconic insects, she joined Journey North and Monarch Watch, becoming a ‘citizen scientist’ tracking the monarch migration and promoting gardening for monarchs and other beneficial pollinators.
Burroughs, Andrew - Watersport, NY - I am a graduate student at the College at Brockport studying School Counseling. I have been involved in the ANP ever since I was a little kid. My friend Mitchel Light and I used to help our parents run the Salamander Walk and now they have passed the torch onto us. I love being outdoors and exploring nature.
Carra, Mark - North Java, NY - Mark started as a wildlife educator in 1989 and has spoken to more than 500,000 people since then. He currently serves as the naturalist in residence for the Beaver Meadow Audubon Center. Mark has also worked as a representative and presenter for Animal Planet, National Geographic Channel, and public television and has handled animals for many of their celebrities. His passion for learning and obsession to communicate what he has learned has kept him going all these years and loving the entire journey.
Contrino, Kathleen - Akron, NY - A graduate of University at Buffalo, promotes the use of native plants in residential gardens in order to improve ecological diversity. Kathy has been designing native plant gardens since 1997 and is an avid birder. Kathy participates in Cornell Cooperative's FeederWatch program/Habitat Network as well as volunteers for Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge and the Buffalo Audubon Society leading tours.
Cousins, Stirling - Jamesville, NY - Stirling Noel Cousins is a naturalist/activist/artist from Central New York. She is currently working on earning her Master Naturalist certification. Her background is biology, public education and Waldorf education she currently works at Baltimore Woods as an environmental educator. She loves to work with, and teach people about, native plants.
Craft, James - Rochester, NY - Jim spent much of his youth roaming the hills and gulls of the Bristol Hills while helping his Dad build their family cabin. Those experiences led to interest and degrees in geology from SUNY-Brockport and Binghamton and a stint in the oil patch of offshore California. After some backpacking adventures in the Sierra Nevadas and Cascades, Jim’s eco-focus brought him back to greener pastures and employment with the NYSDEC as an engineering geologist. With the good fortune of the Twin Cedars Nature Center and a 20-acre pond at the Avon NY work location, an incessant interest in dragonflies and damselflies led to countless photos, ode walks/talks, and a 2016 Conservationist magazine cover/article. Soon thereafter, Jim retired after 30+ years of chasing groundwater plumes and polluters and completed a 2017 study on the Salamanca Conglomerate in Rock City State Forest. Currently, he is using newly-available remote sensing data with GIS to track the Salamanca and other conglomerates across Allegany State Park and beyond.
Crombe, Frank - Scottsville, NY - Frank’s extensive knowledge of trees, shrubs, wildflowers, etc. comes from his hobby interest working outdoors and gardening, growing native plants and membership in various conservation organizations. Frank has a Masters degree in Education.
Czejdo, Lisa - Erie, PA - RYT® 200, MA Ed. C.P.C. Lisa is a certified yoga instructor, master educator, speaker, and life coach. She's been practicing yoga for over twenty years, and is owner and CEO of Yoga Energy Summit. She leads the Singing Yin Yoga classes. Lisa's favorite quote is from Benjamin Disraeli, "The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, but reveal to him his own."
Daniel, Steven - Pittsford, NY - Steven has spent the better part of a lifetime studying natural history and teaching others, formally and informally. He took an early retirement from teaching to develop Nature Discoveries, an ecotour company which he co-founded, and for whom he has led some 140 trips to some of the world’s finest natural areas. He was a founder and first president of the Rochester Area Mycological Association. He developed biotic inventories and master plans for The Nature Conservancy preserves, and the Genesee Country Museum Nature Center. He teaches Field Natural History (a class he developed nearly 40 years ago) at Monroe Community College. In recent years he has grown quite passionate about dragonflies, butterflies and moths, and sedges. Now semi-retired, he spends much of his time exploring the great ecological treasures of New York’s North Country. He is a board member of the New York Flora Association, co-curator of the Rochester Academy of Science Herbarium, and has served on the executive council of Burroughs Audubon Nature Club. He has an M.S. in science and environmental education from Cornell University.
Deck, Brian - Java Center, NY - A self-taught naturalist with experience leading group and individual tours. These tours focus on generalized, easy to understand, experiential learning and interpretive talks on: geology, plants, hydrology, animal life and behavior, wilderness survival skills, edible plants, natural resource ecology, and general history. He has previously led tours for ANP, Buffalo Audubon, Tifft Nature Preserve, worked at a wilderness camp in NC, been a white water guide, as well as worked as an interpretive canoe guide for an Outdoor outfitter in Big Bend National Park, TX. Personal trip experience includes bush plane kayaking, backpacking the 100 mile wilderness on the Appalachian trail, numerous hikes and/or canoe-kayak trips in Algonquin, The Adirondacks, and multiple State and National parks, and a recent trip to Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand.
DiGioia, Tony - Phoenixville, PA - Tony has a passion for the outdoors and a lifelong quest for learning and education. Tony has traveled extensively in the U.S. and abroad with family and friends. He and his family have explored 29 U.S. national parks with the goal of visiting them all. Tony has a degree in biology, has served in corporate education, and is currently using his MBA and law degree in his role as Editor in Chief of a Philadelphia-based publishing firm.
Donovan, Lois - East Aurora, NY - Lois has been a volunteer at Beaver Meadow Audubon Center for close to 50 years! She is the driving force behind the very successful Enchanted Forest event that takes place annually at Beaver Meadow--from costumes to schedules, she does it all! Happily married to Terry Donovan for the past 54 years, they both have been enjoying going to the Pilgrimage for many years. In her spare time, she enjoys crafting, sewing, gardening and baking.
Duckett, Christopher - Jamestown, NY - Starting at a young age I've always been fascinated with the natural world around me. From catching crayfish and frogs at local park streams to flipping logs in the woods looking for insects and salamanders and everything in between. For the past ten years I've been taking in unwanted exotic animals and placing some in new homes while using others as part of my educational crew. I also work with and assist other local animal rescue groups, wildlife rehabbers and lead nature walks for families in the spring and summer at local parks.
Dustin, Laura - Honeoye Falls, NY - It seems I have always loved the outdoors and Allegany State Park. As an undergrad and graduate student I explored the wonders of the natural world, especially vascular plant taxonomy. I started leading at the ANP as an undergrad. Later, much later, I began my career as an educator, facilitating students' love of the sciences. Now that I am retired a dabble in outdoor activities and Physics.
Erck, Marie - Lockport, NY - Marie has always enjoyed being outside in nature. Trees, especially, were her favorite. There were so many different kinds! Over time she eventually learned how to identify them--both through training as a Master Gardener and from studies in horticulture.
Farrell, Dan - Buffalo, NY - I have been attending the Pilgrimage for over 20 years, and I enjoy backpacking and hiking.
Fendya, Jennifer -Buffalo, NY - Ph.D., Psychologist, is a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, a Level I Miksang contemplative photographer and a psychotherapist in private practice in Buffalo, NY. She is a first-time participant in the Allegany Nature Pilgrimage and is excited to introduce Forest Bathing to Western New Yorkers.
Fleck, Steve - Hamburg, NY - Born and raised in western NY, Steve has an undergraduate degree in philosophy (with a focus on logic and ethics) and an upcoming graduate degree in molecular biology. While Steve is not preparing for or editing an episode of The Field Guides, he's probably listening to other podcasts, reading manga, or hiking with a few field guides in tow.
Folts, Ellen - Springwater, NY - Ellen Folts is the owner of Amanda's Garden Native Perennial Nursery in Springwater, NY. She has a degree in agricultural and natural resources from SUNY Cobleskill and has worked in the horticultural field for over 31 years. She is a Senior New York State Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional. Ellen’s philosophy has been one of creating sustainable landscapes that give back to the environment. She accomplishes this by planting and growing native plants that are not only lovely to look at, but also suited for the ecological community in which they grow.
Gall, Wayne - Lancaster, NY - BA, Biology, SUNY Buffalo. MS, Entomology, University of Wisconsin-Madison. PhD, Zoology, University of Toronto. Administrator, Tifft Nature Preserve, 1983-1987. Research Fellow, Associate Curator & Curator of Entomology, Buffalo Museum of Science, 1987-2001. Western Regional Entomologist, NYS Dept. of Health 2001-2016. Entomologist (Identifier), US Dept. of Agriculture, 2016-present. 2019 will be Wayne's 36th year as a leader at the Pilgrimage!
Gardner, Frank - Bedford, MA - Frank has been an amateur birder for over 35 years. He has served as a Christmas Bird Count coordinator for 20 years in Massachusetts and was a contributor to the New York State breeding bird atlas project. He has been a field trip leader at ANP for over 30 years. Frank also developed the bird checklist for the Allegany Nature Pilgrimage.
Dr. Gerber, Nicole - Received her PhD in Biological Sciences at the State University of New York at Buffalo. She serves as the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Emergency Manager and Biosafety Officer and her responsibilities include educating and training staff on a variety of policies and procedures. She is a certified Wildlife Rehabilitator and a Wildlife Control Officer.
Hoffman, Megan Mills - Derby, NY - Megan Mills Hoffman grew up in Alaska, studied in Mississippi, Montana, and Oregon, and now lives south of Buffalo, NY. She is fascinated with the quality of emergent learning in nature, where learning happens as a process of self-initiated discovery.
Nan Hoffman - Grand Island, NY - Nan is a singer, musician, performer, recording artist, and workshop presenter. She has been sharing music with people of all ages for more than thirty years throughout the United States and parts of Canada. She has appeared in coffeehouses and festivals, schools and libraries, parks and camps, churches and community centers, hospitals and nursing homes and continues to keep a busy schedule of performances. Nan sings in a clear voice and accompanies herself on guitar, autoharp, and other instruments. Her repertoire encompasses a wide range of folk songs and ballads, both contemporary and traditional, including topical, spiritual, and humorous songs. Her presentations are fun and informative, and much of her material invites audience participation. Nan has often been heard on public radio and television and has published eight collections of recorded music. A THOUSAND CRANES, RISE LIKE A STAR, and ALONG THE ROAD are albums which focus on peace, ecological concerns, and human potential. (almost) TWO MUCH! is a CD of songs with addictive choruses for children of all ages. CELEBRATIONS OF THE HEART features music for the Christmas season and other festive times.
Jager, Nancy - Dunkirk, NY - Nancy is a nature enthusiast who enjoys nature photography and learning about plants. Nancy is a Chautauqua Master Gardener of Cornell Cooperative Extensionl. She holds a M.S. in Education from the State University of New York at Fredonia. She has NYS teacher certification in 4 areas: TESOL, Spanish, Home Economics, and Elementary Education. She has been a participant of Allegany Nature Pilgrimage since 2009. Nancy has given talks about Wild and Wonderful Weeds at Chautauqua Institution, has given a presentaton on deer and other animals in your yard at the annual ‘Grow Jamestown”. Nancy was a participant in the Wildflower Pilgrimage at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Gatlinburg, TN) (April 2014). Nancy is also a returned Peace Corps Volunteer from Paraguay.
Kerr, Elizabeth -Tonawanda, NY - Elizabeth Kerr is a mom of two great boys and works in Student Support at Villa Maria College. She has come to Allegheny yearly growing up, and has been a regular attendee of the pilgrimage for the last several years.
Kerr, Tom -North Java, NY- Tom has been educating others about the natural world since he began to understand it. With the help of his neighbors as a child, he created a bug zoo from his Tonawanda backyard, and gathered other neighborhood kids to view his collections. Inspired by many family vacations to National Parks, Tom studied environmental science in college. At SUNY ESF he was part of the first class that graduated with a Natural History and Interpretation degree, selecting the major because he understood the growing need to communicate the scientific world. Tom has spent his entire professional career in environmental education. He worked as a Park Ranger in the New York City Parks for five years, teaching school programs, leading an after school program for high school students, and monitoring piping plover habitat. Living in a major migration fly way in a dense urban environment, it was in NYC he developed a love of birding. Tom came to Buffalo Audubon to lead the For the Birds! program for elementary school students, and now as a naturalist enjoys leading bird tours and teaching people about all nature in Western New York. If you catch Tom in his free time, you will most likely find him with a pair of binoculars around his neck, setting up his spotting scope to make sure everyone gets a chance to view whatever wildlife is around. He also enjoys raising his two sons to appreciate the wonderful natural landscape of Western New York.
Kozuchowski , Jack - Cross River, NY- Jack is a retired Environmental Scientist with a B.S. in Biology and a a Master of Science in Water Resources. He was the Environmental Director of Danbury, Connecticut for 27 years and was the sole proprietor for Kozuchowski Environmental Consulting for 20 years. Jack has dedicated his retirement years to educating the public on climate change challenge and has been personally trained by former Vice President Al Gore, certifying him as a Climate Reality Leader. His slide show has been presented to a variety of civic and environmental organizations.
Kuebler, Kit - Hamburg, NY - Kit is a certified Yoga Instructor with experience in the Babtiste yoga philosophy. She is a Camp Counselor at YMCA Camp Onyahsa on Lake Chautauqua and and advocate for outdoor education programs. She believes in the healing power of bringing nature and yoga together to promote well-being for all ages and abilities.
Kunselman, Ellen - Erie, PA - I'm an avid gardener focusing more and more on native plants and animals. In the midst of a 13-year-long battle to be diagnosed with the disorder causing my chronic pain, I discovered yoga. I've been a daily practitioner for nearly 6 years and it has transformed my life.
Light, Garner - Gasport, NY - Garner is on the board of directors of The Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. Active with the Iroquois Observations Nature Programs at INWR. Compiler for the Wilson-Lake Plains Christmas Bird Count. Coordinator for the Len Anderson Memorial Bluebird Trail in Clarence & Lockport, NY Lay Leader at Middleport United Methodist Church Advocate for Handicap Accessibility. Admin on Facebook for: Accessibility Now!, Handicap Accessible Trails of WNY, Wilson-Lake Plains CBC, Len Anderson Memorial Bluebird Trail, American Wildlife, Middleport United Methodist Church, Friends of INWR and Iroquois Observations
Light, Judy - Gasport, NY - Art educator in Medina NY; pilgrimage attendee/leader for many years; origami artist; stampin up demonstrator; obsessed nature tangler!
Light, Mitchel - Milford, NY - I have been participating in the Allegany Nature Pilgrimage since I was very young. Andrew and I took over leading the Salamander Walk when we were in high school and have been leading it ever since. I grew up being in and around nature and volunteering with the Buffalo Audubon Society. I have since graduated college with an Agricultural Business degree and I hope to start a small regenerative/sustainable farm with my Fiance. I love being a leader for this event and I am super excited for another year! Hope to see you at the Salamander Walk!
Long, Judy - Jamestown, NY - ANP committee member, special education teacher in early childhood program. She has a strong interest in nature, recycling, saving the Earth.
Makeyenko, Lauren - Buffalo, NY - Lauren grew up in the village of Hamburg exploring natural areas around the Eighteen Mile Creek. She is the Director of Education for the Buffalo Audubon Society and previously held education positions with Tifft Nature Preserve and at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve. In her free time, she enjoys venturing into the natural areas of Western NY with her family throughout the year.
Martin, Jeremy Friendship, NY- Jeremy has had an interest in nature for as long as he can remember. His patient mother tolerated pans of pond water in his bedroom and encouraged his early butterfly collections by making (and then frequently repairing) a butterfly net. While that early interest in ponds and entomology never became a career, Jeremy is lucky enough to now relive those early days of discovery with his two boys. Through photography he enjoys documenting nature all over western NY including wildflowers, dragonflies, moths and butterflies, and various other insects. He also participates in various citizen science projects including the New York Dragonfly and Damselfly survey where from 2005 to 2009 Jeremy volunteered as citizen scientist on discovering numerous county/species records in western New York.
Martin, Samuel - Friendship, NY- Samuel has been interested in spiders and other creepy animals such as snakes, and scorpions for many years. He enjoys collecting spiders in jars and identifying them using books and doing research on the internet (and then letting them go).
Michalek, Bill - West Falls, NY- Bill is a native of Western New York and has grown up learning the stories of the local flora and fauna. He was a naturalist with Earth Spirit and director of Buffalo Audubon's Beaver Meadow Audubon Center before earning his graduate degree in education. He currently teaches second grade in the Iroquois School District, teaches classes in UB's environmental studies department, runs the bird banding program at Beaver Meadow, and co-hosts The Field Guides podcast. He loves to share stories of the natural world and to hear them from anyone willing to share.
Myers, Chris - Newark, DE - Chris studied geology at the University of Delaware and now works as an environmental geologist in the Northeast. He first attended the ANP in 1992, when he was 6 months old. He comes from a family that has great admiration and appreciation for nature (his parents Lon and Becky currently serve on the ANP Committee). Chris loves learning and sharing knowledge with others.
Myers, Lon -West Chester, PA - Is an avid self-taught naturalist with a lifelong passion for nature. He has led walks at the Pilgrimage for 45 years including Beginning Birds, Sharing Nature with Children, Family Nature, The Splash Hike, Stream Adventure, Night Hike, and Adults Only.
Nusstein, Matthew - Cheektowaga, NY - A student of the natural world, Matt is interested in every aspect of nature. His goal is to learn about the great diversity of life we spend our time with and share it with others. Matt currently works for the New York State Parks as a Park Naturalist.
Nutting, Mary Lyn - East Aurora NY- Mary Lyn Nutting is a long time ANP presenter and attendee. She is an artist and a Waldorf teacher and she just loves being out in the woods or out on the water, hiking or paddling.
Ordiway, Linda – Bradford PA - You will find Linda at the bird banding station. Dr. Ordiway is Mid-Atlantic/Appalachian Regional Biologist with the Ruffed Grouse Society. She has also worked as a wildlife biologist for the US Forest Service and has taught environmental and biological sciences at the University of Pittsburgh, Bradford PA.
Parsons, William - South Wales, NY - For the past twenty-six years, I and my wife, Kristen Parsons have been partners in conducting a long term vertebrate paleontological study of the paleo-faunal community found at an Early Cretaceous site (106-8 million years old) in central Montana. We have published the results of our research in a number of accredited peer-reviewed journals. Our discoveries have included several specimens of the theropod "raptor" dinosaur Deinonychus, the newly named (by us) nodosaurid dinosaur, Tatankacephalus, as well as several other types of dinosaurs, birds, reptiles, and mammals. Our collection also includes invertebrates such as bivalves and snails, flowers, insect traces and pupae cases, burrows, coprolites (fossil poop) and even a pine cone. The current focus of our research is on a number of fossil eggs containing embryos and the unique circumstances that brought about this preservation.
Pecoraro, Danielle - Blasdell, NY - Danielle and her mother, Marilyn, have owned Wild Birds Unlimited in Blasdell, NY for 21 years, though their love for nature began many years prior. In 1987, Danielle bought Marilyn her first Golden Guide to birds in the Allegany State Park Gift Shop. Ten years later, Marilyn opened Wild Birds Unlimited near the McKinley Mall in Blasdell. Danielle graduated from the University at Buffalo in 2000 with a BA in Math & Economics and joined her mother at the store. Danielle became part owner in 2005 and can't imagine doing anything else. Danielle had no idea at the age of 10, how the purchase of a $3 book would change the course of her life forever. Danielle is thrilled to be presenting at the Pilgrimage for the second year and sharing her love of birdfeeding. Who knows, maybe the life of someone else will be changed this weekend!
Podet, Allen - Williamsville, NY - Ph.D. & DHL & DD, he has been leading field trips at Pilgrimage for 20 years. Dr. Podet learned about ferns through classes, clinics & experience. When not at Allegany State Park, Dr. Podet is a professor in the philosophy and humanities departments at Buffalo State College.
Podet, Valerie Jill - Williamsville, NY - Valerie Jill has been leading Pilgrimage walks for over 20 years. She holds an M.S. in zoology and is ABD for a doctorate in geology. The Allegany Nature Pilgrimage is the high light of her year.
Prill, Ellen - Rochester, NY - Ellen is a retired ESL and reading teacher with experience in kayaking and canoeing on flat, moving and whitewater who currently owns 9 boats. She lives on Irondequoit Bay and has a lot of on-the-water experience. Ellen has led boating trips for the Genesee Valley ADK Club and on many informal trips with friends.
Dr. Reilly, Dave - Grand Island, NY - Director of International Studies and chair of the Department of Political Science at Niagara University, where he teaches a variety of courses that include Environmental Thought and Environmental Policy. Together, Nicole and Dave have started the Citizen Coalition for Wildlife and the Environment, a non-profit based in Western New York. The organization’s mission is to be the voice of wildlife and stewards of the environment, to encourage and enlist citizens in the practice and promotion of compassionate coexistence and the realization of a kind and compassionate world, and to use education and action to protect our ecosystems and the lives of animals. Nicole and Dave are Master Naturalist trainees and have developed a number of environmental educational programs for children and adults. They live on Grand Island with their goats, chickens, dogs, and have created native plant habitats for their many wildlife friends.
Rosenburg, Chuck - Elma, NY - Chuck has a B.S. degree in wildlife management from Purdue University and an M.S. degree in biology from the College of William and Mary. His master’s thesis focused on barn owl habitat use, as determined using radio-telemetry. For the first 15 years of his professional career, Chuck worked as a private environmental consultant completing a broad variety of ecological studies. Since 2006, he has served as a wetlands ecologist with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, where he also leads the NYS DEC’s winter raptor study in Region 9. Chuck is an avid birder and has led numerous Owl Prowls for Buffalo Audubon Society and other groups.
Rosenburg, Kristen - Elma, NY- Kristen has always enjoyed spending time outdoors, nurtured by family camping trips to the Adirondacks, Algonquin Provincial Park and Yellowstone National Park. As a child, she attended her very first beaver colony tour and owl prowl at Allegany State Park. While attending graduate school at SUNY-ESF, Kristen returned to Allegany State Park to conduct field research studying beaver behavior. After completing a master's degree in wildlife biology, she has been employed since 2000 by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as an Environmental Educator at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve in Depew, NY.
Rosten, Marcus - Tonawanda, NY - Inspired after spending many summers camping in green cabins, he attended SUNY ESF and graduated with a degree in Environmental Education and Interpretation. Currently Marcus works for Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper where he works to protect and restore the Niagara River Watershed. Previously he was a Fish and Wildlife Technician with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NYS DEC, and was an educator at Reinstein Woods Nature Center, the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, and Grand Canyon National Park.
Rutherford, Heather - Medina, NY- earned her NC Environmental Education Certification and MEd in Science Education while teaching fourth and second grades in North Carolina. Back in NY, she is on a quest to become a better naturalist by learning from others and taking time to observe changes and animal behaviors through her photography.
Stark, Hazel and Joe Horn are Co-Founders of Maine Outdoor School, L3C. They are passionate about the natural world and getting people curious and excited about the outdoors. Connecting science concepts outdoors through fun and games is a key part of their work!
Taylor, Garrett - Salamanca, NY - Amateur mycologist and mushroom photographer: @fungee on iNaturalist, @cappy on mushroomobserver.org. Current member of the following NAMA mushroom clubs: WNYMC, WPaMC, CPaMC, RAMA and MST. Interested in clarifying and cataloging all the diversity we can see with the naked eye.
Thompson, Craig - Falconer, NY- learned his birds on France Brook Road while still in grammar school. He was a teacher/naturalist at Jamestown’s Audubon Community Nature Center in 1978-79 and thereafter served as an Environmental Educator for 34 years with NYS Department of Environmental Conservation in Albany. He is the Vice Chair of the Audubon Council of New York State.
Tuttle, Blair - Fairview, PA - A professor of Physics at Penn State Behrend. He and his family have attended the Allegany Nature Pilgrimage since 2002. Recently, he has been examining the nano-structural materials which create iridescent coloring in a variety of animals.
Tuttle, Siegrid - Fairview, PA - Siegrid Tuttle is a rising senior at Fairview High School who went to a survival camp called Coyote Tracks for six years and interned at that camp. She spent last semester at a school in Wisconsin focused on environmental stewardship. She is very excited to teach interested kids and adults basic survival skills!
Urbanski-Farrell, Liz - Buffalo, NY-has been an avid birder since her first effort to put salt on a robin's tail as a toddler. Originally a journalist, writer and editor by training and trade, Ms. Urbanski-Farrell holds a minor concentration in fine art from Buffalo State College and enjoys trying new ways of involving children and adults in art and the natural world, has participated in the Allegany Nature Pilgrimage with her family for 20 years. She has been a Cub Scout leader and is currently a member of the parent committee for Boy Scout Troop 5 and Sea Scout Ship 1 in Buffalo, NY and is director of member services and government relations for the Western New York Healthcare Association.
Vaillancourt-Alder, Andrea - Derby, NY - Andrea has been sharing her passion for the outdoors and conservation for over three decades. A native western New Yorker she is a Leave No Trace Master Educator and has had many exciting experiences working around the globe in country parks, zoos, botanical gardens, national parks, community gardens and more. Andrea lived and worked in the United Kingdom for twenty years encouraging stewardship of the environment through holistic education conservation programming and community development linked to the reclamation and restoration of public spaces. Andrea relocated back to Western NY five years ago and owns Seabirds International, www.seabirds.co, a paddle sports instruction company that incorporates leave no trace principles into each session. Additionally Andrea has trained UB students and SCA members to become LNT Trainers and is excited to be back in the states sharing her love of and for our planet!
Wellman, Adele - Salamanca, NY - I am the Environmental Educator for the Allegany region after working at Allegany State Park as a naturalist since 2000. My degree is in Biology and Horticulture. I am happiest in the woods and enjoy them from a bike, skis or on foot.
Woodard, Ro - Falconer, NY- Retired NYS Parks Environmental Educator, current Audubon Community Nature Center volunteer, and longtime Girl Scout volunteer.
Wopperer, Jay - Williamsville NY - Graduate of Intermediate Birding, Buffalo Museum of Science. Longtime member of Buffalo Audubon and East Aurora Birding Club & has led many field trips for both.
Wymer, David - Portville, NY - I enjoy sharing the night sky as it is rarely seen these days with anyone who has a passion for nature. I have done astrophotography for many years and was involved in 2 Astronomy organizations in the past. I have been involved in dozens of public events to share views of the planets, stars and deep sky objects including many years at ANP.
Avery, Susan - Great Valley, NY - Trained in nature and her ways through years of scouting and the ever restless need to explore the outdoors. Susan is a self-trained naturalist, licensed New York State Outdoor Guide, certified Florida Master Naturalist, and National Park Services volunteer naturalist/docent. She is always looking for opportunities to share those marvelous moments in nature with fellow explorers of all ages. Her areas of interest are trees, old growth forests, spring ephemeral flowers, local historic geology, and marine and freshwater invertebrates.
Bacher, Rick - Grand Island, NY - Rick is a full-time English professor and avid outdoor educator. Rick has volunteered at Buffalo Audubon, Tifft Nature Preserve, as a Raptor ID workshop leader for the Buffalo Ornithological Society, is a Hawk counter for the Hawk Migration Association of North America, and has spent time banding both passerines and raptors. Rick specializes in the identification of raptors, but has a general passion and knowledge for all birds and life. Rick is also a wildlife photographer and avid birder. You can follow Rick's photography at http://instagram.com/rickbee or read his birding blog at http://rickbee.weebly.com/adventure-blog.html.
Baird, Timothy - Salamanca, NY - is a retired science educator. His interests include all aspects of nature including nature photography. Tim has been a leader at the Allegany Nature Pilgrimage for many years. His programs have focused on Allegany State Park birds and bird habitats, forest types of Allegany State Park, and regional glacial impacts. Tim has provided many programs for area bird clubs, nature clubs, and garden clubs.
Baker, Mark - Olean, NY - Runs Eagle Dream Rehabilitation Center.
Barski, Donna - Arcade, NY - Born and raised in Idaho. Her love for nature was kindled during family camping trips to the Bitterroot Range. In later years, hiking, climbing, canoeing, skiing, cycling, and snowshoeing fed the flames of her passion for nature and the outdoors. She received her BS degree in Education from the University of Oregon in 1978, and relocated to Arcade, in 1980. She has been a volunteer at Beaver Meadow Nature Center since 1986, and in 2005 earned her environmental studies degree from Empire State College. She has been active in the promotion of environmental education, animal rights, and ecological sustainability. Donna’s lifelong interest in native wildflowers intensified after moving to New York, where she identified and collected nearly one hundred species found on her property. In 1996, she began to focus her attention on insects, particularly monarch butterflies and dragonflies, raising numerous monarch larvae, studying and documenting in detail the process of metamorphosis. In 2013, she became aware that the population of eastern monarch butterflies was plummeting, primarily due to habitat loss and pesticide use. Concerned, and not wanting to witness the demise of these iconic insects, she joined Journey North and Monarch Watch, becoming a ‘citizen scientist’ tracking the monarch migration and promoting gardening for monarchs and other beneficial pollinators.
Burroughs, Andrew - Watersport, NY - I am a graduate student at the College at Brockport studying School Counseling. I have been involved in the ANP ever since I was a little kid. My friend Mitchel Light and I used to help our parents run the Salamander Walk and now they have passed the torch onto us. I love being outdoors and exploring nature.
Carra, Mark - North Java, NY - Mark started as a wildlife educator in 1989 and has spoken to more than 500,000 people since then. He currently serves as the naturalist in residence for the Beaver Meadow Audubon Center. Mark has also worked as a representative and presenter for Animal Planet, National Geographic Channel, and public television and has handled animals for many of their celebrities. His passion for learning and obsession to communicate what he has learned has kept him going all these years and loving the entire journey.
Contrino, Kathleen - Akron, NY - A graduate of University at Buffalo, promotes the use of native plants in residential gardens in order to improve ecological diversity. Kathy has been designing native plant gardens since 1997 and is an avid birder. Kathy participates in Cornell Cooperative's FeederWatch program/Habitat Network as well as volunteers for Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge and the Buffalo Audubon Society leading tours.
Cousins, Stirling - Jamesville, NY - Stirling Noel Cousins is a naturalist/activist/artist from Central New York. She is currently working on earning her Master Naturalist certification. Her background is biology, public education and Waldorf education she currently works at Baltimore Woods as an environmental educator. She loves to work with, and teach people about, native plants.
Craft, James - Rochester, NY - Jim spent much of his youth roaming the hills and gulls of the Bristol Hills while helping his Dad build their family cabin. Those experiences led to interest and degrees in geology from SUNY-Brockport and Binghamton and a stint in the oil patch of offshore California. After some backpacking adventures in the Sierra Nevadas and Cascades, Jim’s eco-focus brought him back to greener pastures and employment with the NYSDEC as an engineering geologist. With the good fortune of the Twin Cedars Nature Center and a 20-acre pond at the Avon NY work location, an incessant interest in dragonflies and damselflies led to countless photos, ode walks/talks, and a 2016 Conservationist magazine cover/article. Soon thereafter, Jim retired after 30+ years of chasing groundwater plumes and polluters and completed a 2017 study on the Salamanca Conglomerate in Rock City State Forest. Currently, he is using newly-available remote sensing data with GIS to track the Salamanca and other conglomerates across Allegany State Park and beyond.
Crombe, Frank - Scottsville, NY - Frank’s extensive knowledge of trees, shrubs, wildflowers, etc. comes from his hobby interest working outdoors and gardening, growing native plants and membership in various conservation organizations. Frank has a Masters degree in Education.
Czejdo, Lisa - Erie, PA - RYT® 200, MA Ed. C.P.C. Lisa is a certified yoga instructor, master educator, speaker, and life coach. She's been practicing yoga for over twenty years, and is owner and CEO of Yoga Energy Summit. She leads the Singing Yin Yoga classes. Lisa's favorite quote is from Benjamin Disraeli, "The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, but reveal to him his own."
Daniel, Steven - Pittsford, NY - Steven has spent the better part of a lifetime studying natural history and teaching others, formally and informally. He took an early retirement from teaching to develop Nature Discoveries, an ecotour company which he co-founded, and for whom he has led some 140 trips to some of the world’s finest natural areas. He was a founder and first president of the Rochester Area Mycological Association. He developed biotic inventories and master plans for The Nature Conservancy preserves, and the Genesee Country Museum Nature Center. He teaches Field Natural History (a class he developed nearly 40 years ago) at Monroe Community College. In recent years he has grown quite passionate about dragonflies, butterflies and moths, and sedges. Now semi-retired, he spends much of his time exploring the great ecological treasures of New York’s North Country. He is a board member of the New York Flora Association, co-curator of the Rochester Academy of Science Herbarium, and has served on the executive council of Burroughs Audubon Nature Club. He has an M.S. in science and environmental education from Cornell University.
Deck, Brian - Java Center, NY - A self-taught naturalist with experience leading group and individual tours. These tours focus on generalized, easy to understand, experiential learning and interpretive talks on: geology, plants, hydrology, animal life and behavior, wilderness survival skills, edible plants, natural resource ecology, and general history. He has previously led tours for ANP, Buffalo Audubon, Tifft Nature Preserve, worked at a wilderness camp in NC, been a white water guide, as well as worked as an interpretive canoe guide for an Outdoor outfitter in Big Bend National Park, TX. Personal trip experience includes bush plane kayaking, backpacking the 100 mile wilderness on the Appalachian trail, numerous hikes and/or canoe-kayak trips in Algonquin, The Adirondacks, and multiple State and National parks, and a recent trip to Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand.
DiGioia, Tony - Phoenixville, PA - Tony has a passion for the outdoors and a lifelong quest for learning and education. Tony has traveled extensively in the U.S. and abroad with family and friends. He and his family have explored 29 U.S. national parks with the goal of visiting them all. Tony has a degree in biology, has served in corporate education, and is currently using his MBA and law degree in his role as Editor in Chief of a Philadelphia-based publishing firm.
Donovan, Lois - East Aurora, NY - Lois has been a volunteer at Beaver Meadow Audubon Center for close to 50 years! She is the driving force behind the very successful Enchanted Forest event that takes place annually at Beaver Meadow--from costumes to schedules, she does it all! Happily married to Terry Donovan for the past 54 years, they both have been enjoying going to the Pilgrimage for many years. In her spare time, she enjoys crafting, sewing, gardening and baking.
Duckett, Christopher - Jamestown, NY - Starting at a young age I've always been fascinated with the natural world around me. From catching crayfish and frogs at local park streams to flipping logs in the woods looking for insects and salamanders and everything in between. For the past ten years I've been taking in unwanted exotic animals and placing some in new homes while using others as part of my educational crew. I also work with and assist other local animal rescue groups, wildlife rehabbers and lead nature walks for families in the spring and summer at local parks.
Dustin, Laura - Honeoye Falls, NY - It seems I have always loved the outdoors and Allegany State Park. As an undergrad and graduate student I explored the wonders of the natural world, especially vascular plant taxonomy. I started leading at the ANP as an undergrad. Later, much later, I began my career as an educator, facilitating students' love of the sciences. Now that I am retired a dabble in outdoor activities and Physics.
Erck, Marie - Lockport, NY - Marie has always enjoyed being outside in nature. Trees, especially, were her favorite. There were so many different kinds! Over time she eventually learned how to identify them--both through training as a Master Gardener and from studies in horticulture.
Farrell, Dan - Buffalo, NY - I have been attending the Pilgrimage for over 20 years, and I enjoy backpacking and hiking.
Fendya, Jennifer -Buffalo, NY - Ph.D., Psychologist, is a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, a Level I Miksang contemplative photographer and a psychotherapist in private practice in Buffalo, NY. She is a first-time participant in the Allegany Nature Pilgrimage and is excited to introduce Forest Bathing to Western New Yorkers.
Fleck, Steve - Hamburg, NY - Born and raised in western NY, Steve has an undergraduate degree in philosophy (with a focus on logic and ethics) and an upcoming graduate degree in molecular biology. While Steve is not preparing for or editing an episode of The Field Guides, he's probably listening to other podcasts, reading manga, or hiking with a few field guides in tow.
Folts, Ellen - Springwater, NY - Ellen Folts is the owner of Amanda's Garden Native Perennial Nursery in Springwater, NY. She has a degree in agricultural and natural resources from SUNY Cobleskill and has worked in the horticultural field for over 31 years. She is a Senior New York State Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional. Ellen’s philosophy has been one of creating sustainable landscapes that give back to the environment. She accomplishes this by planting and growing native plants that are not only lovely to look at, but also suited for the ecological community in which they grow.
Gall, Wayne - Lancaster, NY - BA, Biology, SUNY Buffalo. MS, Entomology, University of Wisconsin-Madison. PhD, Zoology, University of Toronto. Administrator, Tifft Nature Preserve, 1983-1987. Research Fellow, Associate Curator & Curator of Entomology, Buffalo Museum of Science, 1987-2001. Western Regional Entomologist, NYS Dept. of Health 2001-2016. Entomologist (Identifier), US Dept. of Agriculture, 2016-present. 2019 will be Wayne's 36th year as a leader at the Pilgrimage!
Gardner, Frank - Bedford, MA - Frank has been an amateur birder for over 35 years. He has served as a Christmas Bird Count coordinator for 20 years in Massachusetts and was a contributor to the New York State breeding bird atlas project. He has been a field trip leader at ANP for over 30 years. Frank also developed the bird checklist for the Allegany Nature Pilgrimage.
Dr. Gerber, Nicole - Received her PhD in Biological Sciences at the State University of New York at Buffalo. She serves as the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Emergency Manager and Biosafety Officer and her responsibilities include educating and training staff on a variety of policies and procedures. She is a certified Wildlife Rehabilitator and a Wildlife Control Officer.
Hoffman, Megan Mills - Derby, NY - Megan Mills Hoffman grew up in Alaska, studied in Mississippi, Montana, and Oregon, and now lives south of Buffalo, NY. She is fascinated with the quality of emergent learning in nature, where learning happens as a process of self-initiated discovery.
Nan Hoffman - Grand Island, NY - Nan is a singer, musician, performer, recording artist, and workshop presenter. She has been sharing music with people of all ages for more than thirty years throughout the United States and parts of Canada. She has appeared in coffeehouses and festivals, schools and libraries, parks and camps, churches and community centers, hospitals and nursing homes and continues to keep a busy schedule of performances. Nan sings in a clear voice and accompanies herself on guitar, autoharp, and other instruments. Her repertoire encompasses a wide range of folk songs and ballads, both contemporary and traditional, including topical, spiritual, and humorous songs. Her presentations are fun and informative, and much of her material invites audience participation. Nan has often been heard on public radio and television and has published eight collections of recorded music. A THOUSAND CRANES, RISE LIKE A STAR, and ALONG THE ROAD are albums which focus on peace, ecological concerns, and human potential. (almost) TWO MUCH! is a CD of songs with addictive choruses for children of all ages. CELEBRATIONS OF THE HEART features music for the Christmas season and other festive times.
Jager, Nancy - Dunkirk, NY - Nancy is a nature enthusiast who enjoys nature photography and learning about plants. Nancy is a Chautauqua Master Gardener of Cornell Cooperative Extensionl. She holds a M.S. in Education from the State University of New York at Fredonia. She has NYS teacher certification in 4 areas: TESOL, Spanish, Home Economics, and Elementary Education. She has been a participant of Allegany Nature Pilgrimage since 2009. Nancy has given talks about Wild and Wonderful Weeds at Chautauqua Institution, has given a presentaton on deer and other animals in your yard at the annual ‘Grow Jamestown”. Nancy was a participant in the Wildflower Pilgrimage at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Gatlinburg, TN) (April 2014). Nancy is also a returned Peace Corps Volunteer from Paraguay.
Kerr, Elizabeth -Tonawanda, NY - Elizabeth Kerr is a mom of two great boys and works in Student Support at Villa Maria College. She has come to Allegheny yearly growing up, and has been a regular attendee of the pilgrimage for the last several years.
Kerr, Tom -North Java, NY- Tom has been educating others about the natural world since he began to understand it. With the help of his neighbors as a child, he created a bug zoo from his Tonawanda backyard, and gathered other neighborhood kids to view his collections. Inspired by many family vacations to National Parks, Tom studied environmental science in college. At SUNY ESF he was part of the first class that graduated with a Natural History and Interpretation degree, selecting the major because he understood the growing need to communicate the scientific world. Tom has spent his entire professional career in environmental education. He worked as a Park Ranger in the New York City Parks for five years, teaching school programs, leading an after school program for high school students, and monitoring piping plover habitat. Living in a major migration fly way in a dense urban environment, it was in NYC he developed a love of birding. Tom came to Buffalo Audubon to lead the For the Birds! program for elementary school students, and now as a naturalist enjoys leading bird tours and teaching people about all nature in Western New York. If you catch Tom in his free time, you will most likely find him with a pair of binoculars around his neck, setting up his spotting scope to make sure everyone gets a chance to view whatever wildlife is around. He also enjoys raising his two sons to appreciate the wonderful natural landscape of Western New York.
Kozuchowski , Jack - Cross River, NY- Jack is a retired Environmental Scientist with a B.S. in Biology and a a Master of Science in Water Resources. He was the Environmental Director of Danbury, Connecticut for 27 years and was the sole proprietor for Kozuchowski Environmental Consulting for 20 years. Jack has dedicated his retirement years to educating the public on climate change challenge and has been personally trained by former Vice President Al Gore, certifying him as a Climate Reality Leader. His slide show has been presented to a variety of civic and environmental organizations.
Kuebler, Kit - Hamburg, NY - Kit is a certified Yoga Instructor with experience in the Babtiste yoga philosophy. She is a Camp Counselor at YMCA Camp Onyahsa on Lake Chautauqua and and advocate for outdoor education programs. She believes in the healing power of bringing nature and yoga together to promote well-being for all ages and abilities.
Kunselman, Ellen - Erie, PA - I'm an avid gardener focusing more and more on native plants and animals. In the midst of a 13-year-long battle to be diagnosed with the disorder causing my chronic pain, I discovered yoga. I've been a daily practitioner for nearly 6 years and it has transformed my life.
Light, Garner - Gasport, NY - Garner is on the board of directors of The Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. Active with the Iroquois Observations Nature Programs at INWR. Compiler for the Wilson-Lake Plains Christmas Bird Count. Coordinator for the Len Anderson Memorial Bluebird Trail in Clarence & Lockport, NY Lay Leader at Middleport United Methodist Church Advocate for Handicap Accessibility. Admin on Facebook for: Accessibility Now!, Handicap Accessible Trails of WNY, Wilson-Lake Plains CBC, Len Anderson Memorial Bluebird Trail, American Wildlife, Middleport United Methodist Church, Friends of INWR and Iroquois Observations
Light, Judy - Gasport, NY - Art educator in Medina NY; pilgrimage attendee/leader for many years; origami artist; stampin up demonstrator; obsessed nature tangler!
Light, Mitchel - Milford, NY - I have been participating in the Allegany Nature Pilgrimage since I was very young. Andrew and I took over leading the Salamander Walk when we were in high school and have been leading it ever since. I grew up being in and around nature and volunteering with the Buffalo Audubon Society. I have since graduated college with an Agricultural Business degree and I hope to start a small regenerative/sustainable farm with my Fiance. I love being a leader for this event and I am super excited for another year! Hope to see you at the Salamander Walk!
Long, Judy - Jamestown, NY - ANP committee member, special education teacher in early childhood program. She has a strong interest in nature, recycling, saving the Earth.
Makeyenko, Lauren - Buffalo, NY - Lauren grew up in the village of Hamburg exploring natural areas around the Eighteen Mile Creek. She is the Director of Education for the Buffalo Audubon Society and previously held education positions with Tifft Nature Preserve and at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve. In her free time, she enjoys venturing into the natural areas of Western NY with her family throughout the year.
Martin, Jeremy Friendship, NY- Jeremy has had an interest in nature for as long as he can remember. His patient mother tolerated pans of pond water in his bedroom and encouraged his early butterfly collections by making (and then frequently repairing) a butterfly net. While that early interest in ponds and entomology never became a career, Jeremy is lucky enough to now relive those early days of discovery with his two boys. Through photography he enjoys documenting nature all over western NY including wildflowers, dragonflies, moths and butterflies, and various other insects. He also participates in various citizen science projects including the New York Dragonfly and Damselfly survey where from 2005 to 2009 Jeremy volunteered as citizen scientist on discovering numerous county/species records in western New York.
Martin, Samuel - Friendship, NY- Samuel has been interested in spiders and other creepy animals such as snakes, and scorpions for many years. He enjoys collecting spiders in jars and identifying them using books and doing research on the internet (and then letting them go).
Michalek, Bill - West Falls, NY- Bill is a native of Western New York and has grown up learning the stories of the local flora and fauna. He was a naturalist with Earth Spirit and director of Buffalo Audubon's Beaver Meadow Audubon Center before earning his graduate degree in education. He currently teaches second grade in the Iroquois School District, teaches classes in UB's environmental studies department, runs the bird banding program at Beaver Meadow, and co-hosts The Field Guides podcast. He loves to share stories of the natural world and to hear them from anyone willing to share.
Myers, Chris - Newark, DE - Chris studied geology at the University of Delaware and now works as an environmental geologist in the Northeast. He first attended the ANP in 1992, when he was 6 months old. He comes from a family that has great admiration and appreciation for nature (his parents Lon and Becky currently serve on the ANP Committee). Chris loves learning and sharing knowledge with others.
Myers, Lon -West Chester, PA - Is an avid self-taught naturalist with a lifelong passion for nature. He has led walks at the Pilgrimage for 45 years including Beginning Birds, Sharing Nature with Children, Family Nature, The Splash Hike, Stream Adventure, Night Hike, and Adults Only.
Nusstein, Matthew - Cheektowaga, NY - A student of the natural world, Matt is interested in every aspect of nature. His goal is to learn about the great diversity of life we spend our time with and share it with others. Matt currently works for the New York State Parks as a Park Naturalist.
Nutting, Mary Lyn - East Aurora NY- Mary Lyn Nutting is a long time ANP presenter and attendee. She is an artist and a Waldorf teacher and she just loves being out in the woods or out on the water, hiking or paddling.
Ordiway, Linda – Bradford PA - You will find Linda at the bird banding station. Dr. Ordiway is Mid-Atlantic/Appalachian Regional Biologist with the Ruffed Grouse Society. She has also worked as a wildlife biologist for the US Forest Service and has taught environmental and biological sciences at the University of Pittsburgh, Bradford PA.
Parsons, William - South Wales, NY - For the past twenty-six years, I and my wife, Kristen Parsons have been partners in conducting a long term vertebrate paleontological study of the paleo-faunal community found at an Early Cretaceous site (106-8 million years old) in central Montana. We have published the results of our research in a number of accredited peer-reviewed journals. Our discoveries have included several specimens of the theropod "raptor" dinosaur Deinonychus, the newly named (by us) nodosaurid dinosaur, Tatankacephalus, as well as several other types of dinosaurs, birds, reptiles, and mammals. Our collection also includes invertebrates such as bivalves and snails, flowers, insect traces and pupae cases, burrows, coprolites (fossil poop) and even a pine cone. The current focus of our research is on a number of fossil eggs containing embryos and the unique circumstances that brought about this preservation.
Pecoraro, Danielle - Blasdell, NY - Danielle and her mother, Marilyn, have owned Wild Birds Unlimited in Blasdell, NY for 21 years, though their love for nature began many years prior. In 1987, Danielle bought Marilyn her first Golden Guide to birds in the Allegany State Park Gift Shop. Ten years later, Marilyn opened Wild Birds Unlimited near the McKinley Mall in Blasdell. Danielle graduated from the University at Buffalo in 2000 with a BA in Math & Economics and joined her mother at the store. Danielle became part owner in 2005 and can't imagine doing anything else. Danielle had no idea at the age of 10, how the purchase of a $3 book would change the course of her life forever. Danielle is thrilled to be presenting at the Pilgrimage for the second year and sharing her love of birdfeeding. Who knows, maybe the life of someone else will be changed this weekend!
Podet, Allen - Williamsville, NY - Ph.D. & DHL & DD, he has been leading field trips at Pilgrimage for 20 years. Dr. Podet learned about ferns through classes, clinics & experience. When not at Allegany State Park, Dr. Podet is a professor in the philosophy and humanities departments at Buffalo State College.
Podet, Valerie Jill - Williamsville, NY - Valerie Jill has been leading Pilgrimage walks for over 20 years. She holds an M.S. in zoology and is ABD for a doctorate in geology. The Allegany Nature Pilgrimage is the high light of her year.
Prill, Ellen - Rochester, NY - Ellen is a retired ESL and reading teacher with experience in kayaking and canoeing on flat, moving and whitewater who currently owns 9 boats. She lives on Irondequoit Bay and has a lot of on-the-water experience. Ellen has led boating trips for the Genesee Valley ADK Club and on many informal trips with friends.
Dr. Reilly, Dave - Grand Island, NY - Director of International Studies and chair of the Department of Political Science at Niagara University, where he teaches a variety of courses that include Environmental Thought and Environmental Policy. Together, Nicole and Dave have started the Citizen Coalition for Wildlife and the Environment, a non-profit based in Western New York. The organization’s mission is to be the voice of wildlife and stewards of the environment, to encourage and enlist citizens in the practice and promotion of compassionate coexistence and the realization of a kind and compassionate world, and to use education and action to protect our ecosystems and the lives of animals. Nicole and Dave are Master Naturalist trainees and have developed a number of environmental educational programs for children and adults. They live on Grand Island with their goats, chickens, dogs, and have created native plant habitats for their many wildlife friends.
Rosenburg, Chuck - Elma, NY - Chuck has a B.S. degree in wildlife management from Purdue University and an M.S. degree in biology from the College of William and Mary. His master’s thesis focused on barn owl habitat use, as determined using radio-telemetry. For the first 15 years of his professional career, Chuck worked as a private environmental consultant completing a broad variety of ecological studies. Since 2006, he has served as a wetlands ecologist with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, where he also leads the NYS DEC’s winter raptor study in Region 9. Chuck is an avid birder and has led numerous Owl Prowls for Buffalo Audubon Society and other groups.
Rosenburg, Kristen - Elma, NY- Kristen has always enjoyed spending time outdoors, nurtured by family camping trips to the Adirondacks, Algonquin Provincial Park and Yellowstone National Park. As a child, she attended her very first beaver colony tour and owl prowl at Allegany State Park. While attending graduate school at SUNY-ESF, Kristen returned to Allegany State Park to conduct field research studying beaver behavior. After completing a master's degree in wildlife biology, she has been employed since 2000 by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as an Environmental Educator at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve in Depew, NY.
Rosten, Marcus - Tonawanda, NY - Inspired after spending many summers camping in green cabins, he attended SUNY ESF and graduated with a degree in Environmental Education and Interpretation. Currently Marcus works for Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper where he works to protect and restore the Niagara River Watershed. Previously he was a Fish and Wildlife Technician with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NYS DEC, and was an educator at Reinstein Woods Nature Center, the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, and Grand Canyon National Park.
Rutherford, Heather - Medina, NY- earned her NC Environmental Education Certification and MEd in Science Education while teaching fourth and second grades in North Carolina. Back in NY, she is on a quest to become a better naturalist by learning from others and taking time to observe changes and animal behaviors through her photography.
Stark, Hazel and Joe Horn are Co-Founders of Maine Outdoor School, L3C. They are passionate about the natural world and getting people curious and excited about the outdoors. Connecting science concepts outdoors through fun and games is a key part of their work!
Taylor, Garrett - Salamanca, NY - Amateur mycologist and mushroom photographer: @fungee on iNaturalist, @cappy on mushroomobserver.org. Current member of the following NAMA mushroom clubs: WNYMC, WPaMC, CPaMC, RAMA and MST. Interested in clarifying and cataloging all the diversity we can see with the naked eye.
Thompson, Craig - Falconer, NY- learned his birds on France Brook Road while still in grammar school. He was a teacher/naturalist at Jamestown’s Audubon Community Nature Center in 1978-79 and thereafter served as an Environmental Educator for 34 years with NYS Department of Environmental Conservation in Albany. He is the Vice Chair of the Audubon Council of New York State.
Tuttle, Blair - Fairview, PA - A professor of Physics at Penn State Behrend. He and his family have attended the Allegany Nature Pilgrimage since 2002. Recently, he has been examining the nano-structural materials which create iridescent coloring in a variety of animals.
Tuttle, Siegrid - Fairview, PA - Siegrid Tuttle is a rising senior at Fairview High School who went to a survival camp called Coyote Tracks for six years and interned at that camp. She spent last semester at a school in Wisconsin focused on environmental stewardship. She is very excited to teach interested kids and adults basic survival skills!
Urbanski-Farrell, Liz - Buffalo, NY-has been an avid birder since her first effort to put salt on a robin's tail as a toddler. Originally a journalist, writer and editor by training and trade, Ms. Urbanski-Farrell holds a minor concentration in fine art from Buffalo State College and enjoys trying new ways of involving children and adults in art and the natural world, has participated in the Allegany Nature Pilgrimage with her family for 20 years. She has been a Cub Scout leader and is currently a member of the parent committee for Boy Scout Troop 5 and Sea Scout Ship 1 in Buffalo, NY and is director of member services and government relations for the Western New York Healthcare Association.
Vaillancourt-Alder, Andrea - Derby, NY - Andrea has been sharing her passion for the outdoors and conservation for over three decades. A native western New Yorker she is a Leave No Trace Master Educator and has had many exciting experiences working around the globe in country parks, zoos, botanical gardens, national parks, community gardens and more. Andrea lived and worked in the United Kingdom for twenty years encouraging stewardship of the environment through holistic education conservation programming and community development linked to the reclamation and restoration of public spaces. Andrea relocated back to Western NY five years ago and owns Seabirds International, www.seabirds.co, a paddle sports instruction company that incorporates leave no trace principles into each session. Additionally Andrea has trained UB students and SCA members to become LNT Trainers and is excited to be back in the states sharing her love of and for our planet!
Wellman, Adele - Salamanca, NY - I am the Environmental Educator for the Allegany region after working at Allegany State Park as a naturalist since 2000. My degree is in Biology and Horticulture. I am happiest in the woods and enjoy them from a bike, skis or on foot.
Woodard, Ro - Falconer, NY- Retired NYS Parks Environmental Educator, current Audubon Community Nature Center volunteer, and longtime Girl Scout volunteer.
Wopperer, Jay - Williamsville NY - Graduate of Intermediate Birding, Buffalo Museum of Science. Longtime member of Buffalo Audubon and East Aurora Birding Club & has led many field trips for both.
Wymer, David - Portville, NY - I enjoy sharing the night sky as it is rarely seen these days with anyone who has a passion for nature. I have done astrophotography for many years and was involved in 2 Astronomy organizations in the past. I have been involved in dozens of public events to share views of the planets, stars and deep sky objects including many years at ANP.