Educators

Meet the Young Naturalist Team!

ESF Coordinator for the Young Naturalist Program

Olivia Whitmarsh, MS

Olivia's (she/her) path to environmentalism and community engagement started early, including writing an anti-littering memo to her elementary school’s newsletter in second grade. Since then, she’s obtained two degrees in science education, worked in classrooms, summer camps, afterschool programs, and college campuses, and broadened her knowledge of what it takes to preserve a planet we all want to live on. Olivia currently serves as K-12 Outreach Coordinator within ESF’s K-12 Outreach unit and supports college and K-12 students in finding their voice and purpose in accessing environmentalism. She is proud to serve as the ESF Coordinator for the Young Naturalist program, guiding student employees and supporting community partners to strengthen the next generations of environmentalists.

Outgoing Field Coordinator:

Julia Payment

Hi all! My name is Julia, I am a second conservation biology student at ESF with a minor in water resources. My passions lie in the natural ecology in the greater Syracuse area, and I am thrilled to be able to support the community through educational outreach. I’m super excited to be working with you as YN’s field coordinator this year- please let me know if you have any questions or ideas for any upcoming events!

Social Media, Marketing, and Communications Intern:

Jillian Scocca

Hi, my name is Jillian (she/her) and I am a soon-to-be senior majoring in Environmental Education and Interpretation. I am from Long Island, NY, and a fun fact about me is that I was SUNY ESF's Earth Week Graphic Designer this year!

Young Naturalist Teaching Team:

Ferran Amaral

Ferran Amaral (he/him) is currently a sophomore majoring in Chemistry with a minor in Environmental Health. Apart from that he has a passion for education and loves to work with kids and teach them about their environment. Originally from the Chicago area, Ferran has worked at an ecology centered camp for the past three summers and has developed his abilities.

“Being a part of the Young Naturalists Leadership Team is very special to me because it combines two of my biggest interests, environmental education and working with kids. I initially joined the club SEEC at ESF and through them I was exposed to YNLT. I also really enjoy being able to work with my friends who share my passions.”

Renee Marcks

Renee Marcks (she/her) is a student majoring in Conservation Biology who began working with Young Naturalist because she believes in the importance of educating the next generation about why the environment is important. "If children don't grow up caring for the environment, there will be no one left to protect it. The more people know about the environment the more connection they will have to it and the more they will want to take care of it."

One fun fact about Renee is that she horseback rides!

Leah Brabant

Leah Brabant (she/her) is student majoring in Landscape Architecture. Leah joined Young Naturalist to be part of showing young kids the joys of science and the outdoors

A fun fact about Leah is that her best friend is her dog, Echo!

 

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