Staff

At Wild Whatcom, we take great pride in the quality and training of our mentors. We believe it to be one of the things that sets our organization apart. In addition to mentors coming to Wild Whatcom with a wealth of varied experience—such as multiple years in other outdoor programs, counseling, social work, and teaching in public schools, to name a few—mentors are also provided continuous opportunities for training and expanding their skill sets as environmental educators, mentors, and program managers.

All of our staff holds either a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification. Financial support is also provided for each staff member to either receive and/or keep their certification up-to-date. In addition to environmental education and youth development training, we provide annual behavior management and mandated reporter trainings with outside experts in their fields.

In addition to staff training, Wild Whatcom has an extensive Risk Management Plan containing the guidelines and policies upon which staff rely to facilitate safe outdoor experiences. Wild Whatcom’s Risk Management Team meets twice monthly to discuss any recent risk-related scenarios (physical, behavioral, socio-emotional, environmental, etc.) to discuss what policies are in place to mitigate risk, as well as how we can continue to improve our risk management through policy creation, research, preparedness, and mentor training. We continue to invest in our staff and risk management to avoid and/or mitigate risk in scenarios in the field.

Interested in joining our team? Visit our employment page.

Featured

Adam Brayton

School Programs Coordinator & Mentor

Adam grew up in Santa Cruz, California, where as a young child he splashed in creeks under the shade of redwood trees, roamed around the live oaks on the chaparral, and licked the occasional banana slug.

After a surprisingly indoorsy adolescence, he rediscovered his love of the outdoors while attending Whitman College, where he received a B.A. in Environmental Humanities and Rhetoric and Media Studies. Following a spirit of curiosity and adventure, Adam travelled far and wide. Eventually he found his passion for outdoor and environmental education while working with organizations in Texas and Southern California. Before long he returned to the Pacific Northwest to pursue an M.Ed. in Environmental Education at Western Washington University (WWU).

Adam feels lucky to have had so many opportunities to get out in nature and seeks to empower others in doing the same.
In his free time, you can find Adam daydreaming about future bicycle tours, running up steep hills, losing at cribbage, and cooking up something scrumptious.

He/Him/His

adamb@wildwhatcom.org

Adam Yost

Explorers Club Coordinator & Mentor

Adam has always felt a deep connection with the mountains and forests and rivers of the Pacific Northwest. He has been a builder for many years, but most recently a stay-at-home dad.

Adam’s greatest joy is his wife and two daughters, and with them, he loves exploring all that this beautiful area has to offer. He believes in the importance of adventures both big and small, and it is this idea that drew him to Wild Whatcom.

Besides being outside with his family, Adam spends his time riding his bike, drinking coffee, reading, playing chess, and scratching away at the fiddle.

He/Him/His

adam@wildwhatcom.org

Amye Bronson-Doherty

Development and Communications Manager

Amye considers herself equally connected to Washington state, where she’s built a family, and New Mexico, where her family of origin is rooted.

While she once dreamed of becoming a naturalist, she ended up studying writing and film and dedicating her working and volunteer life to non-profits and public service. Amye loves collaborating with others to create positive change. Environmental stewardship and social equity are her guiding lights, so Wild Whatcom is a community that speaks to her heart.

Being outside has always brought her peace, joy, and wonder - and shinrin-yoku or forest bathing (aka woodsin’) which is absolutely essential to her well-being. Amye is nuts for trees, visiting them almost every day, and taking far too many pictures of them. She’s also a story nerd (books and indie movies), hot drink enthusiast, and huge fan of laughing.

She/Her/Hers

amye@wildwhatcom.org

Anna Friederich

Mentor

Anna grew up in western Washington, spending equal amounts of time in the ocean and in the mountains. They spent their time getting dirty and finding their love for everything outdoors and exploring how those things worked with their brother.

While in university they took that love further to explore connections between people and place as well as helping people get access to outdoor spaces. They have recently graduated with a B.A. in Environmental Education and are excited to continue the work they have done for their degree as they share joy about the world.

You can find them out in the wild creating, making food, getting really excited about tide pools, eating snow, doing every sport ever made for the outdoors and trying to live out of a backpack whenever possible.

They/Them/Theirs

anna@wildwhatcom.org

Chris Peñuelas

Mentor

Chris grew up playing on the beaches and in the mountains of the Salish Sea region. They got their degree in environmental education from Western Washington University (WWU) and have since spent the last few years working in the field in Bellingham (with Wild Whatcom) and then in Portland. They are excited to be back in Whatcom County and back involved with Wild Whatcom.

They/Them/Theirs

chrisp@wildwhatcom.org

Drew Edmonds

Mentor

Ever since Drew started a neighborhood summer sports camp as a high schooler in Portland, OR, he has been passionate about playful outdoor engagement with young people. Since then, they have brought this enthusiasm for outdoor education to urban farms, after school garden clubs, forest trails, bike lanes, and soccer fields.

Drew also spent years as a union organizer in Portland, building relationships with workers in food service and taking collective action for dignity and self-determination on the job. They just moved to Bellingham in the beginning of 2023 to continue with this work, as well as to grow food and community in Whatcom County.

In his free time, he enjoys discussing books with his brother, running around next to streams, and sharing meals with friends. Drew graduated from Whitman College in 2017, majoring in Politics.

He/Him/His or They/ Them/Theirs

drew@wildwhatcom.org

Holly Roger

Community Programs Staff & Co-Founder

Holly's been a bug watcher and nature nerd all her life. As a child growing up in SE Michigan, she roamed fields and creeks searching for garter snakes and pollywogs. On one of those expeditions (usually with a pack of other kids) she discovered a creature under a rock, a creature so mysterious that it ignited a curiosity about the natural world that is still present today. She's been studying nature and reading field guides for fun ever since, collecting a BA from Western Washington University (WWU) along the way.

For Holly, the Land is our teacher and time spent in nature is healing and the learning resonates on multiple levels if we can slow down, listen to the birds, and observe the nature around us. Her goals are to nourish your sense of wonder and support your connections with nature.

Curious about this mystery creature? It was smaller than a bullfrog and it had four legs, smooth black skin with yellow spots, and a tail, and it was found in a dark, damp spot. Email your guess to me!

She/Her/Hers

holly@wildwhatcom.org

Kate Kohut

Community & Volunteer Programs Manager

Kate is passionate about connecting others with the natural world and has spent her career working to increase inclusion and accessibility for historically excluded groups in outdoor spaces.

She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Conservation Biology at the University of Rhode Island, where an ornithology class sparked her passion for birding, an interest which deeply shapes her relationship with the natural world. After graduating, Kate worked for several non-profits as an environmental educator, connecting kids with local nature by teaching in-school outreach programs, field trips, seasonal camps, and community programs. After working to open a brand new urban nature center in Salt Lake, her next step was earning a Master's of Natural Resources specializing in Science Communication in McCall, Idaho.

As a lover of rain and cloudy weather, settling down in the PNW was always Kate's main goal. She is so thrilled to make the move from Portland, Oregon to Bellingham, where she hopes to continue connecting people of all ages with the natural world through inclusive, accessible, and unique community programs.

In her spare time, Kate can be found taking it slow outside, birding, doing pottery, playing with her pup, Suki, or cooking delicious dinners!

She/Her/Hers

kate@wildwhatcom.org

Kay Taylor

Summer Camps & Operations Manager

Kay grew up tromping around in the Tillamook Forest in Northwest Oregon, loving cool, drizzly days, and jumping into cold bodies of water the moment temperatures approached 80 degrees.

She first began volunteering in environmental education around the age of 7, handing props to audience participants during her mom's naturalist presentations. Since then, her enthusiasm for this work has only grown, from working in inclusive summer camps, to tour guiding in Montana and Alaska, teaching environmental education and building leadership skills in the Berkshires, and leading school trips through the Australian bush. Kay has shared her enthusiasm for nature throughout all of these experiences, losing her mind over the majesty of bears, whales and mountains, and that magical way fog sticks to trees.

She/Her/Hers

kay@wildwhatcom.org

Kiana Jenkins

Mentor

Kiana grew up in Southern California where she discovered the beauty of the mountains and waters in and around Ojai/Ventura. Along with her three older brothers, she spent time backpacking, rock hopping along the creek, and splashing around in the salt water. As a child, she learned to foster a connection with the land and carried that care with her.

During her time at University, Kiana dove into permaculture and sustainability and later used that knowledge to receive a BS in Environmental Management and Protection. Since then, she has been playing in various landscapes with children, teaching about the way water moves, how the lands change, and how we are all connected in this beautiful life. Kiana hopes to use her passion to continue to fight for social and environmental change, making equity and accessibility a top priority.

You can usually find Kiana cozied up reading a book with her cat, cooking an eclectic meal in the kitchen, diving deep into her own culture, or searching for the next swell to surf.

She/Her/Hers or They/Them/Theirs

kiana@wildwhatcom.org

Lisa Meucci

Registrar

Lisa is one of the original Explorers Club parents and is thrilled to be working with Wild Whatcom. She is a lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest, born and raised east of the mountains.

Lisa came to Bellingham to attend Western Washington University (WWU) and graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Science from Huxley College (now known as the College of the Environment). She's been here ever since. Her work roots are in resource conservation and providing outreach services for recycling and composting (FoodPlus!) programs.

Lisa lives within walking distance of Fairhaven, downtown Bellingham, and WWU. She is an avid trail runner and hiker, loves to sleep outside, and is grateful for adventure time, visits home to the other side of the state, and backpack trips with family and friends.

She/Her/Hers

lisa@wildwhatcom.org

Lydia Houston

Mentor

Growing up in a family passionate about camping and backpacking, Lydia has been spending time outdoors her whole life. She has been working in environmental restoration and nature education since 2018, when she graduated from Western Washington University with a B.S. in Environmental Science. It is her dream to spread the same sense of wonder in the natural world she received as a child to others.

In their spare time, Lydia enjoys drawing, hiking, and caring for their pet rats.

She/Her/Hers or They/Them/Theirs

lydia@wildwhatcom.org

Mabel Miller

Mentor

Mabel was born and raised in Portland, Oregon where they spent hours running, traversing, and lounging around in city parks. A true summer camp kid, they spent their time away from the city falling in love with forests, lakes, and rivers, as well as all the creatures that inhabit them.

Mabel graduated with a bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Fairhaven College. They are excited to be working within their field and doing one of the things they love most--hanging with cool kids outside. When Mabel isn’t working you can find them in their garden, climbing real and fake rocks, or in their kitchen cooking a yummy meal with friends.

They/Them/Theirs

mabel@wildwhatcom.org

Maia Kreis

Mentor

Maia grew up in the Pacific Northwest where she developed a love and passion for the natural world while hiking and camping with her family.

While pursuing her Biology degree from the University of Washington, she quickly realized sharing that passion and knowledge of the outdoors was one of the best feelings! Since graduating, Maia has cultivated her Environmental Education career, inspiring a sense of wonder and awe in students from Oregon and California all the way to Virginia!

In her free time, you might find Maia crouched down to the ground, looking at an interesting invertebrate or patch of moss, tide pooling, hiking, reading, crocheting, or snuggling with her cats.

She/Her/Hers

maia@wildwhatcom.org

Mike Sidwell

Program Director

Mike grew up in Port Angeles on the Olympic Peninsula where his love for the outdoors began. Mike loves to do pretty much anything and everything outdoors, and is lucky to have an incredible partner
and 7-year-old that share his love for the outdoors. Mike has had the opportunity to work with a wide range of populations in a variety of outdoor settings and has seen the positive impact the outdoors can have on the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of participants.

After attaining a Recreation Management degree at Western Washington University (WWU), Mike went on to manage outdoor recreation programs before returning to the University of Washington to pursue a Masters Degree in Education at IslandWood. The program’s emphasis on equity and serving marginalized populations had a big influence on Mike and encouraged him to focus on supporting the education of marginalized youth.

After most recently supporting families and students in need at Nooksack Valley School District, Mike is excited to join the Wild Whatcom team and focus on getting more people outside and connected to our beautiful natural environment in Whatcom County!

He/Him/His

mike@wildwhatcom.org

Natalie Schmidt

Mentor

Natalie is so happy to be a part of the Wild Whatcom team! Natalie has a background in teaching, specifically science teaching. She believes in connecting people with the outdoors and all its wonder and beauty.

When Natalie is not working, she can be found hiking or paddleboarding with her dog, Arlo.

She/Her/Hers or They/Them/Theirs

natalie@wildwhatcom.org

Nick Engelfried

Mentor

Nick grew up in the Pacific Northwest chasing grasshoppers and turning over rocks to look for bugs in his family's backyard. He received his undergraduate degree in environmental studies at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, then moved to Missoula, Montana where he continued his education and spent time exploring the spectacular mountain landscapes of that state.

Nick recently completed his M.Ed. in Environmental Education from Western Washington University. As part of that experience he spent over a year living in North Cascades National Park working with the public and learning about the unique natural history of this bioregion.

In his spare time Nick enjoys hiking, backpacking, bird watching, and observing the changing of the seasons in beautiful northwest Washington. He is passionate about sharing a love for wild things with the people around him and excited to pursue this goal as a mentor at Wild Whatcom.

He/Him/His

nick@wildwhatcom.org

Nicola Follis

School Programs Coordinator & Mentor

Nicola grew up in Bellingham where exploration of the North Cascades and the Salish Sea formed a wonder-filled emotional connection to the world. She became further enamored with Earth’s natural beauty and the power of passionate people through education, traveling to new and wonderful places, and teaching.

Nicola holds a BA in Aquatic and Fisheries Science from the University of Washington and a M. Ed. of Environmental Education from Western Washington University. She has taught environmental education in the Dominican Republic, Catalina Island in California, Orcas Island, and the North Cascades.

Nicola is excited to work for Wild Whatcom where she is inspired to teach and learn about the interconnectedness between history, culture, identity, and the more-than-human world.

Nicola spends her free time in search of breathtaking mountain views (often admiring mountain goats’ assumed ease of travel), pursuing her dream of becoming an ocean mermaid by exploring above and below the surface of the sea, appreciating plants and algae, and attempting to paint her adventures in watercolor.

She/Her/Hers

nicola@wildwhatcom.org

Nicole Keeler

School Programs Manager & Mentor

Nicole was raised in northeast Indiana where she spent most of her days singing, dancing, and reading. It was reading that sparked her love of adventure and environmental stewardship - particularly an article she read in 7th grade about the impact of sea turtles as by-catch.

Ultimately, that article inspired Nicole to pursue a B.S. in Biology and move to coastal Georgia to work at a sea turtle hospital. There, she discovered her love of environmental education and went on to work as a naturalist, eventually becoming a Master Naturalist through the University of Georgia.

Excited about landing in the PNW, Nicole can often be found hiking with her sweet border collie, bird watching, and exploring the immense natural beauty Bellingham has to offer.

She/Her/Hers

nicole@wildwhatcom.org

Rachel Budelsky

Operations Director

Rachel hails from southern Illinois, where a childhood spent catching bugs and getting muddy cemented her desire to be a biologist when she grew up.

She obtained a BA in Zoology, a masters in Ecology, and a PhD in Conservation Biology, working as a research scientist for many years.

Happily transplanted to the Pacific Northwest in 2005, she spends as much time as possible outside with her husband and two children. Watching her children’s transformation into their best selves with the guidance of Wild Whatcom’s mentors made her realize that she wanted to be part of Wild Whatcom too! Rachel joined the Wild Whatcom team in spring 2014 and lives happily ever after.

She/Her/Hers

rachel@wildwhatcom.org

Ruby Volker

Nature Preschool Coordinator

Ruby grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, where from a young age she fell in love with the outdoors through family camping trips, hikes, rafting excursions, climbing days, and lots of skiing.

She moved to Bellingham to attend Western Washington University where she graduated with a B.A. in Communication Studies and fell more in love with the nature that the PNW had to offer.

Ruby loves working with children, as she has done for many years. She is passionate about helping connect people to nature and to learn all of the fascinating things nature has to offer.

She/Her/Hers

ruby@wildwhatcom.org

Sammy Jolly

Executive Director

Sammy hails from the not-so-wilds of the greater Chicago area. It was in college that she truly developed her passion for outdoor recreation, wilderness medicine, and environmental sustainability. While earning a B.A. in Religious Studies at Kalamazoo College, Sammy led many outdoor trips, became a certified Wilderness EMT, and set her sights on working in outdoor education.

Since then, Sammy has spent over a decade working in outdoor and environmental education, focusing much of her career on program and organizational development. As a long time staff member of Wild Whatcom, she has watched the organization evolve and flourish. From Mentor to Executive Director, Sammy has been grateful to grow alongside Wild Whatcom and is committed to continuing to support the organization's work to make nature connection possible for every member of our community.

She/Her/Hers

sammy@wildwhatcom.org

Sarah McHugh

Mentor

Sarah was born and raised in Colorado where she found her love of nature through camping, hiking, and trail running. She earned her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Colorado State University and is passionate about helping children develop their own appreciation for the outdoors.

When she isn't working, you can find her running, hiking, exploring local beaches, and starting new projects around the house.

They/Them/Theirs

sarah@wildwhatcom.org

Shelby Kita

Mentor

Shelby was born and raised in Oahu, Hawaii where she spent a lot of time exploring the beaches and hiking through the mountains. Shelby has always appreciated nature. Her desire to help care for the environment led her to Western Washington University (WWU) where she graduated with a BS in Environmental Science.

During college, Shelby discovered the power of education through an internship with the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) and got more education experience by completing two AmeriCorps service terms with NSEA and the City of Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department.

When she's not working, she enjoys going on nature walks, hiking, swimming, and crocheting.

She/Her/Hers

shelby@wildwhatcom.org

Stormie Ek Romero

Explorers Club Program Manager & Mentor

As a child, Stormie spent her time building fairy houses, chopping wood, climbing trees, and swimming in lakes and rivers. Pennsylvania-born, Stormie's childhood was filled with forests, waterfalls, foxes, and nettles. She spent her summers in New Mexico and Colorado, painting herself in the mud of the Rio Grande and riding horses in the Vallecito Valley. Her love of nature was fostered at a very young age by a fearless mother, a mountain-man father, and many other soft-stepping, sure-footed family and friends.

Stormie holds a Bachelor of Science in History from Skidmore College and a Wilderness First Responder certification through NOLS. She spent much of her twenties globe-trotting and working as a manager for various organic farms across New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington. She has worked at Wild Whatcom since 2015 and has been in Explorers Club leadership since 2017. One of her greatest joys in life is mentoring with her EC groups and watching them connect and grow over the course of many years.

When Stormie isn't fiddling in her garden or reading a book, you can probably find her out on the trails, snuggling a dog, or painting something

She/Her/Hers and They/Them Theirs

stormie@wildwhatcom.org

Thumper Ormerod

Explorers Club Coordinator & Mentor

Thumper grew up in Portland, Oregon, where they absolutely refused to get muddy. However, falling in love with camps in the Pacific Northwest has a tendency to teach an appreciation for stodgy earth. After moving to Bellingham in 2017, they wound up in graduate school completely by accident, and had such a fun time that they decided to stay.

Thumper thinks that the most important part of spending time in the outdoors is getting to know your own heart and forming bonds with other people. When they aren't playing games or tromping through the woods, they like to draw cartoons.

They/Them/Theirs

thumper@wildwhatcom.org

Tessa Bolon

Mentor

Tessa believes that nature is integral to the human experience. Whether it's hiking 15 miles in the backcountry or connecting with houseplants, each person connects with nature differently.

Because of this Tessa, is passionate about helping people figure out how they connect to nature, and what stewarding the environment looks like for them. She connects with nature through morning walks, admiring plants (both indoor and outdoor), and attempting to identify bird calls. Photo to come.

She/Her/Hers or They/Them/Theirs

tessa@wildwhatcom.org

Interns

None at this time