MISSION
The Idaho Environmental Education Association is dedicated to the advancement of environmental education in Idaho. We support and promote the activities of all educators working to clarify our understanding of the natural world and our role in it.
IdEEA is a 501(C)3 non-profit and serves as a network for EE Educators across the State of Idaho.
MEET THE BOARD
Tate grew up in the Pacific Northwest devoted to the outdoors. He studied biology at Western Washington University and then earned a Master’s degree in Raptor Biology from Boise State University. In working as an ornithologist, primarily studying owls and songbirds, Tate recognized the critical importance of engaging the general public with the objectives of scientific research. With a passion to conserve biodiversity around the world, Tate now serves as Director of The Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho.
JULIE SCANLIN
Board Vice President
Julie is an Idaho native who grew up on a farm in North Idaho. As farming duties would allow, her family hunted, fished, and camped for recreation. Her environmental connections, framework and ethic are founded in those experiences. Idaho’s land and natural resources have continuously provided a living and quality of life for which she will always be grateful and she feels a strong obligation to give back to and protect “our home” in any way she can – she has chosen education as that vehicle. Julie has a teaching degree from University of Idaho (UI) and did masters studies at UI as well in natural resources to enhance her knowledge base and skills. She has been an environmental education practitioner for over 25 years and an active and long-term member of IdEEA. Julie is in support of Idaho’s environment, those who work and live off the land, and those who share in the work of enhancing knowledge and connections to our natural world.
CURTIS EVANS
Secretary
Curtis Evans is the Education Coordinator with the Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey. He is passionate about science, education, and nature. Find Curtis at your local Scottish jam session where he plays accordion.
JOHN MAKI
Treasurer/Grants
Experienced, trustworthy, fun. These are just a few of the ways we describe this invaluable member of our team. John Maki's background in finance and banking are crucial to IdEEA's success.
ALEX BROOKS
Social Media/Grants
Alex Brooks is the Education Manager for Boise Parks and Rec. She is passionate about offering outdoor exploration opportunities to the youth of the Treasure Valley. Her goal is to create a connection between community members and the outdoors to conserve this beautiful ecosystem. Alex received her B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Idaho and her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the McCall Outdoor Science School. She served as a Peace Corps environmental volunteer in Nicaragua and an Americorps member in Boise before entering her current position.
MISHA SMITH
Misha grew up in the woods of North Idaho, and spent her childhood exploring the outdoors. She received her teaching degree from the University of Idaho, and earned her masters degree in Economics Education from Boise State University. She has taught 6th grade at Hawthorne Elementary in Boise since 1998 and loves to get her students outdoors and into the field as much as possible. Her mission is to inspire curiosity, critical thinking and problem solving in her students, as well as help them see their connection with the natural world. She uses a variety of inquiry projects, field experiences, and connections with local and global experts to empower students to take action. In her free time she can be found exploring the great state of Idaho and beyond while camping, hiking, rafting, and visiting as many state and national parks as possible!
Webmaster
JANICE ALEXANDER
Newsletter
Janice Alexander is the Environmental Education Program Coordinator at the Boise Urban Garden School. She has also worked at the Discovery Center of Idaho and the University of California managing STEM and environmental education programs. She grew up in Northern California and received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Environmental Science from U.C. Berkeley before beginning a career in outreach and education. She loves the outdoors, cooking, sci-fi, and laughing with her friends.
JILLEN EIJCKELHOF
Database
Jillien developed a deep and soulful connection to the natural world backpacking the Colorado wilderness as a child. A longtime Treasure Valley resident, Jillien extended the “leave no trace” ethos of her childhood into establishing the Zero Waste Boise Institute in 2018. Currently an adjunct faculty member in the Environmental Studies department at BSU, Jillien’s graduate work focused on developing and evaluating curricula to advance the concept of environmental literacy among students of all ages. She is delighted to join the team of dedicated educators who comprise the IdEEA board.
EMMA STAMMER
Communications
Passionate about hands-on learning and community involvement, Emma has worked as an environmental educator and volunteer coordinator for many years. After living in Oregon, Washington and Alaska, Emma found her way to Idaho. Emma currently is the State Manager of the Idaho Conservation Corps, an organization that focuses on experiential environmental learning and job experience.
TERRY RICH
Terry has a BS in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an MS in Zoology from Idaho State University, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Policy from Boise State University. Terry worked for the Bureau of Land Management for 20 years and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for 15 years. He coordinated the international bird conservation partnership, Partners in Flight, from 2000 to 2014. Terry currently writes a weekly column on birds for the Idaho Press, and has given a monthly program on birds at the Foothills Learning Center for the past six years. Hopefully, these in-person programs will resume soon. Terry is an Honorary Life-time Member of the American Ornithological Society. He and his wife, kids, and grandkids all live in the Treasure Valley.
Communications
ERICA HERMSEN
Membership
Erica grew up riding horses in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains outside of Seattle, WA. Her love of nature and animals led her to pursue a B.A in Environmental Education from Western Washington University and an M.S in Conservation Biology from Antioch University New England. Erica worked as an educator for Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo before spending nearly a year conducting cheetah conservation research in Kenya. Her work as an educator and conservationist culminated with the launch of EverWild Forest School in Boise, ID in late 2020. By providing critical education and nature connection opportunities to her community’s youngest residents, Erica hopes to help develop the next generation of engaged global citizens.
SUSAN WOLFE
Susan Wolfe, MAT, Ed.S, is a Gifted and Talented Specialist in Boise, Idaho. As an elementary student, Susan was fascinated by the stories of explorers, maps, and historic photographs, and identified with the insatiable curiosity and passion for exploration. Raised in Colorado and Idaho by an outdoorsman father and a mother with a love of animals, Susan was magnetically drawn to wildlife, outdoor photography, travel, and outdoor adventure. As a Title I public school elementary educator most of her career, Susan has been successfully teaching a 5/6 multi-grade, self-contained gifted and talented classroom for many years. She believes that understanding how our world works, our place in it, and actions that will keep it healthy are vital to educating and inspiring the future stewards of our planet. She teaches environmental education by looking for ways to connect global issues utilizing a local lens. Using inquiry, project-based learning, and community partnerships, her students apply a curiosity-driven, geographic perspective to solve real-world problems. Often this involves “boots on the ground” field experiences to collect data, and authentically practice what they learn in the classroom. Susan is a local, regional, and national presenter and the recipient of numerous awards including the Oregon Elementary History Teacher of the Year, Idaho - Association for Gifted Gem Award, numerous Boise Rotary Century Scholars Program Significant Educator Award. Recently, she was selected a 2021 Grosvenor Teacher Fellow and serves as a National Geographic Certification Facilitator, Geo-Inquiry Ambassador, and is a former National Geographic State Advisor.
Membership/Grants
CHRIS TAYLOR
Awards
Chris Taylor has been in education as either a teacher, principal or district administrator for the last 25 years. He has taught all grade levels from 2nd - 9th grade, taught as adjunct faculty at Boise State University, and served as the science, sustainability, and computer science curriculum supervisor for the Boise School District. He has been an active board member of many organizations, such as the Idaho Science Teachers Association, Boise City Club, and Idaho State Museum. He was an integral member of the state committee that wrote and passed the new state science standards, and has worked with both in service and preservice teachers throughout the state helping them implement phenomenon based inquiry in science. Chris has also worked with many community partners throughout the Northwest to help students in the Boise School District be actively involved in topics such as climate change, civility, and sustainability. He has a master’s in
Educational Administration, recently completed his Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership at Boise State University, and has completed his doctorate in education. He hopes to continue to help all districts in the state of Idaho effectively implement the new Idaho State Science Standards and bring more STEM opportunities in their K-12 classrooms.
AUGIE GABRIELLI
Programming
Augie is a Water Education Coordinator at the WaterShed Environmental Education Center. He is committed to delivering and developing environmental education programs in Idaho. He has a BS in Environmental Science and an MS in Natural Resources from the University of Idaho. Prior to working at the WaterShed, Augie worked for the Boise School District, did water quality research in South America, attended the McCall Outdoor Science School as a graduate student, and served as an AmeriCorps member for the City of Boise. He was born and raised in Idaho and loves skiing, golfing, hiking, and hanging with his dog, Tessa.
BECKY FEEKES
Programming
Becky Feekes is the Secondary Science Academic Coach for the West Ada School District. She previously spent 16 years teaching high school science and now works with science teachers to help move science education forward in the Treasure Valley. She holds a BS in Biology and Masters degrees in Curriculum & Instruction and Educational Leadership. Becky is married to a veteran of the Air Force and has two step daughters, one son, and two granddaughters. Her family has been in Idaho for six generations which has helped foster her deep love for the state and all of its wild places.
Dick Jordan is a lifelong biologist, outdoor enthusiast, conservationist and river rat. In 2015, he retired from Timberline High School after 35 years teaching biology, chemistry and environmental science. Dick introduced both regular and AP Environmental Science into the Boise School District and was selected by the China Environmental Global Alliance to teach environmental science to master teachers in Beijing, China. He has won many awards including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math & Science Teaching, the Governor’s Award for Innovative Teaching in STEM, Siemens Advanced Placement Award, NABT’s Outstanding Biology Teacher Award, and Defenders of Wildlife’s Environmental Hero Award. Dick has written multiple grants to fund his programs including TREE (an ecology/outdoor club network), Outside Day, Ignite the Change, Campfire Connection and a district wide sustainability program. He has taken students on countless field trips during his career including multi-day whitewater rafting trips on the Salmon, Snake & Payette Rivers and 15 student groups to research stations in Belize and Ecuador. Needless to say, he is totally committed to getting kids outdoors and excited about nature. Dick loves whitewater rafting (having guided for over 40 years), mountain biking, scuba diving, hiking and helping his wife, Julie, make their tiny urban farm and mountain cabin more sustainable.
DICK JORDAN
Director
TATE MASON
Board President