About Us

Staff

Nancy H. DeStefanis
Founder and Executive Director

Nancy is an environmental educator, field ornithologist and lecturer. She discovered the first documented nesting of great blue herons in the city of San Francisco in 1993 and monitored the colony for the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory.

She is a firm believer in the philosophy of Mrs. Elizabeth Terwilliger, renowned founder of Marin County environmental education programs for youth: "Teach a child to love nature because adults take care of the things they love." With these words in mind, Nancy created environmental education programs for Kindergarten through 3rd graders in San Francisco schools, starting in year 2000.

Nancy has lectured on natural history and wildlife throughout the Bay Area, including the San Francisco Botanical Garden (Strybing Arboretum), Randall Science Museum (San Francisco) California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco Public Library and Oakland Museum. She has taught Adult and Junior Academy classes at the California Academy of Sciences and Audubon Canyon Ranch.

She is the narrator of the DVD "Heron Island" (1998-IDG films) directed by Emmy award winner Judy Irving. She also narrarates and co-stars in the new short film "Great Blue Herons of Golden Gate Park, directed by Rick Bacigalupi for Bay Nature Magazine on the Air. She is the director and producer of the short film "Above the Nests," the story of a Marin Audubon Society volunteer, Helen Pratt's 30 year study of the egrets and herons at Audubon Canyon Ranch. Nancy is the co-author of the song (with Sharon Walters) "My Blue Herons."

Nancy was named outstanding volunteer by San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory and in 2005, received the Jefferson Award for Public Service.

Nancy was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1980. Her experience also includes serving as a community organizer for the United Farm Workers Union and as Executive Director of California Women's Lawyers.

Tom Prete
Associate Director

Tom's primary responsibilities are development, communications and administration. He is also responsible for curriculum development for the school program.

Tom is the former editorial-page editor of the San Francisco Examiner and former managing editor of the San Francisco Independent newspaper. He also served as publications and communications manager of the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association.

Tom has lived in San Francisco since 1975.

Tina Lui
School Program Coordinator

School Program Coordinator Tina Lui met Executive Director Nancy DeStefanis at a cafe, and was drawn in by Nancy's description of San Francisco Nature Education programs. Tina has a background in volunteer service, having completed an internship in the Presidio.

"At San Francisco Nature Education I can work with nature and with children, which is what I want to do in the future," Tina says. She particularly likes the fact that SFNE works with underserved schools: "I like being able to give back and let everyone have an equal chance in learning about nature."

Tina has served as a San Francisco Nature Education naturalist since September 2007.

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Partners Staff Board of Directors Financial Information Contact Us	About Us Staff Nancy H. DeStefanis Founder and Executive Director Nancy is an environmental educator, field ornithologist and lecturer. She discovered the first documented nesting of great blue herons in the city of San Francisco in 1993 and monitored the colony for the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory. She is a firm believer in the philosophy of Mrs. Elizabeth Terwilliger, renowned founder of Marin County environmental education programs for youth: "Teach a child to love nature because adults take care of the things they love." With these words in mind, Nancy created environmental education programs for Kindergarten through 3rd graders in San Francisco schools, starting in year 2000. Nancy has lectured on natural history and wildlife throughout the Bay Area, including the San Francisco Botanical Garden (Strybing Arboretum), Randall Science Museum (San Francisco) California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco Public Library and Oakland Museum. She has taught Adult and Junior Academy classes at the California Academy of Sciences and Audubon Canyon Ranch. She is the narrator of the DVD "Heron Island" (1998-IDG films) directed by Emmy award winner Judy Irving. She also narrarates and co-stars in the new short film "Great Blue Herons of Golden Gate Park, directed by Rick Bacigalupi for Bay Nature Magazine on the Air. She is the director and producer of the short film "Above the Nests," the story of a Marin Audubon Society volunteer, Helen Pratt's 30 year study of the egrets and herons at Audubon Canyon Ranch. Nancy is the co-author of the song (with Sharon Walters) "My Blue Herons." Nancy was named outstanding volunteer by San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory and in 2005, received the Jefferson Award for Public Service. Nancy was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1980. Her experience also includes serving as a community organizer for the United Farm Workers Union and as Executive Director of California Women's Lawyers. Tom Prete Associate Director Tom's primary responsibilities are development, communications and administration. He is also responsible for curriculum development for the school program. Tom is the former editorial-page editor of the San Francisco Examiner and former managing editor of the San Francisco Independent newspaper. He also served as publications and communications manager of the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association. Tom has lived in San Francisco since 1975. Tina Lui School Program Coordinator School Program Coordinator Tina Lui met Executive Director Nancy DeStefanis at a cafe, and was drawn in by Nancy's description of San Francisco Nature Education programs. Tina has a background in volunteer service, having completed an internship in the Presidio. "At San Francisco Nature Education I can work with nature and with children, which is what I want to do in the future," Tina says. She particularly likes the fact that SFNE works with underserved schools: "I like being able to give back and let everyone have an equal chance in learning about nature." Tina has served as a San Francisco Nature Education naturalist since September 2007.
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