STAFF
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Nancy H. DeStefanisFounder 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 5th grades 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. |
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Alan HopkinsAdult Birding Programs
Alan has taught our Adult Birding Programs and Intern training programs since 2009. A renowned birder, he is committed to getting more adults and families out into nature.
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Peter ShenVolunteer, Data Management/Web Consultant
Peter has volunteered as San Francisco Nature Education's webmaster since 2009. He has recently taken on the new role of managing the membership database.
Peter has a background in engineering and safety and has lived in the Bay Area for over 25 years. |
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Ariel HeinickeNewsletter Editor
Ariel Heinicke is a Bay Area native who graduated from UC Berkeley with a bachelor's degree in linguistics. She loves spending time in nature and hiking, and she is currently taking courses in graphic design. She is passionate about animal advocacy and runs a social media campaign to raise awareness about fish welfare.
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Joy ChangSocial Media Consultant
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mike Smylie
President
Mike Smylie is a Partner with ERM, the world’s leading sustainability consultancy, and has over 35 years of experience working with a broad range of companies to address environmental and safety issues. With a technical background in air quality, his work is used to negotiate complex technical agreements and permits with federal and state regulatory agencies, assist facilities with compliance programs, and provide technical expertise in the development of strategic programs and policies.
Mike is currently Chairman of ERM’s US Low Carbon Enterprise Fund (LCEF). The LCEF was established in 2008 to provide financial and technical support for small, low carbon ventures in developing countries. Mike and his wife have three sons and have lived in the Bay Area for over 30 years. He has been involved with SF Nature Education since 2007 during which time he has been involved with the Heron Watch program in Stow Lake and staffing the program with 20 volunteers from the ERM Corporation.
Mike recently wrote a successful grant application to the ERM Foundation to underwrite the cost of installing a Heron Cam at Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park. The Heron Cam is the only camera trained on a great blue heron colony in California. It operates during the breeding season - February to August each year.
Mike is currently Chairman of ERM’s US Low Carbon Enterprise Fund (LCEF). The LCEF was established in 2008 to provide financial and technical support for small, low carbon ventures in developing countries. Mike and his wife have three sons and have lived in the Bay Area for over 30 years. He has been involved with SF Nature Education since 2007 during which time he has been involved with the Heron Watch program in Stow Lake and staffing the program with 20 volunteers from the ERM Corporation.
Mike recently wrote a successful grant application to the ERM Foundation to underwrite the cost of installing a Heron Cam at Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park. The Heron Cam is the only camera trained on a great blue heron colony in California. It operates during the breeding season - February to August each year.
Missi Gavic
Secretary, Treasurer
Missi Gavic (formerly Hirt) grew up in San Francisco, and went out on her first birding field trip (led by her father) at only a few weeks old. It must have left an impression. Today she is passionate about connecting children with the wonders of the outdoors, nature, and birding. She has been volunteering for San Francisco Nature Education since 2011 leading school field trips in Golden Gate Park, and as a docent for Birding for Kids on Saturdays. She is a member of Golden Gate Audubon Society and the co-founder of Green Drinks, an organization that raises money for environmental organizations.
Missi recently took a break from her career in Psychiatric and Neuroimaging research at UCSF to be a mom to her new daughter.
She is looking forward to working with the board of SFNE on the common goal of connecting our youth with the wonder and importance of their natural world.
Missi recently took a break from her career in Psychiatric and Neuroimaging research at UCSF to be a mom to her new daughter.
She is looking forward to working with the board of SFNE on the common goal of connecting our youth with the wonder and importance of their natural world.
Nancy H. DeStefanis
Executive Director
Nancy first discovered the Great Blue Herons in 1993 and it became her mission to share her passion for the birds with school children as well as the broader community.
Nancy first discovered the Great Blue Herons in 1993 and it became her mission to share her passion for the birds with school children as well as the broader community.
Advisory Board
Mary Rose Cassa - Board Member Emeritus
Kit Durgin - Board Member Emeritus, former Executive Director The Women's Foundation
John P. Kelly, Ph.D. - Director of Research, Audubon Canyon Ranch
Joseph Kinyon - Board Member Emeritus
Kathleen Purcell - Board Member Emeritus, partner Remcho, Johanson, and Purcell
Kit Durgin - Board Member Emeritus, former Executive Director The Women's Foundation
John P. Kelly, Ph.D. - Director of Research, Audubon Canyon Ranch
Joseph Kinyon - Board Member Emeritus
Kathleen Purcell - Board Member Emeritus, partner Remcho, Johanson, and Purcell