MEET THE WOLF SCHOOL STAFF
OUR TEAM
INNOVATIVE EDUCATORs, INSPIRING LEADERS
At WOLF School, we believe in learning by doing, and that positive role models have incredible impact on our youth. That’s why we take such great care in choosing, training, and supporting our staff. Our Program Directors and Naturalists hold college degrees and are professionals in environmental education, with backgrounds in science, history, community-building, education, and working with youth. They have a zeal for the outdoors that excites and engages our participants, encouraging every individual to connect and learn in nature. The experience and diverse backgrounds of our staff come together to create safe and dynamic educational programs that students will never forget.
This is Heather
Pronouns: she/her
Job Title: WOLF School Director
Favorite Animal: Salamanders and Dolphins
Bio: I love WOLF School! I have been lucky enough to live near the redwoods and work at WOLF School for 25 years now! I’ve met wonderful teachers and friends at WOLF and had so many great experiences helping kids and families connect with the Web of Life at outdoor science school and summer camps. From Camp Monte Toyon, to Camp Arroyo, to Camp SEA Lab, to Camp Loma Mar and all the other wonderful camps and parklands that WOLF visits--we explore the web of life, learn about science and nature, and make amazing memories with youth in the outdoors. Before WOLF, I worked as a naturalist teacher for two other Bay Area outdoor schools that I love. And before that I graduated from Stanford University with a double major in Human Biology and Comparative Lit. Originally from Redlands, CA, I still like to visit the desert and all my hot weather friends, flora, fauna, and family down there. I like my job a lot, and I also like spending time with my family, fishing, gardening, music, and hanging out with friends at the beach.
This is Equator
Pronouns: she/her, they/them
Job Title: Lead Naturalist
Favorite Animal: Pandas, frogs, and cats
Bio: Hi! Im Equator! I’m from Santa Cruz and I love the outdoors! I hike, sing, play instruments, swim, read, and most importantly, EXPLORE! I chose the name Equator, because I am Central American. I love to find banana slugs and new funky fungi out in the forest. If you see me around, say hi! And I’m always down to sing a song.
This is Zephyr
Pronouns: she/her, they/them
Job Title: Program Director
Favorite Animal: Harbor seal
Bio: Brianna chose the nature name Zephyr, which means gentle breeze or western breeze, because it made her think of the calming feeling of the ocean breeze when you face the sea. Zephyr is originally from San Luis Obispo county, and is a graduate from UC Santa Cruz, where she studied environmental studies and psychology. She has always had a passion for marine biology and coastal environments, and is enjoying learning more about forest ecology as she teaches in different ecosystems. Zephyr loves teaching students about ways that plants and animals adapt to survive and thrive in their environments, and about how all living and non-living things in an environment rely on one another. In her free time, Zephyr loves exploring the incredible variety of beautiful natural areas around the Monterey Bay area, kayaking, and hiking, as well as reading, traveling, and enjoying good movies and live music.
This is Sergio Typhoon
Pronouns: he/him
Job Title: Program Coordinator
Power Animals: Rhino (land), Octopus (water), and Luck Dragon (air)
Bio: Originally from Southern CA, Typhoon earned both his Bachelor of Science in Ecology, Behavior and Evolution and a Master of Science in Biology from UC San Diego. His Masters work on honeybees was published in The Journal of Experimental Biology, and he learned to interpret their waggle dance, and can “speak bee.” He is also fluent in English and Spanish, and has held an array of educator positions, including San Diego Zoo tour guide, animal trainer and presenter at San Diego’s Safari Park, summer camp backpacking guide with Lawrence Hall of Science, interpreter for Big Basin Redwoods State Park, and tour guide for the Monte Verde Butterfly Garden in Costa Rica. Throughout his experiences, Typhoon began seeing educating our youth as the most impactful way to improve our environment and society, and started as a naturalist with WOLF School in 2010, before advancing to program director in 2011, and has been the program coordinator since 2012. He shares his positivity with all those around him. He also loves hiking, camping, biking, and swimming with his 10 year old daughter, and is looking forward to teaching her his other passions: kayaking, scuba diving, and backpacking.
This is Des, nature name Tumbleweed
Pronouns: she/her
Job Title: Associate Director
Favorite Animal: Elephants
Bio: I absolutely love being outdoors and exploring our natural world! I am so lucky to have found a home here at WOLF School and I look forward to bringing in new staff to this amazing community that we have created over the years!
This is Splash
Pronouns: she/her
Job Title: Education Director
Favorite Animal: Dolphin/Tern/Hummingbird/Bat/Turtle (Why choose?)
Bio: Hi everyone, Splash here! I've been working at WOLF since 2013, when I sailed into Santa Cruz and decided to find a land job teaching about nature. After that, I split my time between land and sea, having a fabulous time hiking and playing in the redwoods at WOLF and then spending my summers and winters sailing around the world on Tall Ships. Eventually, I decided to settle down and start a family, which has been my next big adventure. I love hiking, sailing, reading, writing, playing with my 2-year old, camping and dancing.
This is Sparrowhawk
Pronouns: he/him, theythem
Job Title: Naturalist
Favorite Animal: Tiger
Bio: I grew up rambling through the wild mountains and thick forests around Bozeman, Montana, and exploring the imaginary worlds of books. This early life fostered a strong connection to the natural world and a deeply embedded sense of adventure. I've been following these threads ever since, and they led me to live in Santa Cruz while getting a degree in creative writing at UCSC, and then to spend the following 4 years living in Hanoi, Vietnam. While there I worked as an English teacher, college application consultant, copy writer, editor, voice actor, and fire performer. Becoming part of the off-road team for Namduro, a cross-country motorcycle adventure challenge, opened the world of guiding to me. After spending the Covid years guiding motorcycle tours in northern Vietnam, I returned to Santa Cruz, where the search for meaningful work in connection with nature led me to WOLF school, where I spent a year as a naturalist, and worked as program director for the summer nature day camp. I most recently spent the 2023-2024 academic year working as an instructor with Where There Be Dragons, guiding students on 3 month gap year semesters through Nepal. Now I'm happy to be back in Santa Cruz, and back at WOLF School! I experience the wilderness as a gift, a grace, a place of play and fierce demand. I engage with it through trekking, camping, surfing, snowboarding, dirt biking, and sitting in silent awe. I am always looking for someone to share in an adventure.
This is Flare (and MJ the Mantis)
Pronouns: They/Them, She/Her
Job Title: Program Coordinator
Favorite Animal: Fox
Bio: Hiiii I’m Flare and I’m from Southern California. I love working for WOLF school because it allows me to share my passion for the outdoors with so many amazing people. I love hiking, backpacking and rock climbing. I chose my nature name because i love fire. I think it’s an amazing tool that many people fear but i think it’s something of beauty and creation. I love being in nature because it grounds me and reminds me how simple life can be and how at peace you can feel while being out in nature.
This is Thrasher
Pronouns: They/Them, She/Her
Job Title: Program Director
Favorite Animal: Banana Slugs and Nudibranchs
Bio: Hi, I’m Thrasher! I’m from Southern California but have been living in the Santa Cruz area for the past 8 years. My favorite camp activities are Jays and Juncos, Sound Maps and most of all Night Walks. In my free time I loooove to craft. You name, I’ll make it. I also love to go camping, climbing, and practice yoga. Being outside is truly my happy place :)
This is Opossum
Pronouns: She/her
Job Title: Naturalist
Favorite Animal: Narwhals
Bio: I am from the dry, hot high desert and I chose to work at Wolf school because it opened a new door for me to explore in a different part of California. I love teaching and learning, my favorite subject is geology but my favorite wolf School activity is the "professor hike". I hope that my students will learn from me how fun the world around us is and why we need it, despite modern day conveniences.
This is Frog
Pronouns: They/Them
Job Title: Naturalist
Favorite Animal: American Bullfrog
Bio: Hey y’all! I am originally from Portland, Oregon. Growing up in a city with so many parks, trees, and flowers bloomed a deep love for the outdoors within me. Following that love, I went all the way to upstate New York to study biology at Vassar College, where I had the privilege get to know and appreciate a whole new land. Now I find myself in Santa Cruz, blessed to know and love another fantastic, new place! Working at WOLF, I get to both and learn and share what I have learned about all of the beautiful places, and hopefully inspire a new generation to carry not only love, but motivation to take action to care for themselves, their friends, and the environment we all make up. When I’m not at WOLF, you can find me at the beach, in the ocean, in a river, in a forest, or in my bed reading a book. Say hi if you see me around, and GET OUTSIDE!!! RIGHT NOW!!!!
This is Redwood
Pronouns: She/Her
Job Title: Naturalist
Favorite Animal: Sea Turtle
Bio: Hi, I’m Ana! Growing up in Santa Cruz fostered my deep love for the environment, a passion I’ve continued to nurture while studying Environmental Management and Protection at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. I love spending time outdoors and inspiring others to develop the same appreciation for nature ◡̈
This is Anemone
Pronouns: she/her
Job Title: Program Coordinator
Favorite Animal: Crazy campers
Bio: I feel like I've got the dream job, it could do with a little less sand but that's about it. I came to Camp SEA Lab after studying Marine Science at Cal State Monterey Bay. I started as a naturalist in the spring of 2016, and decided I was going to stay put. Now, I love seeing the kids have new and exciting experiences, supporting our staff and program, working with teachers to plan their most anticipated trip of the year, and more! When I am not surfing, snorkeling, tidepooling, or at the beach with Camp SEA Lab, I might still be surfing, snorkeling, tidepooling or at the beach. I also enjoy cooking, reading and hiking. I hope to see some of you at camp!
This is Ctenophore
Pronouns: she/her
Favorite animal: Ctenophores (Comb Jellies)
Job Title: Program Director/Wolf School Admin Assistant/Naturalist
Bio: I am from Pennsylvania and obtained a Marine Science Degree from Kutztown University. I have been working with Camp SEA Lab since 2019. Working here gives me the opportunity to meet students from all backgrounds and teach them about the marine environment. I love working a camp because it helps me to engage and grow the next generation of environmental stewards. When I am not on the beach teaching students about the ocean, I enjoy going scuba diving and whitewater kayaking. My favorite thing about the marine environment is getting to explore it!
Name: Seal
Pronouns: she/her
Job Title: Seal is a Legendary Naturalist!
Favorite Animal: Harbor seal. I swim with them in the ocean!
Bio: I have lived in Santa Cruz almost as long as the redwoods(well, almost)! I chose to work at WOLF because it is FUN. I love being outside in nature and playing with kids. And I believe in passing on WOLF's important message of respecting our planet and one another. At camp, some of my favorites are silly campfire songs like "Scat" and "Gusano", watching kids connect with nature and make new discoveries on trail, and playing great forest games like "camouflage" and "jays and juncos". When not at camp, look for me swimming or surfing in the ocean, riding a bike, hiking in the Sierras, strumming a uke, or gardening. Or possibly throwing a ball for my family's dog, Grover.
This is Abalone
Pronouns: she/her
Job Title: Lead Naturalist
Favorite Animal: Harbor Seal
Bio: Hello! My name is Abalone, and I've been with Camp SEA Lab at WOLF School for the past 3 years. I'm originally from Sonoma County, CA, and grew up going to the beach in Bodega Bay, which fostered my love of all things ocean-related! I went to UC Santa Cruz to study marine biology, and since I graduated, I have been working in outdoor education, as a kayak guide at Elkhorn Slough and as a marine mammal rescue volunteer. I hope to share my knowledge of marine ecosystems with students and foster a love and fascination with marine ecosystems, as well as a desire to protect the ocean! I love exploring the ocean on my time off through tide pooling, surfing, and kayaking, as well as reading or spending time with my loved ones. In fact, my nature name came from finding beautiful iridescent abalone shells while exploring the tidal zone :) I am so excited to explore and learn with all of our campers who visit us this year!
This is Moss
Pronouns: She/Her
Job Title: Garden Coordinator/Summer Program Director
Favorite Animal: Quail
Bio: Hi! I'm Moss, and I love all things to do with rainy/foggy weather. I love to have new adventures in our forests, coastal grasslands and woodlands. I particularly enjoy looking for salamanders, gardening, spending time at a creek and making art. I hope to inspire a sense of wonder and curiosity in others by facilitating time in nature, and draw attention to the small details of the plants and animals that are part of our community.
This is Newt
Pronouns: He/Him
Job Title: Naturalist
Favorite Animal: Cow
Bio: I’m from Marin County in Northern California, and I’ve always loved being outside. I’m happiest when I’m exploring somewhere new, whether that’s hiking, fishing, camping around California, or finding any excuse to get in the water. I chose to work at WOLF because I love being outdoors and sharing that excitement and curiosity about nature with others.
Some of my favorite things to do at WOLF are playing Camouflage, Jays and Juncos, and Duplicate out on trail. I also love teaching Redwood Study, catching critters in the creek, and introducing students to the weird and awesome world of amphibians. I love seeing people get excited about finding a salamander or discovering something new.
My nature name is Newt! I chose it because newts are semi aquatic salamanders, and I’d definitely consider myself a semi aquatic human. I love anything that involves being in the water, whether that’s kayaking, surfing, swimming, boogie boarding, or just messing around in a creek.
What I love most about nature is that it was here long before us and is at the center of life. There’s always something new to notice, learn about, or get curious about. I hope to keep sharing that curiosity and appreciation for the natural world with the people around me.
This is Buckeye
Pronouns: He/Him
Job Title: Naturalist and Garden Coordinatoror
Favorite Animal: Sea Otter
Bio: Hey! I’m Buckeye, and I love sharing my love of nature. I’ve been very fortunate to spend most of my life hiking, camping, farming, building, restoring habitat, and writing about the natural world in Santa Cruz and California at large. It’s an absolute dream to guide new students in exploring the web of life and discovering how they fit in it.
Name: Mariposa
Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
Job Title: Lead Naturalist/Summer Program Director
Favorite Animal: Sea Slugs
Bio: Hi! My name is Mariposa, I have been working with WOLF School since Fall of 2024. My love for the sea and the forest are equal since I grew up spending time with both in Santa Cruz County. Some of my favorite activities to lead at WOLF are visits to the newt pond, create-a-critter and mushroom hunting. While hiking I enjoy taking my time to explore and learn about our diverse ecosystems. It is important to me to foster a sense of curiosity and appreciation for the natural world in our future generations.
This is Scorpion
Pronouns: she/her
Site: Camp Monte Toyon
Job Title: Counselor In Training
Favorite Animal: Horse, dog, cat, axolotl
Bio: Hi I’m scorpion! I was lucky enough to be raised at Monte Toyon. No one knows the trails as good as me. If you’re lucky you might get to glimpse me with my dad, Typhoon. I might join you for some camp activities or you just might see me around helping my dad.
