About the Environmental Science Center

ESC's experienced teachers and naturalists work directly with teachers and School Districts to build on what the students are learning in their classrooms. Typically, ESC programs consist of one hour of classroom instruction on habitats, the ecosystems of the Puget Sound, and/or conservation, followed by two hour field trips to sites like Seahurst Park or Normandy Park Cove. During the inquiry-based field portion of the program, students learn to analyze what they are seeing, develop a deeper understanding of ecological systems, see how environmental quality is impacted by human decisions, and reach informed conclusions about how to make responsible choices as citizens. After school and summer camp programs go into more depth and are tailored to the needs and interests of the participants.

ESC is particularly proud of our environmental education programs for underserved, low-income communities. In 2006, 2007 and 2008, fully 76% of the students participating in our programs came from schools with greater than 50% of students qualifying for free or reduced meals. Given the demonstrated academic benefits provided by environmental education programs, ESC believes it is essential to provide opportunities to low-income students in South King County to increase their academic achievement through participation in ESC programs.

Because ESC believes it is important to begin to form values that foster environmental stewardship and conservation early, we focus much of our programming on elementary school-age children. Currently, 80% of our programs serve children in grades K-6. The curriculum combines visual aids (slides, puppets, art), creative dramatics, and field trips into the outdoors to engage all learning styles and reinforce learning. In addition to classroom-based instruction and field trips, we also offer pre-school and after school programs, summer programs, and a marine science summer camp.

ESC also engages families through a wide variety of outdoor programs, including lectures, environmental walks, and field trips that use parents as chaperones. We are currently working with the children of immigrant and refugee families in the Highline School District by enrolling them in ESC science education classes while their parents are receiving English language instruction.

Ron Kreizenbeck, President — Retired from the US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington). Deputy Regional Administrator until January 2008. January 2008-December 2008 served as Senior Advisor to the Puget Sound Partnership and assisted in the development of the Action Agenda and in the organizational development of that new state agency. BS Biological Sciences, University of Alaska, MPA University of Washington

Chris Jansen, Vice-President — over 25 years experience in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) management and cartography. He holds a B.S. degree in geography from Western Michigan University and is on the Green River Community College GIS program Advisory Committee. His experience includes printed maps for local organizations, environmental sampling work of Super Fund sites, and internet map application development. Currently he is back in environmental engineering with Tetra Tech EC, Inc. after 10 years at King County as part of the management team at the GIS Center.

Kerry Lohr — Masters in Public Administration, former math and science teacher, assistant principal and principal, currently an Associate Broker for Prudential Northwest Realty Associates, specializing in sustainability and environmental conservation and stewardship, AAUW, Discover Burien.

Michael Lufkin— Michael is a Senior Environmental Strategy Manager at the Port of Seattle where he focuses on integrating environmental thinking and sustainability strategies across the entire organization. Prior to joining the Port, Michael practiced law for more than ten years focusing on environmental and natural resource litigation and climate change issues. During the course of his career, Michael has represented both public and private clients in matters involving project permitting, hazardous waste cleanup, development of environmental impact statements, energy facility siting, and carbon management. Michael writes and speaks frequently on the issue of climate change and carbon emissions.

Julie M. Miller — Mammal Biologist and Trainer at the Seattle Aquarium, Beach Naturalist Captain 2003 - 2005, Interpretive Supervisor and Teacher at Seattle Aquarium 2003 - 2005, Certified Interpretive Guide.

Nancy Riedel, Secretary — Serving 31 years in numerous roles in the Kent School District, has taught grades K through 12. She has a BA and a MA in teaching. 2004 King County Earth Hero at School.

Jean Spohn, Chair, Program Committee — kindergarten teacher; Spring Valley Montessori School 1968-1983, Systems Analyst and Senior Project manager, Group Health Cooperative-1983-2004 (retired), Volunteer Seattle Aquarium Beach naturalist 2004-present, WSU Land-Water Steward 2006-present, Burien Parks and Recreation Advisory Board member 2005 to present, Shorewood on the Sound Community Club director 1993-present, Adopt-a-Park steward 2007-present, City of Burien 2007 Environmental Leader of the Year.

Loren Tomlinson — President, Gates and Controls Inc., former President, Burien Arts Association, Chair, Burien Strawberry Festival.

Barb Williams Ph.D. — Retired Vice President of Operations, Digital Microwave Corp., Volunteer Beach Naturalist 2000-present, Seattle Aquarium 2000-present, Certified Interpretive Guide, Burien Planning Commission 2003-2006, WSU Land-Water Steward 2003-present, Cedar River Naturalist 2003-present. City of Burien 2003 Educational Leader of the Year.

ESC Staff are highly qualified part time naturalists and teachers. The ESC also enjoys the support of professionals who volunteer to teach in the program. Our current core staff include:

Caroline Bobanick, Executive Director, has more than 15 years of experience in administration, marketing and non-profit development. Her previous work experience includes leading development for Gage Academy of Art and special events for Pilchuck Glass School. She has worked with a number of prominent Seattle artists including Preston Singletary, Sonja Blomdahl and Dale Chihuly. Bobanick served as a trustee for the Burien Arts Association and as an Arts Commissioner for the City of Burien where she wrote grants and worked with various constituent groups to make arts education accessible to children. She holds a master's degree in Art History and a professional certificate in Marketing Management from the University of Washington. Her passion is spending time in nature and helping kids explore the natural world through art making.

Miriam Castro, Program and Administrative Manager, received her Master of Public Administration from Seattle University and, prior to joining ESC in 2010 spent three years working as an administrator and fundraiser for Community Health Charities of Washington and Idaho. Miriam has also worked within the education and sustainable farming sectors. Miriam manages and schedules ESC's educational programs, and serves as our office administrator. Miriam loves Seattle and South King County and its natural beauty, and is appreciative of the local efforts that ensure that the beaches, streams, and wildlife are preserved for generations to come.

Nicole Killebrew, School Programs Coordinator has a B.S. in Marine Biology and an M.S. in Environmental Education. She is an Interpretive Supervisor, Program Educator and Beach Naturalist Captain at the Seattle Aquarium. She teaches ESC classroom and field programs, develops and teaches after school science programs with New Futures and works with the Para Los Niños community group in Burien. Her greatest passion is sharing the wonders of the natural environment with others.

Samantha Dolan, Out of School Program Coordinator has a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and is currently working towards a Ph.D., focusing on the effects of outdoor spaces on the attention and academics of elementary school students with ADHD. Before joining ESC as an educational program manager, Samantha served in a graduate residency program at Islandwood. Between work and school, Samantha gets in the field as often as possible to share the wonders of nature with children and adults.

Barbara Bruell is an environmental educator for Olympic Park Institute, Passages Northwest, and Washington Trout as well as for the Environmental Science Center. She brings strong leadership and organizational skills to the organization. She is also a Land and Water Steward, and a beach naturalist with the Seattle Aquarium and has served on the Board of Directors of Earth Corps. Barb develops curricula and teaches the ESC's classes in the classroom and in the field.

Janice Mathisen has been teaching environmental education for 15 years. She currently coordinates the Beach Naturalist Program at the Seattle Aquarium, developed and administers their Explore the Beach Program, and teaches and develops curricula for the Environmental Science Center. She is also a certified teacher.

Judy Maury is a retired Highline School District (HSD) teacher who is using her expertise with Highline School District's science curricula to make the Environmental Science Center's programs align with state Essential Academic Learning Requirements. She volunteers at the Seattle Aquarium, and teaches the ESC's classes in the classroom and in the field.

Joy Neubauer is a retired teacher with a degree in Natural Science. She taught ecosystems in the classroom for many years, and regularly took her students to the beach to study animals and habitat. She is a trained Beach Naturalist, a Cedar River Naturalist and a King County Salmon Watcher. She is a gifted naturalist and develops curricula and teaches the ESC's classes in the classroom and in the field.

Barb Williams has a Ph.D. in Biostatistics, is a trained Beach Naturalist, Cedar River Naturalist, volunteer for People for Puget Sound and the Seattle Aquarium, and a Certified Interpretive Guide. She regularly teaches ESC programs in the classroom and in the field. An ESC board member, Barb continues to deepen her knowledge about the local environment and volunteers in an ESC staff teaching capacity.

Arun Jhaveri — has over 35 years of professional engineering, public service consulting and technical experience. He holds a B.S. from India and a B.S. in Engineering Physics and a Masters in Physics. He was Regional Technical Manager for the U.S. Department of Energy and worked for the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. He has many publications and has been a featured speaker nationally and internationally on topics such as renewable energy technologies, water conservation practices and global climate change. Mr. Jhaveri has taught at the university level and was also the first mayor of Burien.

Gerald F. Robison, Attorney at Law. He has been practicing law since 1993, preceded by 15 years experience as a real estate salesperson and broker. His practice focuses on real estate matters, but includes experience with probate, small business, non-profit organizations, family law, criminal law, personal injury, immigration and bankruptcy. In addition to his involvement with ESC (former board member, currently legal advisor), he is currently on the boards of Manufactured Housing Community Preservationists (also Treasurer), White Center Chamber of Commerce (past president), White Center Kiwanis (charter president) and White Center Jubilee Days (President).