Staff Spotlight: Chelsea Behymer
There is an exceptional passion that radiates from the education department at NatureBridge. Its intricacies and quirks are unique to each individual but it is a shared understanding and force that bonds our multi-campus team. That passion is palpable in Chelsea Behymer, our new Program Manager in Olympic National Park, who with barely two months on the job, has already made an impact on the staff, educators and students she supports. Chelsea’s relationship with the outdoors is one of great reverence and reciprocity.
“I am rejuvenated by every activity I can do and time I can spend outside - there is a rawness in nature that allows and encourages me to be my most authentic self, as well as provide a space for genuine shared experiences.”Chelsea Behymer
Chelsea exemplifies leadership by sharing examples of the strength and vulnerability she experiences in the outdoors, where, as she puts it, “I can simultaneously feel safe, challenged and continuously full of wonder! I aim to reciprocate that support by being mindful of my impact on the outdoors and acting on that in a positive way.”
While overseeing multiple, rotating school groups and supporting a large team of educators and staff, it’s not hard to believe that there is no “typical” day on the job for Chelsea. From providing canoeing support to calibrating water quality testing instruments to guiding kids in a search for tardigrades, (aka “moss piglets” in the microscope lab) to coaching educators in outcome-based planning—each day is exciting and unique.
What she truly relishes thus far has been the opportunities to step in and out of moments with educators and students learning together. “I love that I can zoom in on a small part of the day or week of several groups, and then zoom out to see and hear everyone on campus, in the surrounding forest and on the waterways, connecting to each other and the natural world in a myriad of ways.”
Stories
2024 Student of the Year: Kai Diaz
At NatureBridge, we celebrate the stewards of today and foster the development of the stewards of tomorrow, working to inspire environmental stewardship in all our participants. Our goal is to motivate our students to make waves and be changemakers in their communities and for our planet.
Each year, NatureBridge honors a student who has demonstrated leadership, growth and a commitment to protecting our natural world as a result of their participation in a NatureBridge program. This year’s honoree will be recognized and will speak at An Evening Outside with NatureBridge on Thursday, May 16 at our Golden Gate campus.
We are thrilled to announce our 2024 Student of the Year: Kai Diaz.
An Interview with Evening Outside Keynote Speaker Dr. Britt Wray
The minute we found out about the work of Dr. Britt Wray, we knew we wanted to learn more about her. A well-respected author and scientist, Dr. Wray possesses expertise in an area of research we talk about a lot at NatureBridge—specifically how we can be resilient, hopeful, and actionable amid a changing world, including the climate crisis. We’re thrilled that Dr. Wray will be joining us on May 16 for An Evening Outside with NatureBridge as our Featured Speaker. Ahead of the event, we had the chance to ask her a few questions relating to her work and her connection to the mission of NatureBridge.
Staff Spotlight: Appreciation for Miho Aida
Miho Aida (she/they) has held multiple roles at NatureBridge over the past twenty-four years, including Environmental Science Educator, Community Connection Coordinator, Field Staff Scientist, Marine Project Coordinator, Pacific Rim Environmental Education Specialist, Armstrong Scholars Educator, Diversity Coordinator, Equity and Inclusion Manager, and Director of Equity and Inclusion. Now, on the eve of Miho's departure, we asked them to reflect on their time at NatureBridge and share a bit about their upcoming adventures.