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 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.

Cole Hershkowitz
Volunteer-Data management, IT, Membership

Cole recently joined San Francisco Nature Education to manage the database and ensure every member receives the latest and greatest newsletter.

Cole grew up on the East Coast surrounded by the natural world: forests, streams, and of course birds. His education and career has wound between sustainability and engineering. Cole frequents Golden Gate Park with his family to find birds and their favorite place is Metson Lake. He has volunteered on the Saturday program Birding for Everyone at the SF Botanical Garden.

Clayton Yee
Development Consultant

Clayton has served as development consultant for San Francisco Nature Education since June 2007.

Clayton creates social impact by drawing on his experience as a leader and manager in Silicon Valley technology companies and in the non-profit sector.

He has led and managed programs, development, and communications in diverse non-profits including education, environment, human services, and workforce development organizations.

Angela Tremolada
Social Media and Database Management

Angela discovered San Francisco Nature Education while looking for local volunteer opportunities that teach about wildlife. She has worked with San Francisco Nature Education for over 4 years as a Naturalist and School Program and Media Coordinator. Angela holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in Communication Studies from the University of San Diego where she graduated magna cum laude.

"I grew up enjoying nature and the outdoors and San Francisco Nature Education allows me to share that experience." Angela particularly likes that SFNE is not only educational, but also fun. "This kind of work gives children from all parts of the city the opportunity to discover nature. It’s great because the programs definitely make learning fun for the kids, and for me too!"

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History and Programs Partners Staff Board of Directors 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 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. Cole Hershkowitz Volunteer-Data management, IT, Membership Cole recently joined San Francisco Nature Education to manage the database and ensure every member receives the latest and greatest newsletter. Cole grew up on the East Coast surrounded by the natural world: forests, streams, and of course birds. His education and career has wound between sustainability and engineering. Cole frequents Golden Gate Park with his family to find birds and their favorite place is Metson Lake. He has volunteered on the Saturday program Birding for Everyone at the SF Botanical Garden. Clayton Yee Development Consultant Clayton has served as development consultant for San Francisco Nature Education since June 2007. Clayton creates social impact by drawing on his experience as a leader and manager in Silicon Valley technology companies and in the non-profit sector. He has led and managed programs, development, and communications in diverse non-profits including education, environment, human services, and workforce development organizations. Angela Tremolada Social Media and Database Management Angela discovered San Francisco Nature Education while looking for local volunteer opportunities that teach about wildlife. She has worked with San Francisco Nature Education for over 4 years as a Naturalist and School Program and Media Coordinator. Angela holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in Communication Studies from the University of San Diego where she graduated magna cum laude. "I grew up enjoying nature and the outdoors and San Francisco Nature Education allows me to share that experience." Angela particularly likes that SFNE is not only educational, but also fun. "This kind of work gives children from all parts of the city the opportunity to discover nature. It’s great because the programs definitely make learning fun for the kids, and for me too!"
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