Staff and Volunteers
Laura Azzarello, Visitor Center Outreach and Education Coordinator
Laura was raised in the Northern suburbs of Chicago and received her bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois where she studied Natural Resources and Environmental Science. Throughout her studies she completed multiple internships around the world including in Hawaii and the Bahamas. Through these experiences, she learned the power of connecting people to nature and just how much she enjoyed doing so. In her new role as the Visitor Center Coordinator, Laura hopes to continue her journey as an environmental educator and activist. With her free time, Laura likes to do yoga, play with her cat Nina, paint, cook, and spend as much time outside as she can. Next time you're at the Visitor Center, don't be afraid to say hello and welcome Laura to the team!
Laura was raised in the Northern suburbs of Chicago and received her bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois where she studied Natural Resources and Environmental Science. Throughout her studies she completed multiple internships around the world including in Hawaii and the Bahamas. Through these experiences, she learned the power of connecting people to nature and just how much she enjoyed doing so. In her new role as the Visitor Center Coordinator, Laura hopes to continue her journey as an environmental educator and activist. With her free time, Laura likes to do yoga, play with her cat Nina, paint, cook, and spend as much time outside as she can. Next time you're at the Visitor Center, don't be afraid to say hello and welcome Laura to the team!
Kate Bloomfield, Environmental Educator and Camp Coordinator
A desert rat from Las Vegas Nevada, Kate loves to have fun and spend time outdoors kayaking, hiking or just relaxing. "Nevada means home” rings true for her, as she has lived all over the states and overseas, but the Mohave Desert is where she grew up. She loves to play Catan, Backgammon, and test her knowledge at local restaurant trivia nights. Kate considers herself among the lucky few who have had their dream job at a young age. As a stay at home mom, she guided several adorable children into productive adult life, then earned her Bachelor of Science in Parks and Recreation Administration from Eastern Kentucky University. Her goal is to connect children of all ages to nature. Since graduating she has had the opportunity to teach children about nature in Ireland, Kentucky, Texas and Nevada wearing several different hats: Scouts merit badge councilor, Leave No Trace Trainer, facilitator of Project Wet, Project Wild, Leopold Project, Project Learning tree, and as a Certified Interpretative Guide. Kate is excited to work with Great Basin Institute’s field studies and summer camps this season, and says that she, “can’t think of a better way to spend the summer than learning about the Lake Tahoe area alongside Northern Nevada’s future environment advocates.
A desert rat from Las Vegas Nevada, Kate loves to have fun and spend time outdoors kayaking, hiking or just relaxing. "Nevada means home” rings true for her, as she has lived all over the states and overseas, but the Mohave Desert is where she grew up. She loves to play Catan, Backgammon, and test her knowledge at local restaurant trivia nights. Kate considers herself among the lucky few who have had their dream job at a young age. As a stay at home mom, she guided several adorable children into productive adult life, then earned her Bachelor of Science in Parks and Recreation Administration from Eastern Kentucky University. Her goal is to connect children of all ages to nature. Since graduating she has had the opportunity to teach children about nature in Ireland, Kentucky, Texas and Nevada wearing several different hats: Scouts merit badge councilor, Leave No Trace Trainer, facilitator of Project Wet, Project Wild, Leopold Project, Project Learning tree, and as a Certified Interpretative Guide. Kate is excited to work with Great Basin Institute’s field studies and summer camps this season, and says that she, “can’t think of a better way to spend the summer than learning about the Lake Tahoe area alongside Northern Nevada’s future environment advocates.
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Natalie Minor, Environmental Educator and Camp Coordinator
A native of the San Fransisco Bay Area, Natalie has spent most of her life learning about nature and its wild inhabitants. She spent most of her career as an instructor at a zoo in San Jose, CA, where she got to teach camps, classes, and lead school presentations with biofacts and animal ambassadors. Always one to jump at the chance to explore new habitats, Natalie got her bachelor's degree in environmental studies at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL. Since her graduation, she has participated in desert tortoise research, facilitated field trips to a wetland wildlife refuge, and rehabilitated wildlife within California and abroad. Natalie is continuing her passion for environmental education and wildlife by pursuing a master’s degree through Miami University's Project Dragonfly. Natalie grew up visiting Lake Tahoe as a child, and has always wanted to work in this environment. She is excited to spend this summer at the Galena Creek Visitor Center, and one day hopes see a bear. |
Christian Cormier, Naturalist
Christian grew up in sunny San Diego, California and saw much of the United States on various road trips throughout his childhood. He received a Bachelor's of Arts in Environmental Studies and Biology from UC Santa Cruz in 2017 and, surrounded by redwoods and bay laurel, fell in love with the outdoors. For the last two years, he has bounced from job to job as a seasonal Field Biologist working for the Student Conservation Association, Point Blue Conservation Science, and the University of Melbourne with an emphasis on ornithology. He hopes to share his passion for birds and their conservation with everyone that passes through the Galena Creek Visitor Center!
Christian grew up in sunny San Diego, California and saw much of the United States on various road trips throughout his childhood. He received a Bachelor's of Arts in Environmental Studies and Biology from UC Santa Cruz in 2017 and, surrounded by redwoods and bay laurel, fell in love with the outdoors. For the last two years, he has bounced from job to job as a seasonal Field Biologist working for the Student Conservation Association, Point Blue Conservation Science, and the University of Melbourne with an emphasis on ornithology. He hopes to share his passion for birds and their conservation with everyone that passes through the Galena Creek Visitor Center!
Melody Walkiewicz, Naturalist
Melody is one of the Naturalists and Environmental Educators here at Galena Creek. She is originally from Howell, New Jersey and received her bachelor's degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from the University of Delaware. Throughout her time in college, Melody had multiple internships involving animal care and environmental outreach. Melody was previously an educator for her county parks system back in New Jersey and is excited to continue teaching children about the environment here in Reno. In her free time Melody enjoys hiking, going to the beach, and just generally enjoying the outdoors!
Melody is one of the Naturalists and Environmental Educators here at Galena Creek. She is originally from Howell, New Jersey and received her bachelor's degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from the University of Delaware. Throughout her time in college, Melody had multiple internships involving animal care and environmental outreach. Melody was previously an educator for her county parks system back in New Jersey and is excited to continue teaching children about the environment here in Reno. In her free time Melody enjoys hiking, going to the beach, and just generally enjoying the outdoors!
Ed DeCarlo puts his 30-year Forest Service career to good use with the Great Basin Naturalists at Galena school field study program. He has a BS in Forest Management Science and a Secondary Teaching Certificate. Ed is passionate about the environment, is an avid skier, hiker, and paddle boarder. His expertise is in forestry, lands and water, wildlife habitat and winter recreation, and he enjoys living in Carson with his wife.
John Farley is a native of the Midwest. He spent his career at Lockheed Martin Space Systems in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he worked on many projects including the Hubble Space Telescope. Upon retiring in 2011, he moved to Washoe Valley. John enjoys spending time with his daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren, hiking with his dog, home remodeling, and winter sports. John manages the weekly guided hikes, either leading the hikes himself and sharing his extensive knowledge of the local area, or scheduling guest leaders with expertise in local history, animals or plants.
Jack Marsh hails from a small farming town in Southeastern Ohio. He graduated in 1958 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as an electrical engineer and immediately went on active duty in the Navy. After a few years stationed on the East Coast, he returned to RPI and obtained a Masters and a PhD in physics working in magnetic resonance. The US Government employed him for roughly nine years primarily as a project manager for R&D. In 1975 he moved to Silicon Valley and founded a small electronics company specializing in equipment for the oil and gas industry where he served as president until his retirement in 1997. He and his wife, Becky, moved to Reno in 1999 where both are strong volunteers in our community.
Emma Wynn is a native of the United Kingdom. She lived in Indiana and Japan before moving to Reno with her husband in 2016. Emma has a BSc in Botany and a postgraduate teaching certificate; she has been involved in science and environmental education at a variety of levels and in a variety of roles during her adult life. She is excited to learn about this area and is thrilled to be able to share her passion for nature and the environment via volunteering at the Visitor Center.
