Staff

Sarah brings 15 years of experience developing and managing science-based education programs, as well as ecological research and conservation projects around the globe. She has worked in a wide variety of contexts and ecosystems, from urban forests in Boston, MA, to agricultural communities in eastern Colorado and rural villages in east Africa. In 2009, while conducting fieldwork for her PhD in Ecology in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania, she founded a non-profit there dedicated to protecting elephants and improving human livelihoods. Sarah believes passionately in the importance of connecting people with nature for the benefit of both, and she is especially focused on ensuring people from traditionally under-resourced communities share in those opportunities. Sarah is a Colorado native and loves hiking and backpacking with her rescue pitbull, Winston.

Christine has worked in San Diego County for the past 25 years in the field of natural resource conservation. Recently retired from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department), she also worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey. Christine’s fieldwork focused on rare and declining bird and plant species, while her regulatory experience focused on the implementation of the Department’s Natural Community Conservation Program. The transition from a career in wildlife biology to EDI Conservation Director seemed like a natural progression, as Christine strongly believes that we must invest in and empower children if natural communities and the wildlife they support are to endure.

Victoria Bonnett or Ms. Vicky, as she is affectionately known by her students, has over 20 years of experience in youth environmental education, including program and curriculum design. During her 10+ years with EDI, Victoria has developed a strong network of support among educators in east county by helping teachers meet their classroom needs and providing quality experiences for students and their families. She has experience working with Special Needs students and is bilingual (English and Spanish). Victoria holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University and is currently working to complete her M.A in Education.

A zoologist and biologist by education and by nature, Duffy, as she is known, grew up in the wilds of Southern California and Baja, seeding her passion for the region's diverse and unique flora and fauna. She has served as a field researcher for studies of the Mediterranean scrub of California and the tundra of the North Slope of Alaska. Duffy put India ink and Rapidographs to mylar as a scientific illustrator in college, and presently illustrates children's books with wild and fanciful critters. She is also an active naturalist guide for San Diego Natural History Museum's Canyoneer program.

Ashley is a born-and-raised San Diego native. Her background is in Horticulture and Business, receiving 3 Associates Degrees and 4 certificates from Cuyamaca College. Her passion for the outdoors roots back to childhood, as she was often found in the garden with her mom. She is equipped with years of experience with plant nurseries, floral design, and volunteer work for multiple organizations around San Diego. She is thrilled to be a part of the EDI family, and contribute her love of organization, commitment to the environment, and excitement for nature to our community!