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Outdoor Education Administration
Robert D. Hinkle, Ph.D
Chief of Outdoor Education
Bob joined Cleveland Metroparks as Chief Naturalist in 1982. He is an avid birdwatcher, canoeist and nature author. He holds Certified Interpretive Planner, Certified Interpretive Trainer and Certified Interpretive Guide credentials from the National Association for Interpretation.
Foster Brown
Historical Interpreter / Naturalist
Foster joined the ranks of Cleveland Metroparks Outdoor
Education in 1996. Music is Foster's passion so as one
would expect he sings about natural/cultural history.
Writing and playing folk music, canoeing, wildflower ID,
and researching local history are the activities Foster
finds himself doing most.
Maryellen Dombek
Division Secretary
Maryellen joined Cleveland Metroparks in 1994 as an Information Specialist at Garfield Park Nature Center. Currently, she assists the Chief of the Outdoor Education by keeping track of budgets, staff trainings and conferences, projects, and a variety of daily details. She enjoys volunteering at Cleveland area events, backyard bird feeding and sharing time with her family.
Linda Hnath
Information Specialist P/T
Linda joined the staff of Outdoor Education in 2000 working
with Foster Brown Historical Interpreter for Cleveland
Metroparks. Here specialties are local and Ohio history.
She enjoys hiking, handcrafts and historical research
and music.
Jen Brumfield
Scientific Illustrator/Naturalist P/T
Jen joined Cleveland Metroparks in 2005 as a naturalist and scientific illustrator. She has written and illustrated four field guides to common flora and fauna of the Metroparks; included in this Fascinated Naturalist series is Birds, Reptiles and Amphibians, Tree Leaves, and Dragonflies and Damselflies. Recently, she completed a fully-illustrated NatureTracks coloring book for kids. Jen is an avid birder and birding tour guide, regularly leading Cleveland Metroparks public birdwalks and trips for the Institute of the Great Outdoors.
North Chagrin Nature Center
Barb Burko
Manager
Barb Burko has been the manager of North Chagrin Nature Center since 1989 and served as a naturalist at North Chagrin Nature Center for 7 years prior to becoming manager. Her interests include owls, waterfowl, forest ecosystems and environmental issues.
Ingrid D'Ambrosio
Information Specialist
Ingrid was hired in September of 1983 as the first Information
Specialist for Cleveland Metroparks. She is an Information
Specialist at the North Chagrin Nature Center. She enjoys spending time with her step-grandchild, downhill skiing and playing golf.
Tim Krynak
Naturalist
Tim began his work as a seasonal naturalist in 1993 spending time at Garfield Park, North Chagrin and Rocky River nature centers. He spends his off time canoeing, camping, and birding throughout the country and also teaches gymnastics.
Angelec Hillsman
Naturalist
Angelec joined Cleveland Metroparks in 2003. Her journey started in the DII program at CanalWay Center. In October of 2004 North Chagrin Nature Center became her home. She enjoys working with children in the outdoors.
Deb Marcinski
Naturalist P/T
Deb Marcinski has been a part-time naturalist at North
Chagrin Nature Center since 1988. She particularly enjoys
hiking in the evening and at night. She is involved with
monitoring marshes, Monarch larva, bats and has a special
interest in Canada Geese.
Mindy Murdock
Naturalist P/T
Mindy joined the North Chagrin staff in 2005, after working as a seasonal naturalist at CanalWay Center for several years. She uses her creative skills to bring the wonders of nature to children in a variety of programs. Mindy specializes in reptiles and amphibians, and enjoys spending her free time drawing, gardening, and hiking with her dog .
Garfield Park Nature Center
Carl Casavecchia
Manager, Garfield Park Nature Center
Carl began with Cleveland Metroparks in April 1983 as
a seasonal naturalist. He was promoted to full-time naturalist
in 1985 and to his current position in October 1993. He
has worked at Brecksville Nature Center, Rocky River Nature
Center, North Chagrin Nature Center and Garfield Park
Nature Center. Carl's special interests include trees,
wildlife gardening, people, Bedford Reservation, and the
Underground Railroad.
Stacey Allen
Naturalist
Stacey has been a naturalist at Cleveland Metroparks since 1993. Her specialties are sharing nature with preschoolers and historic-cultural activities with all ages. She spends much of her free time working in fiber arts.
Valerie Fetzer
Naturalist
Valerie has been with Cleveland Metroparks since 2001. She began her journey as an Education Specialist at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo where she coordinated the overnight and day camp programs. Valerie joined the Outdoor Education staff in July 2007.
Sherrie Tolliver
Cultural History Interpreter
Sherrie Tolliver came to Cleveland Metroparks in February of 2008. She enjoys attending the theater, concerts, and sporting events, reading literature and history, and spending time in the woods with her Siberian Husky, Kobe.
Chris Spisak
Information Specialist
Chris came to Garfield Park Nature Center in 1992 as a
part-time secretary. She enjoys spending time in &
around nature and taking bus trips with her spouse. Her
favorite job is playing the role of "Pearl"
on the Underground Railroad.
Brecksville Nature Center
Sharon Hosko
Manager, Brecksville Nature Center
Sharon has been with Cleveland Metroparks since 1989.
Her interests include nature photography, hiking, and
bicycling. She specializes in aquatic biology, insects,
and astronomy.
Debra Shankland
Naturalist
A Cleveland Metroparks Naturalist since 1994, Debra has also worked for various federal, local and non-profit agencies. Her special interests include plants, frogs, fungi and ecosystem integrity.
Kelly McGinnis
Naturalist
Kelly has worked at the Brecksville Nature Center since
the fall of 2000. She enjoys doing various programs for
people of all ages, especially children. She enjoys hiking
and just being outdoors. Pamela Taylor
Naturalist
Pam joined Cleveland Metroparks in July 2001 as an interpreter/education intern with the Zoo. In June 2003, Pam transferred to Garfierld Park Nature Center as a seasonal naturalist and in January 2004 was selected for her current position as part-time naturalist.
Laura Riccardi
Information Specialist P/T
Laura started work as an information specialist at Brecksville
Nature Center in October 1995. She really enjoys working
in such a beautiful, natural setting. In her free time,
Laura likes to hike, sing, and read.
Rocky River Nature Center
Wendy Weirich
Nature Center Manager
Wendy Weirich started working with Cleveland Metroparks at the Garfield Park Nature Center in 1993. After spending 14 years as the Manager/Naturalist at Look About Lodge in South Chagrin Reservation, she now manages the Rocky River Nature Center. Wendy enjoys all the wonders of nature especially birds, wildflowers, and gardening in harmony with nature.
Chris Larson-McKenzie
Naturalist
Chris has worked for Cleveland Metroparks since 1985.
Her special interests include trees, wildflowers, medicinal
plants, old-timey handcrafts, outdoor survival skills
and backpacking. Dave Dvorak
Naturalist
Since 1978, Dave has been a naturalist with the Cleveland Metroparks. He enjoys restoring land to native species, along with prairies, geology, butterflies, and bird watching.
Min-Sui Keung
Naturalist
Min started in 1998. Her interests include developing natural history programming for pre-school and home schooled children, and she occasionally offers urban/cultural walking tours.
Gretchen Motts
Naturalist
Gretchen has worked as a naturalist at Rocky River Nature
Center since 1999. Previously she worked at nature centers
in Pennsylvania and Ohio. She is especially interested
in educating children of all ages about nature and the
environment. She enjoys bicycling, canoeing, backbacking
and bird watching.
Joni Norris
Naturalist
Joni joined the Rocky River staff in 1985 as a part time
naturalist. She also has 26 years experience in special
educaiton, currently with Cleveland Public Schools. Her
interests in reading and wrting led to the monthly book
review program she offers in Cleveland Metroparks, focusing
on writings about nature.
Janelle Reardon
Information Specialist
Janelle joined Cleveland Metroparks in 1988. She provides
administrative and secretarial support for the nature
center staff. Among her interests are storytelling, puppetry,
and crafts, and combining these interest with nature study.
Kathy Schmidt
Naturalist
Kathy has been with Cleveland Metroparks since 1982. She especially enjoys bringing children's books to life in the "Books Alive" series.
Kathy Scebbi
Janitor
Kathy began work for Cleveland Metroparks in 1996 after
volunteering for many years. Among her many interests
are photography, gardening and most outdoor activities.
She is an avid nature photographer.
CanalWay Center
Nancy Desmond
Manager, CanalWay Visitor
Nancy has been with Cleveland Metroparks since 1999. She
is interested in local history and communities, particularly
Cleveland neighborhoods and parks.
Jo Ann Kubicki
Information Specialist
Jo Ann started as secretary for the Institute of the Great
Outdoors in 1991. Since 2000, she has been the Information
Specialist for CanalWay Center. She is interested in history,
nature photography, bird watching, and has been part of
the bat survey team for ten years.
Hank Mallery
Historical Interpreter
Hank came to Cleveland Metroparks in 1999 after serving
12 years with the National Park Service. He enjoys playing
music and golf, writing songs, car camping, and is a big
canal buff. Hank specializes in early American transportation
history and music.
Sue Becerra
Building Host
Sue joined Cleveland Metroparks CanalWay Center in January of 2006. She views her job as an ambassador for the park and tries to make each visitors experience an enjoyable one. Interests include: hiking, biking and swimming.
Look About Lodge
Barb Holtz
Manager
Barb joined Cleveland Metroparks in 1985. She enjoys plant-watching,
gardening for wildlife, and helping people to see how
they can make a difference in preserving the planet.
Denise Costanzo
Information Specialist
Denise came to Look About Lodge in the fall of 1996. She
attended a bird ID workshop presented by Wendy in the
spring of that year and has been hooked since. Denise
loves talking with park patrons when they call the Lodge.
Carly Martin
Naturalist/Geocaching Coordinator
Look About Lodge Naturalist and Geocaching Coordinator, Carly has been a naturalist at the Lodge since 1998. She has varied nature interests including night hikes, adventurous programs, monarch tagging and creek walking. Cleveland Metroparks Geocaching is overseen by Carly who enjoys the challenges provided by this cutting edge new hobby. Carly's motto is "You can't have fun 'less you're getting' dirty!".
Stefanie Verish
Naturalist
Stefanie became a member of the Look About Lodge staff in 2005. Aside from hiking, she enjoys nature through her artwork. Her favorite programs involve blending the creative arts with the natural world.
Nature Tracks
Ray Hereford
Education Outreach Manager
Ray has been employed at Cleveland Metroparks since 1977.
He has a strong interest in all environmental education
issues that affect urban communities. Ray loves teaching.
Institute of the Great Outdoors
Dana Smith
Outdoor Recreation Manager
Dana started at Cleveland Metroparks as the IGO Manager in 2007. Over the past 20 years, her professional experiences include environmental interpretation, management and outdoor recreation. Dana is an avid kayaker and angler, and leads many IGO’s trips.
Youth Outdoors
John Rode
Manager, Youth Outdoors
John provides program management and leadership for Youth Outdoors. His interests include teaching outdoor skills and providing opportunities for youth to enjoy nature. John is an avid hiker, backpacker, fisherman, canoe camper and cross-country skier. He has worked at Youth Outdoors since 1999.
Greg Yost
Extension Educator, Youth Outdoors
Greg provides co-leadership for Youth Outdoors, including volunteer management and program development. Employed by Ohio State University Extension 4-H, Greg has worked for Youth Outdoors since 2000. His interests include canoeing, skiing, backpacking and teen leadership development.
Sheri Williamson
Recreation Specialist I
Sheri has been with Cleveland Metroparks since1988 and Youth Outdoors since 2005. She enjoys working with youth, teaching outdoor skills and exploring nature. Her interests include skiing, snowshoeing, hiking and kayaking.
Joseph Lehner
Recreation Specialist
Joe joined Youth Outdoors in 2000. He enjoys providing urban youth with safe opportunities for outdoor adventure. His interests include hiking, bike riding, rock climbing and cross-country skiing.
Brian Fyfe
Recreation Specialist
He enjoys leading programs that help urban youth develop outdoor skills and gain an appreciation of the natural world. His interests include hiking, backpacking, fishing and kayaking. Brian joined Youth Outdoors in 2003.
Linda Hnath
Information Specialist
Linda joined the staff of Outdoor Education in 2000, working with Foster Brown, Historical Interpreter. Additionally, Linda works in the Youth Outdoors office. Her specialties are local and Ohio history. She also enjoys hiking, handcrafts, historical research and music.
Kathy Sobel
Information Specialist
Kathy joined Cleveland Metroparks in 1993. Prior to working with Youth Outdoors, she served as the Division Secretary for Outdoor Education and then as Bookshop Assistant for EarthWords. When she can find free time, she enjoys spending time in the outdoors with her family including hiking, camping, swimming and boating.
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