A childhood spent outdoors on a California cattle ranch instilled a lifelong love of exploring nature. An awesome high school biology teacher (Thank you, John Jenkins!) inspired me to study biology and choose a career in science education. I earned an M.S. in Biological Sciences from California Polytechnic University (San Luis Obispo) in 1989 and have been involved in community leadership and science education, in the classroom and outdoors, for nearly 40 years. I began as a junior high science teacher in 1982 and still love teaching and mentoring young people today, especially out in nature where there are endless wonders to be discovered. My greatest joy is in seeing kids grow up to be natural leaders who practice stewardship and inspire others to care for nature, too.