Having grown up in the woods and on the lakes of western Michigan, it’s no surprise that Eric has found himself running volunteer programs in the most natural and remote corners of San Francisco (Lands End, Presidio, Fort Funston).

Julia graduated with a double major in Art and Biology from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA. While in college, Julia spent time studying the temperate rainforests in New Zealand and prairie remnants in Washington.

Navit’s commitment to the natural world took shape early on, while growing up next to a national forest in western Nebraska. She followed her interests in the sciences to a small college surrounded by apple orchards and farmland in western Massachusetts.

Elise graduated from UC Davis in June 2011 with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Management. In October 2011, Elise joined the Golden Gate National Park Conservancy’s Park Stewardship program. She hopes to fulfill her passion for environmental education and to share the Conservancy’s mission with people of all ages.

Jamie graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in environmental studies. In October of 2010, to pursue her interest in outdoor environmental work, Jamie moved to San Francisco and joined the Golden Gate National Park Trail Crew as an intern.

The GGRO’s first director, Allen Fish was hired in 1985. With a background in evolutionary ecology and conservation biology from UC Davis, Allen has a particular interest in bird population responses to urban development, climate change, and other human pressures.

Until 2016, Allen also served as the lead staff contact

Andrew oversees programming and operations for the Institute. He is a past Director with the Orfalea Foundations and Montana Yellowstone Expeditions, and a course director and program manager for Outward Bound. Mr. Leider holds a Somatic Coaching certification from the Strozzi Institute.

Laura Young is a Texas native who completed her BS in Biology from UT Austin, where she conducted research on mate preference and gene flow in tropical butterflies. She then joined the Animal Behavior program at UC Davis, and finished her MSc in 2008 studying antipredator behavior of California ground squirrels.

Melissa has led social solutions through startup ventures, improved business systems for leading international companies, and launched successful initiatives for nonprofit organizations.