Board of Directors & Advisory Council

Growing up with a Father who is a Wildlife Biologist, Carly Ferguson was introduced to caring for our environment and spending every minute outside at a very early age! She has worked in the field of outdoor and environmental education for over 15 years.

Currently, Carly is a Teacher at the Carroll County Outdoor School at Hashawha Environmental Center in Westminster, MD. Each week, she instructs sixth graders from the district’s middle schools. She teaches students to investigate and act upon relevant local environmental issues, with the goal of positively impacting the environment. In addition, Carly is a Resource Teacher for Carroll County elementary schools, helping to facilitate their process to become a Maryland Green School and leads outreach projects on their school grounds. Carly’s prior experience as an Outward Bound Instructor for the Baltimore Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School allows her to lead professional development and team building exercises for the Chamber of Commerce, local businesses and Carroll County Public Schools staff throughout the year. Finally, Carly is an Adjunct Faculty at Carroll Community College and takes adults outside to learn about the environment as a Hiking Instructor.

Carly Ferguson has a M.A. from West Virginia University in Secondary Education and a M.S. in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Resources Management from WVU as well. She was able to fuse her two passions and found her dream job at the Carroll County Outdoor School teaching outdoor and environmental education. Carly is originally from Wells, Maine but now calls Gettysburg, Pennsylvania her home. You can find her outside with her family and dogs, adventuring and enjoying anything outside!

As Director of Conservation Community Engagement, I work collaboratively with community residents and stakeholders to develop relatable environmental programs and projects which meet the needs of the community, and ultimately facilitating and implementing these efforts, directly where people are, within their communities. One of the programs that I coordinate is our Urban Conservation & Education Summer Internship Program, designed to provide opportunities for local Baltimore college students to experience environmental stewardship and to expose students to career options in the conservation sector. Additionally, through my involvement in the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program’s Diversity Workgroup as well as the State of Maryland’s Project Green Classrooms, we frequently discuss career pathways and pipelines within the environmental field, especially through a diversity, equity and inclusion lens, in order to ensure that students not only have opportunities for entry into the field but for matriculation as well. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science and Policy, Wildlife Ecology and Management concentration, from the University of Maryland, College Park and a Master of Science degree in Wildlife Conservation from the University of Delaware. I have over 10 years of experiences in environmental education and community engagement, through naturalist positions with the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) and Delaware Nature Society respectively.

Sarah earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Bucknell University, an M.S. and PhD in Zoology from the University of Georgia, and an M.A. in Education from Salisbury University. She taught middle school science at Pocomoke Middle School before moving across the bay to take a position at Towson University, where she has been been teaching for 25 years. Sarah’s interests lie in the areas of science education and environmental education. Her courses for preservice teachers all include outdoor components, and many include service learning. Sarah has built relationships with many local nonformal educational institutions, and she often teaches her classes off campus at these local organizations- she has had her students learning and leading programming at the Maryland Zoo, Irvine Nature Center, Oregon Ridge Nature Center, and the National Aquarium. Sarah’s involvement in science education initiatives and environmental education initiatives has led her to hold several positions of leadership at the national level, most notably with the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Environmental Education Advisory Council (NEEAC), the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) and the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). Sarah was a founding member of MAEOE’s EE Certification Committee.

James Roberson works for Prince George’s County Public Schools located in the Washington, DC metro area, as an Instructional Specialist for Environmental Literacy. James works at the William S. Schmidt Outdoor Education Center (Schmidt Center) in Brandywine, MD. He leads an Environmental Literacy team in creating, implementing, and monitoring programs and initiatives developed to support environmental education and Maryland’s Environmental Literacy Standards. He also provides educational leadership to staff, schools, and community partners through curriculum development, teacher professional development, on site program implementation, and fostering partnerships that support the mission of the Schmidt Center.

James holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Horticulture from Oklahoma State University, a Master’s of Science degree in Environmental Studies & Policy from Johns Hopkins University, and a certificate in School Administration from Johns Hopkins University.

Jim Stufft retired from Montgomery County Public Schools after 43 years of dedication to environmental education and sustainability.  Twenty-five of those years at the Lathrop E. Smith Environmental Education Center and most recently, 15 years with the MCPS Division of Sustainability and School Energy and Recycling Team (SERT) program. While at the Smith Center, Jim initiated and coordinated many permanent environmental education projects that have continuously supported the instructional program. In 2003, Jim assisted  the Smith Center in becoming the first MAEOE Green Center in MD.   Jim’s work with  the SERT program began in 2005. Jim facilitated the SERT program in becoming a MAEOE Green Center and as such, has helped many MCPS schools become MD Green Schools. Jim has long believed in the MAEOE mission that every student should develop an appreciation for the natural environment and experience environmental education. Currently, Jim is the co-chair of the Green Schools Committee and continues to support the mission and vision of MAEOE.

To learn more about Jim visit his Twitter account @SERTGUY

Dr. Juliann Dupuis is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean in the School of Education at Notre Dame of Maryland University. In these roles she oversees the secondary science program and is the Director of the STEM leadership program. Her background is in wildlife and fisheries biology and science education. At her previous positon at the University of New Hampshire, Juliann was the Assistant Coordinator for the Masters in Environmental Education program, where she taught the practicum and oversaw student internships in non-formal environmental education sites. Within her current role, she teaches STEM courses, including a sustainability course for educators, an application of engineering design, and a STEM summer institute which includes the use of Projects WET, WILD, Learning Tree, Wonders of Wetlands, Invasive Species, Flying Wild, and NOAA Globe. Each of the courses that she teaches includes a component of environmental education, but these three courses in particular require students to conduct research and develop projects or solutions to problems focused on environmental issues. Students focus on designing and carrying out green school initiatives which can help them to apply for green school status or to keep them current. As a proponent of environmental education, educators in her courses are required to attend environmental, field-based trips in order to experience situations that they should be including their students in.

Juliann has been an active member of both NAAEE and MAEOE, presenting at both conferences and acting as a member of the conference planning committee for MAEOE. Juliann is served as the co-chair of the 2019 MAEOE conference committee. As part of this role, she helped to coordinate volunteers to present on a STEAM panel, present at a STEAM fair, construct displays for the student STEAM art exhibit, work with vendors for marketing materials and videography, among other items. She is extremely passionate about environmental education and is committed to advancing the mission of MAEOE.

Lee is a lifelong resident of Maryland and lover of all the natural beauty found in this America in Miniature. This love of the outdoors and dedication to preserving it has infused his work as a counselor, teacher, and administrator in Montgomery County for over 25 years.

Partnering with local, state, and national organizations he and his staff have built on the state’s environmental literacy standards to provide their students and staff with expanded opportunities to learn in and about the outdoors and take actions as they develop their environmental stewardship. These efforts have resulted in Cedar Grove’s recognition as a Maryland Green School and National Green Ribbon School.

Lee and his wife Shelley live in a recently empty nest in Damascus with their two dogs and enjoy travelling to beaches near and far.

Lisa Jones has spent her career in the environmental education field. First as a Program Director for a large experiential, environmental education program and more currently as the Senior Outreach and Communications Manager for a state agency. Lisa isn’t a stranger to MAEOE, she is returning to the Advisory Council after taking some time off after a 10+ year term on the original MAEOE Board. When not working hard to teach children and adults about the environment she enjoys traveling, rock climbing, dog training and finding any excuse to be outside, although enjoying a good book on the sofa is also a favorite past time. Lisa has a BS in Human Development and M. Ed. in Elementary Education. She lives in Baltimore with her dog and cat.

Liz Wist is the Education Coordinator at the Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP), a National Estuary Program and non-profit located in Berlin, Maryland. As the Education Coordinator, Liz provides vision and leadership for MCBP’s education and public involvement initiatives. Liz is responsible for the development, creation, and evaluation of environmental education programs. In addition to these programs, she designs curriculum, leads interpretive programs and summer camps, mentors seasonal staff, and provides professional development for educators. Liz is also responsible for organizing and facilitating MCBP community engagement opportunities such as Discover Your Watershed, Bay Day, and Living Local agricultural initiative with local and state partners.

Liz joined the Maryland Coastal Bay Programs in January of 2017. A Berlin native, Liz left her hometown to obtain her B.A. in Environmental Studies from Eckerd College, and her M.S. in Environmental Studies with a concentration in environmental education and interpretation from UNC-Wilmington. Liz previously worked as a naturalist at an outdoor school in Texas, as an ocean educator for MarineQuest, and as a crew chief for the Ocean City Beach Patrol.

Liz has served actively on the MAEOE Conference Committee since fall 2017.

Melissa Acuti is currently the Maryland Park Service’s Statewide Interpretive Manager and works out of the Annapolis Headquaters Office. Melissa has been with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources- Maryland Park Service since 2010 and worked as a Park Ranger and Assistant Park Manager at Point Lookout State Park and as the Conservation Corps Program Coordinator before taking her current position. Melissa was also previously employed by Carroll County Recreation and Parks as the Park Manager of Hashawha Environmental Center and a Park Naturalist at Bear Branch Nature Center. Melissa also worked as a teacher at the Carroll County Outdoor School.

Melissa has her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and her Master’s Degree in Environmental Biology from Hood College.

Melissa currently lives in Edgewater and in her spare time enjoys bird-watching, gardening (with native plants), kayaking and sailing the Chesapeake with her husband. In addition, each fall Melissa tags migratory Monarch butterflies and helps run an owl banding station for migratory Northern Saw-whet Owls.

Melissa has attended almost every MAEOE conference since 2000 and especially enjoys the networking opportunities and feeling of re-invigoration that follows each conference. Over the past two years, Melissa has assisted with the MAEOE Auction at the Conference. This past year, Melissa also attended the MAEOE Youth Summit at Sandy Point State Park. Melissa’s many connections with the state parks and park staff will benefit MAEOE as much as MAEOE will benefit Maryland’s State Parks.

Mike Callahan lives in Charles County and is a native Marylander. He and grew up in Prince George’s County on the eastern border of Washington, D.C. There he spent many days roaming the fields, streams, forests and swamps along the shore of the Northeast Branch of the Anacostia River. It was his third grade teacher who helped feed the spark of interest in nature and outdoors and lead him to his choice of career in the environmental education field. Mike has been employed full time with Charles County Public Schools in Maryland at Nanjemoy Creek Environmental Education Center and an environmental educator since 1997.

In addition to working with students, he also works with non-releasable raptors. He also works part time as a Park Interpreter at Caledon State Park in King George. Mike is a past member and past co-chair of the MAEOE 30^th Anniversary Conference Committee. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources Management with an area of concentration of Environmental Education and Park Management from the University of Maryland at College Park (UMCP).

It was while attending UMCP that he truly became a birdwatcher. His involvement in environmental education is not only a career choice, but a hobby as well. He currently serves as Raptor Conservation Committee Chairman of the Southern Maryland Audubon Society, Conservation Chairman of the Crossroads of Hughesville Garden Club, Member of the Board of Directors of the Friends of Chapman State Park and The Friends of Maxwell Hall. He is the co-chair of the Cobb Island Monarch Mania Butterfly Festival and the Colonial Beach Osprey Festival. He also serves as the Coordinator of the Port Tobacco Christmas Bird Count. In addition to his interest in nature, he is also a volunteer living history and 1^st person interpreter.

After serving honorably in the United States Air Force, Rhonda began her career as a middle-school math and science teacher. Rhonda is currently an Environmental Literacy Outreach Educator at the William S. Schmidt Outdoor Education Center which is part of Prince George’s County Public Schools.

A strong advocate of hands-on, inquiry-based learning, Rhonda coordinates middle school environmental education programs within the county that allow students to experience their environment in fun and innovative ways. She has led countless students in planting wild rice in the classroom and restoration efforts within the Potomac Watershed. She works with novice and veteran teachers to facilitate professional development for both curricular units and green school activities within PGCPS.

She is passionate about protecting the environment and believes that only through education can we come to understand the importance of promoting a healthy coexistence with our surroundings. As a true lifelong learner Rhonda holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Oceanography from the United States Naval Academy, a Master’s Degree in Meteorology, a Master’s Degree in Education, and Doctorate in Educational Leadership. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and college aged children in the woods of Piscataway Park.

Scott is a 15-year veteran teacher with the Baltimore City Public School System and has spent the last 11 of those years at Hamilton Elementary/Middle School. After starting his career teaching elementary science, Scott launched a sustainability-focused class that is centered around the urban gardens and outdoor classrooms he created on his school grounds. Through developing these outdoor learning spaces, Scott has provided students in Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade with hands-on, place-based learning opportunities about the environment, sustainability, food systems, and nutrition. The outdoor education program is entering its 9th year and now includes two outdoor classrooms, multiple food-growing spaces, large pollinator gardens, and a chicken coop! In addition to working to ensure a safe and beautiful space for students at his school, Scott often shares his experience through district and state professional development sessions, panel discussions, and one-on-one tours of the outdoor learning spaces at Hamilton E/M School. When Scott isn’t busy in the school gardens, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and two children.

Serenella Linares is dedicated to sparking curiosity about nature and inspiring nature stewardship through environmental education. Serenella is known for being an expert in two things: making learning fun (for children and adults) and mycology (mushroom knowledge).

Prior to joining PG Parks, Ms. Linares worked as Virtual Programs Manager at Nature Forward, formerly Audubon Naturalist Society. She developed a series of virtual programs that included bilingual videos that could be used as educational tools for both English and Spanish speakers simultaneously. Serenella also managed the Naturalist Hour talks series. Prior to this Ms. Linares was an assistant park naturalist with the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation from 2011-2016 at an urban nature center serving predominantly African-American and Hispanic communities. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in biology from Universidad Metropolitana de Puerto Rico, a Master’s degree in atmospheric science from Howard University, and graduate training in mycology from University of Maryland. When Ms. Linares is not teaching, she explores urban natural areas, photographs plants, insects, and fungi, and participates in citizen science projects.