Green Leaders

Meet Liana Vitali, the dedicated Citizen Science & Stewardship Coordinator at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, whose passion for environmental education has had a profound impact, resonating not only across Maryland but far beyond. Explore some of Liana's notable achievements:

During the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic, Liana, alongside her colleagues from Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks, orchestrated a highly successful "screen-free, outdoor-focused" program. This initiative, known as the Anne Arundel County Nature Escape Project, was even nominated for the 2021 Maryland Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA) Park & Resource Conservation Creative Programming Award. Over a span of three months, park rangers, naturalists, and experienced volunteers led young children through this program, offering both guided and unstructured hands-on nature experiences. Topics covered ranged from exploring water habitats to mindfulness activities. The program left an indelible mark, with hundreds of children returning week after week to savor outdoor education and recreation lessons in county park locations.

In 2017, Liana played a pivotal role in launching the Bay Invaders Project, which subsequently earned a nomination for the MRPA Park & Resource Conservation Creative Programming Award in 2019. This innovative initiative, tailored for 9th-grade students, provided them with the opportunity to learn about and combat invasive species in county parks. The project's success was a result of remarkable partnerships forged within the county and state, involving various volunteer organizations, the Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center, Watershed Stewards Academy, and the county Forester's Weed Resistance Program. These collaborations paved the way for supporting teachers in implementing a new Environmental Science project-based learning curriculum. By the spring of 2018, a dedicated group of teachers and over 800 students surveyed numerous county and regional parks, identifying invasive plants and creating management plans for these areas. In an impressive display of dedication, students removed over 1200 pounds of invasive plants from county parks. The Bay Invaders Project endures, growing with more trained teachers, students, community volunteers, and rangers actively involved in this vital conservation effort.

Adding to her accolades, Liana received the esteemed Jan Hollmann Environmental Education Award in 2018, a testament to her extraordinary contributions to advancing environmental education and stewardship. Liana's brainchild, Stars to Sea, is a citizen science program that offers a truly unparalleled experience. This program provides a unique opportunity to contribute to whale shark research conducted by the Vermilion Sea Institute, all while embarking on an exciting adventure. The data collected since 2015 has significantly contributed to a global database dedicated to this magnificent marine creature.

Liana Vitali is not just an environmental advocate but a role model and an inspiration to all in the field of environmental stewardship. Her infectious personality and unwavering passion for the environment are a truly exceptional superpower.

Meet Serenella Linares, the Manager of Virtual Programs at Audubon Naturalist Society (ANS) and the Co-Chair of Naturally Latinos. She is a dedicated advocate for fostering curiosity about nature and inspiring a deep commitment to environmental stewardship through educational initiatives. Serenella is widely recognized at ANS for her expertise in two key areas: making learning an enjoyable experience for both children and adults and her profound knowledge of mycology, particularly mushrooms.

Serenella's journey with ANS commenced in 2015, and she has since risen to the position of Virtual Programs Manager. In response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Serenella spearheaded the development of a series of virtual programs that featured bilingual videos, serving as valuable educational resources for both English and Spanish speakers simultaneously. Additionally, she oversees the Naturalist Hour talks series, a platform where experts and nature enthusiasts converge online to learn and stay connected.

Her earlier contributions at ANS include collaborating with schools to deliver curriculum-based environmental education programs, establishing field trip scholarships specifically for Title One schools and Spanish-speaking children, and conducting nature-themed summer camps.

Serenella's fascination with the world of mushrooms was kindled amidst the lush forests of Maryland. She regards mushrooms as "magical" and is captivated by their diverse shapes, colors, textures, and unique characteristics, particularly those that exhibit bioluminescence.

As an active member of the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) for over eight years, she has attended four conferences and actively participated as a presenter in some. Serenella attests to the sense of community that MAEOE provides, which is challenging to replicate elsewhere. She emphasizes the commitment of regular conference attendees and the invaluable opportunity to reconnect with cherished colleagues that can only be experienced at a MAEOE conference. It serves as a platform for the exchange of innovative ideas, the introduction of new programs, and the enhancement and expansion of existing concepts.

Before joining ANS, Serenella served as an assistant park naturalist with the Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation from 2011 to 2016, where she worked at an urban nature center predominantly serving 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 has undergone graduate training in mycology at the University of Maryland. When not engaged in teaching, Serenella can be found exploring urban natural spaces, capturing images of plants, insects, and fungi, and actively participating in various citizen science projects.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Erin Burrell, who serves as a Kindergarten Teacher at Ashburton Elementary, for achieving the prestigious 2022 Velma M. Clark Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture Award!

This award is bestowed upon a teacher in Maryland in acknowledgment of their exceptional dedication to integrating agriculture into their core curriculum. We recognize that agriculture lies at the heart of our daily existence, and MAEF takes immense pride in honoring educators like Erin who bring the vital realm of agriculture into their classrooms.

For more information on this award and other grants and awards, please visit: MAEF Grants and Awards