BOARD CHAIR

Livy is a retired educator, avid birder, hiker and gardener. She taught for the Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools for many years and is a Certified Environmental Educator. In her teaching role in Frank Porter Graham’s Science Lab, she provided children with ongoing opportunities to learn outdoors; exploring Morgan Creek and working in the school’s garden.

“Nothing is more important than getting children connected with nature so they will grow up to become responsible stewards of the land.”

Livy worked with Triangle Land Conservancy in its early days and was Director of their Orange County Chapter. She met with Elinor Irvin when Mrs. Irvin donated the land to TLC for Irvin Nature Preserve; land which later became home for all of Learning Outside’s programs.

Livy greatly enjoys her role as Chair of Learning Outside’s Board, and the opportunity to help advise and strengthen our organization’s positive impact on children and this community.

BOARD TREASURER

George has been a practicing physician for 54 years and is currently Associate Professor at Duke School of Medicine, a role he is proud to have filled for 40 years.

George is always looking for ways to give-back to our community. He is involved with Habitat for Humanity, has organized neighborhood and Morgan Creek trash clean-ups and is also an active supporter of UNC Botanical Gardens.

George initially connected with Learning Outside in 2010 when his wife, a teacher, participated in Learning Outside’s first scholarship camp. His relationship with Learning Outside grew into a desire to be an active part of helping our organization grow its capacity to make a difference for children by joining the Board in 2018.

As Board Treasurer, George supports Learning Outside’s work to impact the lives of more and more children in our community. “I am committed to helping the next generation develop strong connections with the natural world.”

BOARD SECRETARY

Ann grew up in rural Eastern NC, roaming bayside shorelines, pine forests and barrier island beaches. Her early interest in the natural world led her to serving in communications and fundraising positions with environmental organizations such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and The Nature Conservancy and as executive director of North Carolina Catch, a nonprofit organization that supports local seafood promotion initiatives.

Ann has also contributed original photography to four UNC Press book collaborations with her husband, Bland, most recently North Carolina: Land of Water, Land of Sky (Fall, 2021).

She is a past president of the NC Sea Grant Advisory Board and the NC Coastal Land Trust Board of Directors.

An avid gardener and nature traveler, she is excited to be a part of Learning Outside and follow a lifelong passion for helping new generations learn about the beauty and value of the world around them.

BOARD MEMBER

Julie is a retired elementary school teacher and also a retired R.N. As a teacher, she always incorporated nature ecology into her teaching and planning for children. And in her role as a R.N., she incorporated nature to support her patients in learning about good nutrition through gardening and through breathing techniques to reduce their stress and anxiety.

When Learning Outside launched its first scholarship camp, she used her love of the natural world as a volunteer and witnessed the camp’s positive impact on each child served.

Julie sees her role as a Learning Outside Board member as giving her “a perfect place to support children through experiences in nature.” She also sees it as an opportunity for her “to keep making those experiences in nature possible for children by helping raise money in creative ways so Learning Outside can continue to have the great staff and resources there to support them!”

BOARD MEMBER

Frank grew up in rural Oxford, NC surrounded by forest land. “I had the good fortune to spend much of my youth outdoors, developing self-sufficiency, individualism and a strong love of nature. I recognized that Learning Outside provides those same benefits for children and was honored to join the Board to help increase those opportunities to a growing group of participants.” As an adult, Frank continues to love being outdoors; walking, running, golfing and bird watching.

Frank has over 40 years in the Wealth Management business and feels he can contribute much to the goals and growth of Learning Outside. He has served on many nonprofit Boards and is eager to help Learning Outside expand its reach as a resource for our community’s children.

He sees Learning Outside as providing children with essential life skills, “the tremendous educational benefits of learning about their environment, developing resiliency, and creatively collaborating with others.”

BOARD MEMBER

Judie became interested in Learning Outside the year she retired. With 30 years of teaching experience, a Masters in Early Childhood from Bank Street College and National Board Certification, she helped choose books for Learning Outside’s initial library to support children’s learning and understanding of the natural world.

“My passion for and experience with children's literature; along with my belief that children need to learn to be good stewards of the earth, was aligned with Learning Outside’s mission. I was also passionate about bringing Learning Outside to children who do not have the opportunity to experience the outdoors.”

Her commitment grew. Participating in Learning Outside’s first scholarship camp, she witnessed, “the enthusiasm and eagerness children brought to their camp experience, and how their eyes and minds were opened to respecting, caring and living in the outdoors.”

Judie continues to use her role on the Board to help expand children’s opportunities in nature.

BOARD MEMBER

Jazmin is Director of Landowner Relations at Finite Carbon and previously worked at the Conservation Fund for 12 years. Born in Costa Rica, she moved to the US in 1997 and attended Appalachian State University and later completed a Master of Environmental Management at Duke University.

Jazmin is an avid nature lover; a cyclist, runner, hiker and occasional climber!

In addition to her work on Learning Outside’s Board, Jazmin serves on the following Boards: NC State University College of Natural Resources Foundation, NC League of Conservation Voters, and the International Mountain Bicycling Association.

Jazmin was drawn to Learning Outside because, “I am committed to helping grow and support this organization; I believe we are at a pivotal time in the climate change crisis and LO is a model for how to nurture future citizens of the planet. Caring for the planet begins with building empathy for all forms of life since early childhood.”

BOARD MEMBER

Mikki’s childhood home bordered a space children called The Woods; a magical forest where uprooted trees became forts and spaceships and where she could wade in the creek in the summer and ice skate in the winter.

She brought her love of being outdoors to her early career teaching elementary physical education; incorporating the outdoors into her work with children in the mountains of Appalachia and along the shores of Chesapeake Bay.

Mikki has spent over 30 years in the nonprofit world, helping rural communities use their love of the land to address social and economic challenges. As a Board member, she is excited about Learning Outside’s work to help grow the next generation of community and environmental leaders.

“Seeing children play, learn and build relationships with nature and with each other gives me hope for the future. The life skills they learn, the connections they make, and the understanding and passion for nature they develop will bring them joy for a lifetime!”

BOARD MEMBER

Wendy is Learning Outside’s founder, Director, mentor for its instructors, a Lead Instructor in its Forest Kindergarten program and summer camps, and a non-voting member on Learning Outside’s Board.

Wendy grew-up outside; climbing trees, exploring creeks and ponds, building forts, birding and gardening with her dad. As an adult, she continued to immerse herself in nature; hiking, backpacking and camping.

She has over 40 years of experience as an educator, nonprofit director, outdoor learning teacher-trainer, and as an author and photographer. She co-authored Lens on Outdoor Learning with Ginny Sullivan, published by Redleaf Press in 2011.

Wendy has integrated time in nature into all of her work with children. “The natural world as a vital space all children need access to in order to thrive. Nature supports children’s healthy growth and development, sense of self, connection with the world around them, learning and a space in which to grow their love for nature as tomorrow’s custodians of our beloved wild spaces.”