Audubon New Mexico Education Staff Biographies

DANA VACKAR STRANG, Education Manager
Dana was an Assistant Field Division Director (and previously the Education Coordinator) for the New Mexico State Land Office and has experience as a manager and educator, with leadership skills and the knowledge necessary to lead, develop and implement statewide education programs emphasizing natural resource conservation and sustainability through hands-on, experiential activities. She is the former President and a current board member of the Environmental Education Association of New Mexico, the former Chair of the Youth Conservation Corps Commission, and is the statewide coordinator, facilitator and teacher trainer for the national curriculum, Leopold Education Project (LEP). Dana’s bachelor degree in Political Science with a minor in Environmental Issues is from Colorado College and her master’s degree in Parks and Recreation, with an emphasis in Environmental Education, is from the University of New Mexico. She has experience with and enjoys horses, hiking, rock climbing, snowboarding, and mountain biking.

Jeremy Phillip, Environmental Education Specialist
Jeremy has many years of experience in both the public and private school sector most recently as a 5th grade science and general teacher at Topeka Collegiate School in Kansas. Jeremy has a BA in Environmental Studies from the University of Kansas, a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado at Denver, and had been completing courses towards a MBA at Washburn University before recently moving to New Mexico. Jeremy’s professional experience includes working at a nature center outside of Topeka, working for the Keystone Science School in Colorado as an Assistant Camp Director and as the lead Environmental Educator at YMCA’s Camp Shady Brook in Colorado. Jeremy is an experienced outdoor leader, currently has Wilderness First Responder certification and speaks Spanish.

Amy Roberts, Educator Naturalist
Amy Roberts has joined Audubon as the Educator Naturalist.  Amy has worked for Audubon in the past as an intern and contributed to the education staff by implementing and instructing various creative school programs at the Randall Davey Audubon Center. Amy’s experience and knowledge make her a valuable addition to the education staff as she recently started back by leading school programs and is currently expanding on curriculum she developed as an intern for the Girl Scouts of New Mexico.  Most recently, Amy was the Program Director for the Santa Fe Tree House Camp where she developed, marketed, designed and directed nature-based summer camp programs for youth 6 to 11 years of age.  Amy continues to inspire the younger generation to become enthusiastic environmental stewards. She has always been active in the outdoors and serviced as an outdoor educator after she received her B.A. from Tufts University and before she enjoyed a career in journalism and marketing. A passionate concern for the planet and for children’s need for experiences in nature has lead Amy back to the outdoors with the service-minded philosophy of “be the change you want to see in the world.” Amy is also in the midst of completing a Master’s program in Environmental Education through Prescott College.