Tamar has directed the tremendously successful, nationally recognized Hawaii Nature Center (HNC) since 1986. Under her leadership, HNC grew to serve more than 50,000 children and families each year, and won three national awards and much local recognition as a leader in environmental education. Tamar serves by appointment of the governor of Hawaii on the state Environmental Council, is past president and a founder of the Hawaii Environmental Education Association, chaired the Education Committee for the 1993 Legislative Environmental Summit, and serves on the board of directors, advisory panels and committees of several other education and environment-related organizations. In 1990 she received the Nancy Hanks Memorial Award for professional excellence from the American Association of Museums, and in 1993, the United Nations Environmental Leadership award. NAS has signed a letter of intent to merge with Hawaii Nature Center (HNC) to form a state office in Hawaii; Tamar's replacement at HNC will become executive director of the new state office.