YAMPATIKA STAFF MEMBERS

Sonja Macys, Executive Director

Sonja Macys took the reins as Executive Director in April of 2008. Her educational background includes a Masters in Parks and Protected Area Management, a certificate in Non-Profit Leadership and Management, and a B.A. in Anthropology and Environmental Studies. Her career as an Environmental Educator began in Mexico where she worked for Pronatura Peninsula de Yucatan, developing school programs, working with youth groups and direct resource users in the Peninsula’s Coastal Biosphere Reserves. She comes to us most recently from the Tucson Audubon Society where she was the Executive Director for six years. During her tenure there, the United States House of Representatives recognized Sonja for her leadership in conservation in Southeastern Arizona. When not working at Yampatika, Sonja can be found riding horses or enjoying bluegrass festivals throughout the state. Sonja's e-mail address is Sonja@yampatika.org
Lisa Nelson, Naturalist

Lisa was born in EvergreenColorado then traveled 3,242 miles to Hilo, Hawaii where she received a bachelors degree in Natural Science. It is clear Lisa enjoyed island life as she learned to swim, bike & run then toed the starting line and finished 9 Ironman races, 5 of which were the World championships. While training and racing Lisa found time to work as an Interpretive Guide and Tour Manager for Hawaii Forest & Trail, bringing 8 years of interpretive work to our organization. However "you can take a girl out of the mountains, but you can't take the mountains out of the girl!", thus Lisa found her way back home thanks to a summer naturalist position with Yampatika. She can be reached at Lisa@yampatika.org.

Michelle Visocky, Naturalist

Michelle grew up in Evergreen, CO and is a 4th generation Coloradoan. She has a degree in Applied Human Sciences in Interior Design as well as an Environmental Sciences Degree in Sustainable Community Restoration and Eco Design from Prescott College in Prescott, AZ. Michelle has over 4 years of environmental education experience and has been a snowboard instructor for eight years. She loves to hike, fish, bike, and explore on a regular basis. Michelle absolutely love kids and flowers, and will always be a mountain girl!

Elaine Sturges, Naturalist

Elaine received a BS in Environmental Interpretation from Colorado State University, BA in Elementary Education from the University of Wyoming, and MS & BS in Childhood Development and Early Childhood Development/Early Childhood Education from Cornell University. She has nearly 30 years of experience as an environmental educator and has received numerous awards for her work and publications in environmental education. Elaine is an avid square dancer and if you're lucky, she'll show you a few moves.

Elaine facilitates Yampatika’s naturalist-led hikes at Fish Creek Falls, Vista Nature Trail and Vista Verde Guest Ranch. She enjoys presenting a variety of school programs for all ages during the school year! During the Spring and Fall, Elaine conducts nature programs for all the Routt County Preschools and Child Care Centers. She loves birds and facilitates the birding sessions for the 6th grade BioRegion program co-sponsored by the BLM. Elaine presents programs on the Ute Indians for elementary school classes sponsored by the Craig-Scheckman grant and the Division of Wildlife TENS program. She is a Project WILD/Project Learning Tree facilitator for workshops for teachers and enjoys singing and playing the guitar. You can reach Elaine at Elaine@yampatika.org

Karen Vail, Naturalist

Karen Vail has been involved in Yampatika from its beginning--way back in the early 1990s. She is a naturalist's naturalist and her programs are very popular. You never knew that there was so much that you could be learn in a short hike. Karen Vail has recently published a book of beautiful wild flower photographs, entitled "For the Joy of Wildflowers: Colorado Creations," and she has a DVD on wildflowers in Colorado. Karen can be reached at Karen@yampatika.org.

Sue Nason, Administrative Coordinator

Sue grew up in Palatine, IL. She made it out to Colorado in1993, where she fell in love with everything to do with the mountains. She has lived in Denver and in Crested Butte, and made the move to Steamboat in December 2007. When she is not working at Yampatika, Sue is a Massage Therapist and is also enjoying the outdoors with her fiance and their dogs.