Leadership
The Education Operating Committee provides governance and leadership to Project Learning Tree. The committee’s responsibilities include:
- Recommending goals and policies for PLT and other educational programs
- Developing annual operating plans and budgets for the Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s (SFI) Board of Directors’ approval
- Assisting with fundraising activities
- Participating in PLT’s programs and activities
- Initiating strategic planning for PLT and other SFI education programs
PLT National Staff
Nadine Block
Senior VP, Network Initiatives
Nadine.Block@forests.org
Nadine leads the Education and Community pillars at SFI, with a focus on advancing collaboration between the SFI network and local communities. Her work supports the capacity of the SFI network, strengthens relationships with government leaders, and utilizes SFI’s community grants to advance forest sustainability and outreach at the local level. Prior to joining SFI in 2010, she was Director of Forest Policy at the American Forest & Paper Association and Program Manager at the Pinchot Institute for Conservation. Nadine has over 25 years of professional experience on forest policy and holds a Master of Forestry degree from the Yale School of the Environment and a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Williams College. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband, twin sons, and rescue dog, enjoys hiking and camping, and volunteers with their local Boy Scouts troop.
Melissa Taggart
Senior Director, Development and Strategy
Melissa.Taggart@forests.org
Melissa is leading Project Learning Tree’s (PLT) 50th anniversary campaign. PLT’s approach to environmental education uses trees and forests as windows on the world. Melissa leverages PLT’s approach to position her fundraising as an opportunity to engage donors on the importance and benefits of environmental education. Prior to joining SFI, Melissa worked at the U.S. Forest Service as an Environmental Education Specialist, where she helped to manage the agency’s partnership with PLT. She also directed the TogetherGreen program at the National Audubon Society where she oversaw a $25 million partnership with Toyota. Melissa holds a Master of Science in Environmental Education and Environmental Psychology from the University of Michigan. Outside work, she enjoys spending time outside with her family in Takoma Park, MD.
Ana Leirner
Senior Director, Professional Learning and Education Products
Ana.Leirner@forests.org
Ana designs and develops high-quality professional development materials and programming to prepare educators to integrate PLT environmental education materials into their teaching. Ana is focused on helping educators become comfortable teaching outdoors in urban, suburban, and rural environments. Ana creates engaging and hands-on online courses and supports the PLT network in delivering in-person professional development using best practices in educator professional development. Previously she worked as an instructional designer in various industries, designing online professional development courses for a diverse audience, including K-8 STEM teachers in Latin America. Ana holds an Ed.M. in Educational Media and Technology from Boston University, an MBA from Fundação Getulio Vargas in São Paulo, Brazil, and a B.A. in Psychology from Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo.
Rocco Saracina
Director, Strategic Partnerships
Rocco.Saracina@forests.org
Rocco develops strategies and builds partnerships advancing an appreciation for nature and enhancing connections among healthy communities to nature-based education, social and emotional wellness, and environmental conservation. His experience spans a decade in the conservation and environmental education sector and features a wide breadth of programmatic experiences and network connections. Rocco serves on the executive leadership team of the Society of American Forester’s (SAF) Diversity and Inclusion Working Group. Before joining SFI in 2013, he conducted fire ecology field studies as a U.S. Forest Service technician and stream geomorphology and habitat assessments with an environmental consulting firm. He holds an M.S. in Natural Resource Sustainability from Virginia Tech and a B.S. in Environmental Science from Humboldt State University.
Mary Westlund
Manager, Education Systems
Mary.Westlund@forests.org
Mary supports ongoing and new PLT program initiatives. She streamlines delivery logistics, manages communications with program partners, and enhances our data insights and reporting tools. Mary brings a wealth of experience in environmental education, program management, event coordination, and direct classroom experience. Most recently, she served as Associate Director at the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education, where she also provided leadership as the PLT State Coordinator. Mary earned a Master of Education in Teaching and Learning from Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania. Outside work, Mary enjoys cycling, tending to her small garden, and discovering hidden parks, scenic trails, and vibrant green spaces.
Shuya Huang-Young
Senior Coordinator, Education Systems
Shuya.Huang@forests.org
Shuya supports green career pathways for diverse youth and helps form strong partnerships with forest and conservation sector employers. She enjoys hiking and spending time outdoors in her free time. Prior to joining PLT, Shuya worked as a biologist at a ecological consulting firm, a field researcher at a Chinese environmental NGO, and organized several events at the United Nations Conventions. Fluent in English and Mandarin, and practicing French, Shuya has a Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of Toronto.
Lola Ilelaboye
Senior Coordinator, PLT Data Systems & Operations
lola.Ilelaboye@forests.org
Lola supports and collaborates with SFI education team members across the US and Canada. Together, they work to achieve the goals of the SFI Education Pillar primarily through supporting SFI’s education program Project Learning Tree (PLT). Through PLT, SFI advances environmental literacy, stewardship, and career pathways using trees and forests as windows on the world. Lola’s work encompasses network relationship management and operational system priorities, program research and strategy, and delivery and reporting. Lola also prioritizes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in all her work and gives priority to Indigenous ways of knowing in developing, executing, and communicating all SFI-led or partnered projects. Prior to joining SFI, Lola worked for leading global media and technology companies. She also has experience in the museum, film, and music sectors. Lola holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba. Away from work she enjoys travelling, all things arts and culture related, and spending time with her young son.
Jaclyn Stallard
Curriculum Advisor and Network Lead
Jaclyn.Stallard@forests.org
Jackie oversees the next generation of PLT’s PreK-12 environmental education materials, as well as other instructional materials and resources. She also directs strategic alliances that advance curriculum implementation with other environmental education and sustainability resource providers at the national level. Jackie presents and exhibits PLT’s curriculum and SFI programs at education and conservation conferences across the United States. Three curricula Jackie developed have won Teachers’ Choice Awards, and she regularly serves as an Envirothon Judge for national competitions. Jackie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania and a Master of Science in Ecological Teaching and Learning from Lesley University in Massachusetts.
PLT Internship Program
Learn more about opportunities to join PLT as an intern here.