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We are volunteers that are passionate about the environment, community science, and inspiring others to love our amazing Sonoran Desert 🌵 as much as we do.
Come meet us at an upcoming volunteer event or check out the Master Naturalist blog to learn more.
Questions? Email us: info-mcpmn@azmasternaturalist.org
Juanita Armstrong is the Natural Resource Specialist for Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department. She has more than 20 years’ experience planning and managing high quality natural areas and open space; from developing plans to implementing projects that improve the biodiversity and health of our natural open space public land
Juanita Armstrong is the Natural Resource Specialist for Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department. She has more than 20 years’ experience planning and managing high quality natural areas and open space; from developing plans to implementing projects that improve the biodiversity and health of our natural open space public lands. She enjoys mentoring, teaching, and working with environmental and natural resource-minded volunteers. She is passionate about natural resource management and maintaining the natural biodiversity within the county for current and future generations
Dr. Molina Walters known as Dr. Mo, has over 20 years of experience teaching educators and children about scientific inquiry, Environmental Education, and STEM. She is the course coordinator and teaches many of the Maricopa County Master Naturalist classes. Look forward to learning more about our amazing state and desert from her!
Michael Scherger serves as the President and
closely with the President-elect, Jess White, the past-President, Kathy Balman, and other board members to further the goals of the Maricopa County Chapter. Michael and his wife relocated to Phoenix from Washington DC during the pandemic, and both have a love for the southwest landscapes. Mic
Michael Scherger serves as the President and
closely with the President-elect, Jess White, the past-President, Kathy Balman, and other board members to further the goals of the Maricopa County Chapter. Michael and his wife relocated to Phoenix from Washington DC during the pandemic, and both have a love for the southwest landscapes. Michael is a former Peace Corps volunteer and an army veteran. He has degrees in history and public policy and currently works for the Department of the Interior.
Michael has especially enjoyed learning about the geology of the Sonoran Desert, and the landscapes of the area. He wanted to be a master naturalist to learn more about the desert biomes and meet new people; as well as continue to commitment to volunteering. The best part about being a Master Naturalist is being outside with a great group of people that share a love of the Arizona land and its many features and wildlife. Part of cohort four, he especially enjoyed the classes on the Sky Islands.Michael has two sons in college and a drum and bass playing daughter in school in Washington DC.
Jess White is a wildlife biologist working with the military to protect the endangered Sonoran Pronghorn. She has a passion for the natural world and enjoys using her enthusiasm to bring ecological understanding and appreciation to others. As a transplant from Delaware in 2017, she is constantly learning more about the Arizona landsca
Jess White is a wildlife biologist working with the military to protect the endangered Sonoran Pronghorn. She has a passion for the natural world and enjoys using her enthusiasm to bring ecological understanding and appreciation to others. As a transplant from Delaware in 2017, she is constantly learning more about the Arizona landscape and especially enjoys learning about native plants and pollinators. (Jess serves on the MCPMN Communications Committee)
Alexis Woods is originally from Houston, Texas, and moved to Arizona in 2005. She lives with her husband and two grade school-aged boys in Ahwatukee. Alexis currently works as an internal medicine physician in a private practice in Ahwatukee and as a hospitalist at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center Hospital. She earned her Doctor of Medic
Alexis Woods is originally from Houston, Texas, and moved to Arizona in 2005. She lives with her husband and two grade school-aged boys in Ahwatukee. Alexis currently works as an internal medicine physician in a private practice in Ahwatukee and as a hospitalist at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center Hospital. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio, and a Masters of Public Health from the University of Texas Houston School of Public Health. Alexis completed the Maricopa County Master Naturalist Program in Spring 2020 with Cohort 2. She serves as the current Vice President, and has served on the former Recruitment and Outreach Committee, as well as the Volunteer Projects Committee. Alexis and her family also have a home in the White Mountains of Arizona in Heber-Overgaard. She has completed both the University of Arizona’s Maricopa County Master Gardener Program and the Northern Arizona Home Horticulture Program in Spring 2021. She volunteers with Friends of the Tonto, participating in the Riparian Photopoint Program and the Milkweed Watering Program. She also participates in the Desert Botanical Garden’s Tonto Rare Plant Program. Her primary interests are riparian areas, native plants, pollinator plants, and birds.
Beth Slikas
Sharon Beal
I belong to Cohort 4 from 2022. Moving to AZ in 2015 as a snowbird was like rediscovering my soul. The desert is so amazing! One of the first things I did was connect with White Tanks Mountain Conservancy. We provide education and stewardship, working in both White Tank Regional Park and Buckeye Skyline Municipal Park. One o
Sharon Beal
I belong to Cohort 4 from 2022. Moving to AZ in 2015 as a snowbird was like rediscovering my soul. The desert is so amazing! One of the first things I did was connect with White Tanks Mountain Conservancy. We provide education and stewardship, working in both White Tank Regional Park and Buckeye Skyline Municipal Park. One of the best things I did was volunteer with the group that were involved in completing a Floristic Survey of the White Tank Mountains. I got to hike off trail, collect specimens, visit the Desert Botanical Herbarium and learned so much about SW plants! I still find them fascinating and look forward to wildflower season every year. Fingers crossed for what should be an awesome one this year.
The AZ Master Naturalist program has opened many new opportunities for me. I love interacting with like-minded people. It has made me appreciate the Sonoran Desert even more and opened many avenues to give back. I undertook Desert Defender Training and will be leading Invasive Species removal events this spring in both White Tank and Estrella Regional Parks. Check out our Calendar and come out and find how to Identify the Bad Guys and help get rid of a few. There is also a new Pollinator Garden in Estrella Park that I’m helping with.
All this learning and volunteering has given me great satisfaction. I’ve learned to appreciate many more things, both here in the SW and at home in Canada. Can’t say more than that eh?
Karen Schedler’s love of the natural world led her into Environmental Education, where she worked in education programs at The Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, and the Center for Teacher Success. She now consults as Natural Teacher LLC, facilitates EiE (Engineering Is Elementary) workshops, serves as a Master Naturalist,
Karen Schedler’s love of the natural world led her into Environmental Education, where she worked in education programs at The Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, and the Center for Teacher Success. She now consults as Natural Teacher LLC, facilitates EiE (Engineering Is Elementary) workshops, serves as a Master Naturalist, and is an ASU Faculty Associate. She considers working on climate change to be her most urgent work.
Kim Andrews moved to Arizona in 2018 when she fell in love with the Sonoran Desert with its many mysteries. Having been a Texas Master Naturalist, she sought answers through the Arizona Master Naturalist program. Kim and her husband attended the first Master Naturalist course provided in the county in Spring 2019. She has supported the c
Kim Andrews moved to Arizona in 2018 when she fell in love with the Sonoran Desert with its many mysteries. Having been a Texas Master Naturalist, she sought answers through the Arizona Master Naturalist program. Kim and her husband attended the first Master Naturalist course provided in the county in Spring 2019. She has supported the chapter in many capacities as it continues to grow each year. Serving on numerous chapter committees prepared her for the chapter president position. Now Kim feels she has put down new roots into the Sonoran Desert as she learned about its secrets while meeting like-minded people through the Master Naturalist program.
Kathy Balman is a veteran homeschool mom of 2 angels, naturalist, chronic pain warrior, artist, wanderluster, writer, fieldtrip expert, bird nerd, community science addict, public speaker, homeschool group leader, literacy advocate, and technology wizard. She is the founder of and educator of an environmental education program called Educ
Kathy Balman is a veteran homeschool mom of 2 angels, naturalist, chronic pain warrior, artist, wanderluster, writer, fieldtrip expert, bird nerd, community science addict, public speaker, homeschool group leader, literacy advocate, and technology wizard. She is the founder of and educator of an environmental education program called Educating Children Outdoors.
Kathy has a particular interest in getting children outside and immersed in nature which she has been doing with her own children since they were just a few days old.
Kathy is an AZ Certified Environmental Educator, NAI Certified Interpretive Guide, USNPN Certified Phenology Leader Outdoor Wildlife Leader, Conservation Leader, Master Naturalist (in GA and AZ), GA Master Birder, National Geographic Certified Educator. She is certified in Project Wet, Project Wild, Project Learning Tree, Aquatic Wild, wilderness first aid certified, and CPR certified. She also serves on multiple boards. Kathy was awarded the Outstanding Environmental Education Program award in 2021 by AAEE and the Educator of the Yaar award in 2022 by AZGFD.
Don Begley has always enjoyed the outdoors and has a natural curiosity that feeds a desire to learn. The Master Naturalist program has provides learnings and personal experiences from the association with like-minded people that are not readily available from other programs. Don looks forward to helping improve our community’s understanding of our natural environment.
Rebeca Rodriguez serves on the MCPMN Communications Committee
Jodie Snyder is a native Arizonan, Jodie Snyder has spent most of her life writing about the state’s triumphs and challenges. A former reporter with The Arizona Republic, she now works for Banner Health. She has two energetic beagles and has written “Happy Dog Phoenix,’’ which benefited Phoenix area animal rescues. She enjoys hiking an
Jodie Snyder is a native Arizonan, Jodie Snyder has spent most of her life writing about the state’s triumphs and challenges. A former reporter with The Arizona Republic, she now works for Banner Health. She has two energetic beagles and has written “Happy Dog Phoenix,’’ which benefited Phoenix area animal rescues. She enjoys hiking and hopes to finish the Maricopa Trail one of these days. As a master naturalist, she helped create the county’s natural resource plan, harvested and grew native seeds and kept track of the beetle population in Phoenix.
Emily Williams moved to Arizona in 2017 from Indiana. She lives in Tempe with her husband, three sons, and her very loud dog. Emily loves spring ephemeral wildflowers. aquatic ecology, and geology. She has an MS in Environmental Science and works at ASU as a Laboratory Coordinator.Emily currently volunteers with the Beetle Brigade
Emily Williams moved to Arizona in 2017 from Indiana. She lives in Tempe with her husband, three sons, and her very loud dog. Emily loves spring ephemeral wildflowers. aquatic ecology, and geology. She has an MS in Environmental Science and works at ASU as a Laboratory Coordinator.Emily currently volunteers with the Beetle Brigade and No More Deaths Phoenix. (Emily serves on the MCPMN Communications Committee and Curriculum Committee)
Rachel Hewitt is an Army Logistics Officer, Biologist, and Biomimicry Professional Rachel is a certified Master Naturalist who obtained her certification in 2020. She graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Conservation Biology and Ecological Sustainability and a Master of Science degree in Biomimicry.
Rachel Hewitt is an Army Logistics Officer, Biologist, and Biomimicry Professional Rachel is a certified Master Naturalist who obtained her certification in 2020. She graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Conservation Biology and Ecological Sustainability and a Master of Science degree in Biomimicry. She serves in the military as a logistics officer with the Arizona Army National Guard with a current total of twenty-three years of service. Rachel brings her passion for natural sciences and community stewardship to both professional and volunteer career paths with an emphasis on exploring and researching biomimetic approaches to solving everyday challenges. Her science interests include entomology, biochemistry, astrobiology, and biophysics. Rachel aspires to
be a thought-leader and change-agent through the lens of biomimicry. In her free time, Rachel loves to research and learn more about nature, hike, and especially enjoys exploring the gifts of nature with her family.
Tawsha Trahan has a passion for projects and a love of farmers, food, and promoting equitable opportunities. Organizations invested in climate action are my interest, and being a Master Naturalist provides another layer of knowledge and understanding, to assist in those efforts.
Kevin was transplanted to the Sonoran desert at age 11 from the suburbs of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Forty-some years of living here has taught him a profound appreciation and respect for the toughnessand resilience of desert life. His passion is connecting people and nature, protecting all things wild, and being a curious human. When he’s no
Kevin was transplanted to the Sonoran desert at age 11 from the suburbs of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Forty-some years of living here has taught him a profound appreciation and respect for the toughnessand resilience of desert life. His passion is connecting people and nature, protecting all things wild, and being a curious human. When he’s not working as an Educator at the Phoenix Zoo, you might find him volunteering with Liberty Wildlife, Friends of the Tonto National Forest, or the Maricopa County Parks and Rec Department. He received a B.A. in English from ASU, a M.Ed. in Secondary Education from
Grand Canyon University, and is certified as an Interpretive Guide through NAI. His home is in Peoria, where he lives with his wife, two daughters, two dogs (both female), and a guinea pig (you guessed it – female!) named Chocolate. He encourages everyone to become a curious human, and to get started today wherever you are, even if it’s just your own backyard. In fact, if you’re curious to see an assortment of plants and critters he has found in his own backyard, check out iNaturalist. Look for the house in Peoria covered in green, red and a few blue dots.
Karen Hajek - Devoted to the outdoors and learning from individual experience and from those with more knowledge about the flora and fauna that inhabit the land--especially the Sonoran desert. I would like to contribute time and effort to preserve, protect and enjoy those experiences along the way.
John Jung retired in June 2018 from teaching Environmental Science at Mesa High School. His 36 years as a successful Arizona secondary school science and math teacher were recognized numerous times with the 2017 North American Association of Environmental Education K-12 Educator of the Year Award, 2014 Scadden Teacher of the Year, 2011 N
John Jung retired in June 2018 from teaching Environmental Science at Mesa High School. His 36 years as a successful Arizona secondary school science and math teacher were recognized numerous times with the 2017 North American Association of Environmental Education K-12 Educator of the Year Award, 2014 Scadden Teacher of the Year, 2011 NAAEE Columbia Scholarship, 2004 AAEE Educator Award, and others. He's been highlighted in the Arizona Republic, the East Valley Tribune, and ABC15 News. John initiated and led the development of a 1-acre Sonoran desert garden on Mesa High's campus. Established in 2015, the Garden of the B's has been awarded $33,000 in grants and donations, and received multiple recognitions including the Phoenix Sun's "Green Team Award" and Arizona Diamondbacks' School Challenge. John joined Maricopa Master Naturalists Cohort 4 in January 2022 in order to connect with volunteering and educational opportunities in natural history. His retirement years have already been filled by volunteering (at the Garden, Tempe Community Action Agency, and his son's fix-er-upper duplex), traveling with his wife (Wendy) of 38 years, birding during their travels (see photo of least tern in Pensacola FL dropping a bio-bomb), golfing, cooking for friends and family, and yoga.
Leah Fietsam is an elementary school teacher and lifelong learner. She has been traveling to Arizona since 2000 and became an Arizona Master Naturalist after moving to Scottsdale permanently in 2021. Her interests are environmental education, interpretive trail guiding, and place-based education. She is also interested in the social emoti
Leah Fietsam is an elementary school teacher and lifelong learner. She has been traveling to Arizona since 2000 and became an Arizona Master Naturalist after moving to Scottsdale permanently in 2021. Her interests are environmental education, interpretive trail guiding, and place-based education. She is also interested in the social emotional benefits of time spent outdoors for both children and adults. Becoming an AZMN has been a great way to meet new people, learn about her new home, and become an active steward of the Sonoran Desert. Two of the most surprising aspects of becoming an AZMN have been learning the great variety of ways to volunteer, and learning from the other cohort members’ varied interests. Leah’s other interests include yoga (she is a 200 hour RYT), trail running, and nature journaling.
As a recent transplant from the Pacific Northwest, I’ve always been awed by the wonders of the natural world and I have learned over time, that if I just slow down and take a closer look, those wonders reveal secrets that have helped me grow and prosper in ways I never could have imagined!So when approached about the Master Naturalist pro
As a recent transplant from the Pacific Northwest, I’ve always been awed by the wonders of the natural world and I have learned over time, that if I just slow down and take a closer look, those wonders reveal secrets that have helped me grow and prosper in ways I never could have imagined!So when approached about the Master Naturalist program, I became excited to learn more about the wonders of this “new” Sonoran Desert that I now live in along with the ancient inhabitants who lived here before me.After going through the training, the richness of the science-based information and the quality of instructors blew me away! I mean, I never would have known that we live in a “horse latitude desert” (which exists on the western edge of every large continent near the 30° latitude), that our desert gets it’s summer moisture from the Sea of Cortez, and that we are home to over 500 bird species or 75% of the entire U.S. bird fauna! But besides the education, what has impressed me most is the multitude of volunteer opportunities available to help make a difference in the local area and the incredible like-minded people you meet along the way.
Hello! I am a native of Seattle WA and have lived most of my years in the Pacific Northwest. I was relocated by my employer to sunny Arizona in 2019 and am fully embracing this colorful desert life. I became interested in the Master Naturalist Program while my husband, Larry, was exploring the possibilities and I decided to apply along w
Hello! I am a native of Seattle WA and have lived most of my years in the Pacific Northwest. I was relocated by my employer to sunny Arizona in 2019 and am fully embracing this colorful desert life. I became interested in the Master Naturalist Program while my husband, Larry, was exploring the possibilities and I decided to apply along with him since we thought it would be an opportunity to learn and grow as individuals and as a couple since we both love the great outdoors. Being in the Cohort 4 group together has turned out to be exactly that! Our conversations during dinner, or in the car, or on a walk or hike have often centered around all we are learning and discovering about our “new” home state. It has been super fun to have field labs in places we have never yet been to, and also to learn about the many organizations that are doing amazing work in support of all things nature in this beautiful land. I look forward to serving our Master Naturalist chapter as a member of the Outreach Committee, and I look forward to future volunteer activities likely related to my love of the Tonto National Forest.
Esther Zanovitch is an Arizona native with a deep love and passion for the Sonoran desert. She was interested in becoming a master naturalist because she is a lifelong learner who wants to deepen her understanding of nature. The best part of being a Master Naturalist is learning to see things from a different perspective.
My undergraduate degree is in the life sciences and I became an active volunteer for the city parks department in another state. When moving to Arizona, I desired to continue to give back and learn more about Arizona. Becoming a Master Naturalist helped me achieve both of these goals. I am enjoying discovering the many opportunities wi
My undergraduate degree is in the life sciences and I became an active volunteer for the city parks department in another state. When moving to Arizona, I desired to continue to give back and learn more about Arizona. Becoming a Master Naturalist helped me achieve both of these goals. I am enjoying discovering the many opportunities with organizations I wasn’t aware of, continuous educational opportunities and meeting new people through both.
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