Jill Dreves, aka Green Darner: Executive Director
Jill Dreves holds a Master of Science degree in Museum and Field Studies in Museum Administration, a BS in Human Development and Family Studies, and she received her elementary teaching certificate in 1989. Jill taught elementary school for 9 years and was a naturalist with the Vail Nature Center before founding Wild Bear Center in 1995. She enjoys hiking, telemark skiing, creative endeavors, and playing with her two sons, Sam and Charlie, in the outdoors.
Julian Cassano, aka Grey Whale Education Coordinator
Julian is a recent graduate of the University of California, San Diego with a degree in Biochemistry and Cellular Biology. He spent much of is undergraduate career conducting research in the department of Ecology, Behavior and Evolution regarding honeybee communication and also traveled to Costa Rica to work with a rare species of tropical stingless bees. Although having been born in Ashland, Oregon, Julian grew up in southern California and couldn’t be happier to be living in the mountains once again. Julian loves running, surfing, hiking, birding and learning about all of the wonderful organisms in the forest. As you may have guessed, Julian’s favorite animal is the honeybee and he can’t wait to get the summer started with the amazing Wild Naturalists at Wild Bea
Debora Martin, aka Sleeper Bear: Fall/Winter/Spring Bear Cubs and Kinder Nature, Summer NederRangers and NCAR Fridays
Debora leads our Nederbugs workshops for 5-6 year olds and NCAR Fridays workshops for 5-8 year olds during the summer months. She loves the outdoors and enjoys sharing her enthusiasm with children. She has been with BVSD as an Early Childhood Educator since 1995, a Volunteer Naturalist with the City of Boulder OSMP since 2007, and has been a Volunteer with the Division of Wildlife since 2006. “As a long time Educator and Interpreter, I’ve learned that an early appreciation of nature grows into a life of affection and respect. I believe children should use their senses and imagination when learning about the wondrous world around us. Wild Bear lets me use my experience to give children a great foundation on which they can build their own desire to explore and find joy in the outdoors.”
Marley Pegler, aka Mud Fox, Year-Round Environmental Educator
Marley is super excited to be an instructor with the Mountain Rangers at Wild Bear this Summer. During the school year she works with Wild Bear’s After School Program and is a Special Education para-educator at Nederland Elementary School. You might find her running around in the woods with kids, hiking with her black cat, or gardening. She loves to learn new things and explore. If you speak another language or want to learn come find her at Wild Bear!
Adwoa Lemieux, aka Calypso Orchid, Year-Round Environmental Educator
Adwoa Lemieux has worked in the outdoor sports field for many years. She is a ski instructor at Eldora where she specializes in all levels of children’s ski lessons. She was the director of the waterfront at Farm and Wilderness where she taught boating and swim lessons. She loves being on mountain hiking, lives in Gold Hill and looks for hikes where the most flowers are blooming. Her favorite wildflower might be the calypso orchid or the columbine or elephant head . Her favorite color is purple.
