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 Nature Center in 1995.
She enjoys hiking, gardening, creative endeavors, cooking, and hanging out with her two sons, Sam and Charlie, in the outdoors.
Mike Reichert, aka Evergreen: Director of Operations
Mike grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from BGSU and an MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Ohio Dominican University.
He taught ESL in public education in Dublin, Ohio before moving to California for 4 years, and now lives permanently in Nederland. Prior to those experiences, Mike taught English in Korea, Mexico, and Costa Rica. He also spent 11 years working for Apple, Inc. before getting hired full-time with Wild Bear in October 2018.
Mike LOVES the outdoors and fondly remembers going to Summer Camp as a kid!
Michelle Witte, aka Roots: Nature Education Director
Michelle grew up in Colorado Springs, exploring all of colorful Colorado as a young girl. She moved to northern California shortly after high school and lived there for almost 10 years before enthusiastically moving back to Colorado to join the Wild Bear team as our Nature Education Director.
During her time out west she received her BS in Environmental Management and Protection from Humboldt State University and worked as an educator and naturalist in Yosemite National park, and the Lake Tahoe region.
She is a firm believer in the power of education and a connection to nature as means to protecting the environment and way for people to thrive. Michelle loves to practice yoga, travel, backpack, snowboard, rock climb, dance, and learn new things!
Mo Brady aka River Otter: Office Manager
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Mo is passionate about water and watershed conservation. She worked for the Cleveland Metroparks, a state park system in Cleveland, for six years and grew to love environment restoration and watershed health.
Her passion for the outdoors was fostered by lots of childhood family camping trips and helping with cleanup of the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland.
Mo holds a BA in English Literature and Creative Writing from American University in Washington, DC, and is thrilled to be able to combine her passion for the environment with her love of creativity and community building.
Adwoa Lemieux, aka Calypso Orchid: Year-Round Environmental Educator
Adwoa Lemieux lives in Gold Hill and leads our 10+ programs in the summer, bringing them to high peaks and to the CU Mountain Research Station. She also leads youth nature workshops during our After-School Program. This winter, Adwoa will be leading our SnowSchool Program with local climate scientists.
Adwoa has worked in the outdoor sports field for many years. She is a ski instructor at Eldora where she specializes in all levels of ski lessons.
She was the director of the waterfront at Farm and Wilderness where she taught boating and swim lessons. She loves being on the mountain, hiking, and always looks for where the most flowers are blooming!
Debora Martin, aka Sleeper Bear: Summer NCAR Fridays
Debora leads our 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.”
Gabbie: 2019 Nature Educator
Gabbie moved from New York to Colorado to pursue an adventure lifestyle and to study environmental sustainability at CU Boulder.
Upon graduation in 2018, Gabbie has worked with a water quality consulting company, Eldora mountain, and some local organic farms. She is an avid hiker and snowboarder, and believes that connections with the environment through education and recreation can help prepare to address pressing environmental challenges.
Now, as a Nederland resident, Gabbie is excited to share her passion for the outdoors with Wild Bear!
Art Abramson: Fly Fishing Educator
Originally from northern Michigan, Art worked for nearly 50 years as a Forester in the woods of the northern Lake States, New England states, and Colorado.
He has been a Ski Instructor at both Copper Mountain and Eldora Resorts in Colorado for the past 19 years. Art has been fishing, primarily for trout, since early childhood, and a fly fisherman and fly tier for nearly 50 years.
Megan Stair: 2019 Summer Intern
Megan is a senior at Colorado State University. Majoring in fish, wildlife, and conservation biology, Megan wants to work with the conservation of endangered species when she graduates.
Megan loves animals and watching them in their natural habitats. She loves the outdoors and spends as much time outside as she can. Being in nature and exploring with her dogs is her favorite thing to do in her free time. She is looking forward to working with kids and inspiring them to love and care for the nature all around them.
Megan believes it is very important to educate young people to take care of the planet. She’s so excited to be a part of the Wild Bear team!
Jacob Zionts: 2019 Summer Intern
Jacob studies Environmental Science at the University of Colorado. He loves hiking, climbing, and falling asleep on top of mountains.
He’s new to Wild Bear as an intern, but has been a wild bear camper for years.
Jacob looks forward to spending a fantastic summer outdoors, preferably 6 feet away from any mountain lions!
Emma aka Acorn: 2019 Summer Intern
Emma is a junior at the University of Colorado Boulder majoring in Environmental Studies with minors in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Geography, and Space!
Growing up in Colorado has given Emma a love for our wildlife and natural systems and she is so excited to explore that more this summer. In her free time she likes to hike with her dog, ride her horse, and go on camping trips with friends.
