The Nature of Things

Staff

Deborah Mumford: continues to direct the programs and services of "The Nature of Things," the outreach program she originally designed for young children in 1981.  She has worked in the field of Environmental Education for more than 30 years as an educator, writer, naturalist, administrator, undergraduate educator, and is affectionately known throughout the New York Metropolitan area as "The Critter Lady."  In addition to an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education, a graduate degree in Public Administration, and a short course diploma in Early Childhood Education, Ms. Mumford is NYS certified in Elementary Education, Special Education, and Educational Supervision and Administration.  She is currently a third year Ed.D student studying early childhood education as part of an Insructional Leadership program at Western Connecticut State University.  Ms. Mumford teaches kindergarten in the Edgemont School District and continues to share nature education with children and educators in her spare time at "The Nature of Things."  

Edward Voliva:  joined "The Nature of Things" in June 2006 as our Animal Curator.  He has the very time-consuming and important job of taking care of our animals.    He can attest to the fact that having over 160 animals is an enormous amount of work!  He spends hours every day helping us to keep our animals clean, happy, healthy and fed.  When not working for us, he also works part time for UPS loading and unloading trucks.    

Mary Ellen Gilstad, AS: joined "The Nature of Things" in 1993 as a secretary and an all around organizer at the busy Mumford household, which included 3 children in addition to all the animals.  She continues to serve as the office manager and receptionist and helps keep us all in-line and on-time.    She occasionally fills in as a naturalist and part-time animal care worker.  She enjoys traveling,  boating and spending time with her young adult daughters Shannon and Ashley. 

Allan Mumford : is the  Co-Owner and Financial Manager of "The Nature of Things."  His background includes an undergraduate degree in business administration and marketing, and more than 40 years in retail and customer service.  On any given day, before or after his regular job, Mr. Mumford can do anything from juggling payroll and accounts payable to finding us the best price on crickets or health insurance!  His shopping trips for fresh fruits and vegetables for hungry tortoises and iguanas have made him quite famous at the local supermarket.

Carol Richards:

Education Staff

Full Time Education Staff:

Carrie Marshall, BS: is the Education Coordinator for "The Nature of Things."  She received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Environmental Studies/Biological Applications from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY in 2001.  She joined “The Nature of Things” staff in June 2002 and has worked with people of all ages, from toddlers to college students.  She worked as a Teaching Assistant in college as a Peer Consultant/Writing Tutor with her fellow students.  She has also worked for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in Ray Brook, NY, as an Environmental Education Assistant.  Carrie, along with her other program responsibilities as a naturalist, is continuing to manage the day to day operations of our program for our teachers and live animal curator.  She is constantly working to expand the live animal collection and knowledge of our naturalists.  She is very passionate about educating children on the workings of the natural world and looks forward to sharing her knowledge with you.

April Sullivan, BA: is in her fourth year as a naturalist at "The Nature of Things," and hails from Guilderland, NY.  April received her bachelors degree in Zoology from Connecticut College in 2004.  She has also completed a wildlife management program in Kenya through Boston University.  After an internship at PAWS wildlife rehabilitation center in Seattle, where she worked with everything from opossums and raccoons to  hawks and owls, she worked for two years at Nature's Classroom in Connecticut as an environmental educator before joining us at "The Nature of Things."

Part Time Education Staff:

Ed Schneller, BA: is one of our part-time teachers, and has been with "The Nature of Things" since September 2002.  Ed especially loves to teach elementary level nature programs.  He has a BA in History from Iona College, and over 90 credits above his BA in science and classroom management.  Ed brings to us 37 years of teaching elementary and middle school science.  He taught for 33 years at Roaring Brook Elementary and Middle Schools in Chappaqua, New York.  He is also a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator, enjoys playing the guitar, and is an avid cartooner.  In his spare time, Ed cares for his own private collection of fish and reptiles.   

Lee Fleming, BS, AS:  previously worked for "The Nature of Things" for nearly 3 years, and returned to us in September 2009.  We are very happy to have her back with the rest of our teaching staff!  Before teaching here, Lee worked at Blythedale Children's Hospital as a Recreation Specialist and Supervisor for 8 years.  In her spare time, she also substitutes in the Brewster School District.

Cora Mitchell:  began working for "The Nature of Things" as an intern in October 2005.  Cora works as an assistant animal curator and is now teaching some of our school programs.  She is always eager and willing to fill in for us whenever we need her!  In her spare time she works in child care and attends college part-time. 

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