About Our NHFS Instructors

Paula Becker is an Ecologist with the MD Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program. She manages restoration efforts of the rare community of Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area, oversees volunteers, outreach and education, conducts rare species surveys, and other projects for the State’s nongame and endangered species program. Prior to join MD DNR, she served as a naturalist for New Jersey State Parks and Forests, provided Integrated Pest Management at a native plants nursery, and trained as a wildlife rehabilitator in Seattle, Washington. She holds a double B.S. in Forest Biology and Resource Management, from the State University of New York – College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry. Go, Mighty Oaks!

Rick Borchelt is the Director for Communications at the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. He has led many field trips in bird and butterfly identification and conservation and participates in national butterfly counts. B.A., Biology, Southeast Missouri State University. Graduate hours in entomology and science writing.

Carrie Fitzgerald is a professor at Montgomery College in the Engineering, Physical, and Computer Sciences department where she teaches astronomy and physics. She also serves as the director of The Montgomery College Astronomical Observatory located on the Rockville campus. Carrie earned her B.S. from Stetson University where she majored in Physics. She completed her M.S. and Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Rachel Gauza is a Principal Natural Resources Specialist with the Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission where she coordinates the biological monitoring program for Montgomery Parks. Ms. Gauza specializes in herpetology and aquatic ecology and has worked as a biologist and environmental educator throughout the DC Metropolitan area for more than 15 years. A champion for community science, she coordinated the FrogWatch USA monitoring program nationally and locally, and was a co-coordinator, steering committee member, and review panel expert for the five-year Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas. B.A., Biology, Music; Hood College.

Serenella Linares is the Principal Park Naturalist at Mount Rainier Nature Center in Prince George’s County and the former Director of Adult Education and Co-Chair of Naturally Latinos Conference at Nature Forward. In addition to her graduate training in Mycology from the University of Maryland, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in biology from Universidad Metropolitana de Puerto Rico, and a Master’s degree in Atmospheric Science from Howard University. When Ms. Linares is not teaching, she explores natural areas, photographs nature around her, and participates in community science projects.

Joe Marx teaches physical and historical geology at Northern Virginia Community College, and leads geological field trips for Nature Forward. M.S., Geochemistry, California Institute of Technology. B.S., Chemistry, Georgetown University.

Stephanie Mason is the Senior Naturalist for the Nature Forward. She teaches classes and leads field trips for Nature Forward both in the mid-Atlantic and much farther afield. B.A., Goshen College.

Teresa McTigue is an ecologist with NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, located in Silver Spring, MD. Her science portfolio is diverse, ranging from coastal ecology and restoration to the restoration of mesophotic and deep-sea coral communities to work in the forecasting of harmful algal blooms. Ph.D., Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University.

Gemma Radko is the Communications/Media Manager for the American Bird Conservancy. She completed MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) training through the Institute for Bird Populations in1998. A licensed bird bander, she operated the MAPS station at Adventure in Potomac, MD. B.A., Allegheny College.

Bradley Simpson is the Restoration Manager for the Nature Forward, working to improve habitat quality at Woodend Nature Sanctuary. He has led the effort to survey the trees of Woodend’s forest, tagging over 4,000 trees. B.S., Environmental Science and Policy with a concentration in Wildlife Ecology and Habitat Management, University of Maryland.

Cathy Stragar manages the Plant Protection and Weed Management’s bio control program for the Maryland Department of Agriculture. She has a Masters in Entomology from the University of Delaware and is a lifelong naturalist and educator, regularly leading programs with the Nature Forward.

Sally Valdes is a retired Environmental Protection Specialist/Fishery Biologist, Division of Environmental Assessment, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Department of the Interior. Worked with BOEM’s Environmental Studies Program; wrote sections of environmental impact statements. Subject matter included fish and fisheries, birds and bats, invasive species, impacts of climate change on wildlife. M.A. in Biology, University of Michigan. Ph.D. in Aquatic Ecology, Cornell University.

Clare Walker is an environmental educator at Irvine Nature Center where she manages the woodland gardens. She previously worked as an education specialist at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources developing programs and guides about pollinators and other wildlife concerns. She is currently assisting the USGS Bee Lab in creating pollinator gardens for specialist bees. Ms. Walker did her Ph.D. work studying Peatlands, at Huddersfield University.

Cathy Wiss is a team leader in the NF Water Quality Monitoring Program at two monitoring sites on Ten Mile Creek in Montgomery County, MD. From March 2008 through August 2020, she served as the NF Water Quality Monitoring Program Coordinator. In addition, Cathy has worked to preserve streams, trees, and a wetland in her neighborhood and to encourage developers to incorporate Low Impact Development techniques into their projects. She holds a Juris Doctor degree from Catholic University Law School, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Smith College, and a certificate in Natural History Field Studies.

Kerry Wixted is a Maryland naturalist with over 15 years’ experience studying flora and fauna of Maryland. She currently works as the Amphibian, Reptile, and Invasive Species Program manager for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and has previously worked for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in multiple roles in their Wildlife and Heritage Service. Kerry holds degrees in Wildlife and Fisheries Management (B.S.) and Biology (M.S.) and has a certificate in teaching adult education.