About Our NHFS Instructors

Randall Bass has more than 35 years of experience in operational weather forecasting, weather research and weather forensics in the military, government and private sectors. He has broad knowledge and experience in aviation, expert and fact witness testimony, severe weather, space weather, and atmospheric processes. Randy owns and operates Bass Weather Services, a consulting company he started in 2015, specializing in expert witness testimony, business consulting, forecasting support, and educational services. A key strength is his ability to translate highly scientific information into easy-to-understand terms.

Mr. Bass earned his BS in Meteorology from NC State University and his MS in Meteorology from Texas A&M University. He obtained the Certified Consulting Meteorologist designation through the American Meteorological Society in 2014.

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.

Stephanie Mason is the former Senior Naturalist for Nature Forward, now retired. 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.

Sneh is pursuing a Master’s in Environmental and Sustainability Management at Georgetown University. Sneh grew up in the west of India and completed his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras working on conservation efforts at Tholkappia Poonga. With experience in optimizing environmental management and regulatory compliance from working at Illinois EPA, Sneh is focused on integrating sustainability into business and engineering practices. Their current academic work is aimed at developing models and databases to better explain the effects of climate change on migratory bird species.

Alison has been involved in conservation research, education and practice for over twenty years, beginning with an experience as an Agroforestry volunteer with the Peace Corps in El Salvador. She completed a Ph.D. in Ecological Anthropology at Stanford University, where her research included studies of ranchland conversion in Montana, as well as indigenous forest management in Panama. She is currently Nature Forward’s Deputy Director for Programs, overseeing the organization’s many educational efforts for people of all ages, as well as the restoration and management of Woodend Nature Sanctuary.

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.

Kit Sheffield is a Virginia Master Naturalist (Fairfax Chapter) and has led field trips for Nature Forward, The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Virginia Master Naturalists and The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club about ferns, trees, and wildflowers of the DC area.

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 has a PhD in aquatic ecology with a minor in natural resources policy from Cornell University. For most of her career she worked as a biologist for the Federal government at various agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Her responsibilities included endangered species conservation, habitat restoration and environmental assessments. Since retiring she has taught part-time, including courses in Environmental Health, Wildlife Ecology, Human Ecology and the Impact of Predators on Marine Ecosystems.

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. Kerry works for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies as the Amphibian, Reptile, and Invasive Species Program Manager while also serving as the State Agencies coordinator for the Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC). She has previously worked for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and has taught classes for Nature Forward’s Natural History Field Studies Program. Kerry holds a B.S. degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Management from Frostburg State University, and a M.S. degree in Biology from West Virginia University.