The vision of these experts forms the bedrock of the Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools. Their selfless passion to support nature-based teachers is the driving force behind the creation of ERAFANS.

Amy Beam
Naturalist and ECEE Thought Leader of Franklin Montessori Schools, Washington, D.C.

Stephanie Bozzo
Founding Director of The Audubon Nature Preschool at the Audubon Naturalist Society, Chevy Chase, MD

Jessica Clayton
Director of Riverside Rhymes Nature Play School, Brick, New Jersey

Monica French
Program Director/Lead Teacher for Wild Haven/Baltimore City Recreation and Parks, Baltimore, Maryland

Marianne Kay
Director of the New Canaan Nature Center Preschool, New Canaan, Connecticut

Karen Madigan
Preschool Director of The Nature Preschool at Irvine Nature Center, Owings Mills, Maryland

Nickie Weller
Director of Children’s Treehouse at the National Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown, West Virginia

Monica Wiedel-Lubinski
Executive Director of the Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools, Baltimore, Maryland

Shannon Wise
Director of Early Childhood Education, Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This organization exists because of the commitment, passion, dedication, and energy of our founding members in 2016. We honor their vision as we grow our Board of Directors, a group of insightful, down-to-earth advocates for nature-based education.