Staff

Originally from Denver, Colorado, Debora graduated with a degree in Environmental studies from the University of Oregon. Prior to TNC, she worked for the New Jersey Audubon Society and Queens College Center for Environmental Teaching and Research. Since 2003 Debora has been a dedicated team member and leader of the Tenafly Nature Center and originally took over the reins as TNC’s Education Director.

In addition to her work at the TNC, Debora serves on the Citizens Advisory Council of the Palisades Interstate Park and has been a board member for the Alliance for New Jersey Environmental Education and founder and member of the Nature Program Cooperative. From her contribution to these organizations, Debora has been a recognizable leader in environmental conservation and education in New Jersey for over two decades.

Debora is committed to the continuing success of the TNC and its mission. Debora stated recently: “I feel that the most important thing I can do to make a positive impact on the natural world is to help others make meaningful connections and help them to nurture a respect for what TNC’s founders entrusted to future generations back in 1961. My goal is to work hard to ensure that the local community takes pride in what their fellow community members were able to secure for current and future generations and for which the past and current boards have worked so hard to preserve.”

If you have ideas as to how you would like to see the nature center move forward please don’t hesitate to reach out to Debora.

Helene joined the Tenafly Nature Center staff in 2022. A former elementary school teacher, she is dedicated to working for organizations that support education, environmental stewardship and the arts, and has provided grant writing and marketing services for nonprofits including the Palisades Parks Conservancy, Piermont Historical Society and ArtsRock, Inc. She is delighted to join the team and looks forward to helping grow TNC's funding opportunities.

Originally from Philadelphia, Helene has lived with her husband and daughter in Rockland County, NY for 18 years, where she has explored the parks and trails of the region, logging many miles walking, running and hiking. She also is a passionate gardener and photographer who is especially fond of cats and owls.

Living in New Jersey since 1994, Dara has been part of the Tenafly Nature Center administrative team since 2019. Working for TNC rounds out a career primarily in the performing arts; as the Director of The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College and Managing Director of ArtsRock in Nyack, NY. Dara spends what little free time that is left working with stained glass.

Originally from New Jersey, Alex has been a Naturalist at Tenafly Nature Center since 2016, and feels quite lucky to be able to share his love of the natural world with others.

He has a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Sustainability from Drew University.

When away from the center Alex spends most of his time hiking with his dog through the forests of NY & NJ.

Originally from New Jersey, Jennifer joined TNC in 2016 as a graduate from the University of Delaware with a degree in Wildlife Conservation. She has a passion for travelling after studying abroad to both Tanzania and Costa Rica and hopes to bring her travelling experiences into her teachings at TNC.

Prior to TNC she interned at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Florida as an Environmental Educator.

Jen loves nature photography and has snapped most of TNC's instagram feed.

Originally from Minnesota, Anna joined the Tenafly Nature Center team in 2018. Prior to that she graduated from the University of Minnesota and helped develop, administer, and lead the Red Wing Park Naturalist program, which is continuing to grow and enrich the surrounding community.

Anna is a Certified Interpretive Guide™ and at TNC, she is excited to share her passion and enthusiasm of nature with others. She is dedicated to providing high quality, enriching, hands-on educational programs to promote a better understanding and appreciation of the natural world.

Amanda Schuster spent much of her childhood exploring the outdoors of rural Pennsylvania, leading her to obtain a B.S. in Biology from James Madison University. She has been involved in the environmental education field for over 15 years, and started her career at the Tenafly Nature Center in 2004. Before returning to the nature center in 2020, she worked as an Animal Interpretation Associate at the Liberty Science Center and as an Environmental Educator in the Forest Preschool program at the Friends of Rye Nature Center. She has conducted fieldwork with Barking Tree Frogs and American Woodcock, as well as volunteered at the Raptor Trust.

Amanda is excited to bring a Forest Preschool program to the Tenafly Nature Center, allowing children to engage in meaningful experiences with their peers and the environment.

Cabell is a recent addition to the TNC team who hails from Virginia. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Cabell received his Bachelors in Biology with a minor in Environmental Science. He has worked as an educator for 6 years and is excited to share his love of science and passion for the environment with learners of all ages.

When he's not walking the trails or teaching classes, Cabell enjoys reading science fiction, knitting, and playing tabletop games with friends.

Sasha joined Tenafly Nature Center in 2021. She has been an Environmental Educator for over 10 years, working in the Hudson Valley. She has particular experience in working with native animals and a degree in Veterinary Technology from Mercy College. She is an avid beekeeper and native plant gardener and loves teaching kids how amazing our natural world is. She spends her free time with her family and cats, surrounded by way too many orchids!

Alicia Spencer graduated from McGill University in May 2022 with a Bachelor's degree in Environment and International Development and is looking to pursue a career in conservation. She recently joined TNC in 2023 as an environmental educator. In her free time, Alicia loves to travel and explore new places, especially with friends and family.

Arsen is working on his bachelor's degree in Environmental Science at Muhlenberg College and brings a strong passion for the entire natural world to his work. He's very glad to be working at the Nature Center he has frequented for over a decade, and is excited to give back to the community that was a large part of his childhood, Tenafly. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in Environmental Conservation or Ecosystem Management/Preservation. His favorite animal is the grizzly bear, and envies their ability to hibernate through the winter.

During his spare time, Arsen enjoys spending time with his dog, hiking new trails, birding, reading fantasy novels, and working on his writing.

While creating, directing, and teaching nature programs at a scout summer camp for seven years, Nick’s love for nature and teaching led to the pursuit of a degree in Education and Biology at SUNY Plattsburgh. Nick joined the Tenafly Nature Center team in 2019 and brings a background in, scout programs, and environmental education.

Taylor graduated with a bachelors degree in Biology and Environmental science and has a masters degree in Sustainability Studies. She has been working in senior living bringing her love of nature and the environment to some of the activity programming. She is excited to be joining the nature center to help more people get out and enjoy nature. In her free time, she likes going on hikes and photography.

Daniel Dowling graduated with bachelor’s degrees in Environmental Studies and Anthropology, from Ithaca College in December of 2021. Dan recently joined the TNC team in the fall of 2022. Dan has worked as an environmental educator at Lorrimer Nature Sanctuary and as a seasonal educator for Exceptional Camps for Children with Autism. Dan’s favorite part about environmental education is teaching people to love, respect and appreciate the outdoors, especially if they have never had the opportunity to experience nature before. Dan tries to stress engaging local communities in conservation practices while he teaches. While he’s not teaching, Dan loves traveling to new countries, meeting new friends, hiking, fishing and birding.

Della looks forward to sharing the workings and wonders of nature with you! A lifelong learner, she loves to explore nature, discover its jewels, and nurture within herself and others a sense of playful curiosity, connection, awe, and engagement as part of it. She has worked as an organic children’s garden coordinator, family garden nature educator, and environmental educator, introducing principles of ecology, organic gardening, composting, sustainability, and stewardship to explorers of all ages. An integrative educator, Della has a background in biology, international education, and contemplative studies. She is deeply interested in the relationship humans forge with nature, as reflected in their environmental practices, as well as their spiritual and multicultural practices. Her passion is engaging people in participatory activities that cultivate self-awareness, learning, growth, and a sense of belonging within a community. As an educator, it is her ongoing wish to foster understanding of how we as humans have opportunities and responsibility to promote harmony, balance, and wellbeing within ourselves and the world as stewards of the planet and guardians of its inhabitants. 

Daniel joined the center's summer education team in 2022. He recently graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelors in History and is also involved with the Tenafly Fire Department and New Jersey National Guard. In his spare time, Daniel enjoys playing with his cats, hiking, reading, and painting. As a lifelong resident of Tenafly Daniel is excited to have joined the TNC team! 

Jillian has a Bachelor's in Environmental Studies and Management from Fordham University and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Environmental Conservation Education at New York University. Jill joined the nature center staff in 2017 and has worked in both informal and formal classroom settings. She has volunteered at several environmental centers in New York and New Jersey and her passion for educating people of all ablilities and ages shines through her work at the center.

In her free time, she can be found exploring new hiking trails, exercising, or gardening.

Veronica joined the center's summer education team in 2022. She has a bachelor's degree in biology from Chatham University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from William Paterson University. During the school year, Veronica is a high school Environmental Science, Biology, and Anatomy & Physiology teacher and she also has a decade of experience in informal science education. Veronica loves arts and crafts, and spending time near bodies of water.

Mia joined Tenafly Nature Center in 2021 and has been teaching kids for a year. She has her bachelors in Elementary Education/English with a Special Ed certification. In her free time she loves to hike at national parks, coaching softball and doing arts and crafts.

Originally from NJ, Teresa is now a part time-educator at TNC. She studied biology at Sacred Heart University for her Bachelor's and recently got her Master's degree from Pace University in Environmental Science in 2021. She has experience working in environmental education as well as research assistant roles for about 3 years. Teresa is excited to bring her experience and love for the environment and nature to TNC. She has previous volunteer/work experience in summer camps at the Bergen County Zoo and working as an Urban Evolution Technician at Monmouth University.

Abby has joined the center's education team in 2022, after over 30 years as an elementary school teacher with a specialization in science. Earlier in her career, she worked as a naturalist at several nature centers and children's summer ecology programs.

Abby grew up in Brooklyn, and has always been drawn to kids and spending time outdoors. She received a B.S. in biology at SUNY-Binghamton and an M.S. in environmental education at SUNY-Environmental Science & Forestry in Syracuse.

All year long, on almost every day of the week, Abby makes time for swimming. When she's not at TNC, she's often out exploring NY and NJ hiking trails.

Caroline Tuero is an Environmental Scientist with more than 5 years experience consulting for private and governmental clients. She graduated from Rutgers University with a B.S. in Environmental Science in 2013. Caroline has been educating the public about the wonders of our environment with Tenafly Nature Center since 2011 as an Environmental Educator.