Upcoming Events:
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NOS Staff
Executive Director |
Andy grew up in rural New Jersey (no, that is not a joke) where his favorite childhood toys consisted of rocks, sticks, dirt, trees and Legos. The Boy Scouts continued to offer an alternative classroom focused on the outdoors from an early age. After High School, Andy moved to Missouri to attend the University of Missouri-Rolla, now known as the Missouri University of Science and Technology. After stints in Australia, Florida and Michigan he emerged from Missouri with a degree in Mining Engineering. A very popular, shiny yellow metal first brought Andy to Winnemucca in 2003 where he quickly fell in love with the climate, natural beauty and wide open spaces on offer. He moved to New Zealand in 2006 in order to gain a broader perspective on the world and his place in it, but eventually, a longing for the high desert and the opportunity to get involved with and offer something unique to the community brought him back. Andy is very excited to help continue the level of excellence Nevada Outdoor School has achieved over the past nine years. |
Financial Manager |
Melanie was born in Los Alamos, New Mexico and moved with her family to Idaho where she spent most of her childhood growing up on the family farm; she is the youngest of five children. She moved to Winnemucca in 1983 and spent all four high school years at Lowry High School. She moved to Boise, Idaho after graduation where she attended ITT Technical Institute and graduated with an Automation Secretarial Diploma. She worked for a while in the Boise area and moved back to Winnemucca to marry and raise a family. She has been married for 17 years to a man who is a Winnemucca native; they have two children together - both boys. She enjoys spending time in the great outdoors with her family, whether is in rural Nevada or beyond. Her favorite vacations are spent camping and white water rafting. She has spent time rafting the Salmon, Snake, Green and Rouge rivers here in the Northwest. She also enjoys reading and cooking. She is excited to be part of NOS and continuing to work and live in this great rural Nevada community |
Community Outreach Director |
Laura grew up in a small town in Northwest Iowa. Her love of working with children and volunteering steered her to a major in Non-Profit Youth Administration and Youth Services. Laura graduated in 2007 from the University of Northern Iowa. Upon graduation Laura worked for a Main Street program in Cedar Falls, IA, then moved to Missouri to take a job with the YMCA of Bolivar as the Program and Engagement Director. After a sixth month stint in Missouri her husband’s job with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) moved them to Fairbanks, AK. Laura and her husband spent almost two years in Alaska, when another move with the BLM brought them to Winnemucca. Laura is excited to join the NOS team and help NOS continue being such a positive influence in Northern Nevada. |
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Trina was born and raised in Nevada as a fifth generation farmer and rancher. She lived in Carson City most of her life until she came to Winnemucca in 2008. Trina went back to college to earn her degree in journalism after working at the Nevada Appeal. She had her son, Paul, in 2004. Since graduating she moved to Winnemucca and integrated herself into the agriculture industry in northern Nevada with her work as the editor of the Nevada Rancher magazine. Trina immediately became a member of the Winnemucca Rotary Club, as volunteering and giving back to her community is something that is very important to her. As a young mother Trina spends most of her time doing things with her son and dogs, as she loves animals. Currently Trina has two dogs, one cat and a horse. Trina is excited to join the Nevada Outdoor School and help the members of AmeriCorps give back to the community. |
Education Coordinator |
Megan grew up traveling across the United States, but she has claimed Wyoming as her home state. Growing up in a town of 400 people, Megan’s interests were devoted to athletics and outdoor adventure. Upon graduating high school, with her six fellow classmates, she pursued her AS degree in Physical Education from Northwest College. A transfer to Black Hills State University and a change in major led Megan down a road of adventure. Some of these adventures include teaching cold water survival skills in rural Alaska, instructing cross country skiing in South Dakota, directing a high ropes course in the high Sierra Nevada, and leading cave tours at Wind Cave National Park. In 2008, with her BS degree in Outdoor Education and minor in coaching, Megan left the pine forests of the Sierras and entered into another adventure in the Great Basin Desert with Nevada Outdoor School. The last two years have been filled with ridge walking, star gazing, and glorious hot springs. Now as Education Coordinator, Megan is excited to continue sharing her outdoor enthusiasm with families in Winnemucca. |
Naturalist |
Annie grew up in New England and went to school at University of New Hampshire where she studied geology. Annie studied abroad in New Zealand her junior year and afterwards had two summer internships at volcanoes; Mount St. Helens in Washington, and Capulin Volcano in New Mexico. She loves traveling and exploring new places and geological features. |
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Merre was born and raised in New York; She's city girl to the core! Merre earned a B.A. in Health & Human Services with a concentration in Community Mental Health from University at Buffalo. She didn’t grow up appreciating the outdoors, but discovered after moving to Colorado to complete her A.A.S. in Veterinary Technology, that it’s never too late to learn! In Denver, Merre was introduced to white water kayaking, hiking, and camping. She now enjoys exploring the outdoors. Always the adventurer, Merre is thrilled to have the opportunity to share her love of learning and knowledge with others, while pursuing new, exciting activities. |
Conservation Education and Outreach Coordinator |
Brenna was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest with the beautiful tourist town of Seaside, Oregon to call her home. She earned her B.A. in Elementary Education with a Reading Endorsement and also minored in anthropology at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA. Brenna has always been an advocate and had a love for physical activity whether it is indoors or outdoors. She grew up playing sports, hiking, camping, white water rafting, and enjoying the natural resources in and around Oregon. Brenna has a passion for education and is excited to show this, as well as her love for the outdoors. |
