Staff Biographies

Lori Whalen, Director of Education

Lori has worked in the environmental education field for over a decade. She joined the ENC staff in 2003. Lori oversees the administrative functions of our educational programs and supervises an amazing flock of Naturalists and Volunteers. Her favorite time of year is during Summer Nature Camp, when she gets to don her “Camp Director” hat and sing camp songs with all of the campers! Lori has a BS in Animal Science from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and an MA in Communications from California State University, Fullerton. In her free time she likes to restore habitat!

Leslie Helliwell, Program Support Specialist

Leslie handles the permits, takes care of the displays, organizes the library, and is our resident butterfly wrangler. She has a Bachelors degree in Liberal Studies/Forestry from Northern Arizona University, and has been in the eco-education business since 2003. She delights in telling stories about the night sky, knows a lot of trivia, and has an extraordinarily acute sense of smell. In her free time she is an artist.

Sarah Fitzgerald, Store Manager and Naturalist

Sarah Fitzgerald has three distinct passions: Children, Nature and the Environment. Educated in a wide variety of areas including child, interpersonal and abnormal psychology, Sarah exemplifies her dynamic and thoughtful teaching style every single day. With over a dozen years of varied experience as naturalist, summer camp director, camp counselor and support specialist, she brings an energetic learning experience to those she teaches and to everyone around her.

Meghan Lockwood, Lead Naturalist

A child of the Pacific Northwest, Meghan grew up with moss in her hair and saltwater between her toes. While in this misty haven, she received a BS in Biology from Lewis and Clark College. In 2006, she moved to Southern California to dry out and fell in love with teaching Environmental Education. She now spends her days practicing Mad Scientist advancement and talking like a robot.

Jeanine Fletcher, Naturalist

Jeanine started at the ENC back in September 2008. Prior to that she spent years volunteering in the "Open Spaces" of Laguna Beach. Jeanine’s love for Nature eventually brought her to the ENC where she feels very fortunate to be able to impart an appreciation and sense of stewardship in her students' young minds. Jeanine’s other passion is practicing Yoga and she shares that passion by teaching Yoga to children and adults at the ENC. She hopes to help strengthen the beneficial connections between people, yoga and nature.

Alex Lane, Naturalist

Alex Recipe
2 quarts laughter (joy can also be substituted)
1 beard (length depends on which animals are currently living in it)
3 large handfuls of love of nature
3 large handfuls of love of teaching
2 dashes humor
1 hard working (well-blended)
6 tablespoons patience.

Blend together lovingly and leave outdoors. Your Alex will flourish in no time!

Karen Letz, Saturday Naturalist

Karen works at the ENC on Saturdays. You might see her leading children in a scout program or a birthday party. When not at the center she is either working with young children or traveling.

Sama Wareh, Traveling Naturalist

When Sama is not out and about teaching workshops and programs at schools and the ENC, she spends her time creating new programs, hiking, drinking coffee, teaching art lessons, working on new art pieces, illustrating children's books, creating documentaries, or is off on some crazy new adventure. Sama has a Masters of Science Degree in Environmental Education from Cal-State Fullerton and has been in the environmental education field for 6 years.

Kathy Wiedel, Naturalist

Kathy has been a Naturalist at the ENC for over a decade! She discovered that she wanted to be a Naturalist while chaperoning her daughter’s 5th grade field trip. Another mom leaned over and said, "They get paid for this!" Kathy has been hooked ever since. Kathy says: “I never suspected that I would love this job so much and enjoy creating wonder for nature in children.”

Mike Swingholm, Grounds Coordinator

Mike started working for the ENC November 2006. He graduated from California Polytechnic University, Pomona in 2005, with a BS in Ornamental Horticulture and an emphasis in landscape management. He coordinates grounds-related community service and maintains the entire nature center grounds. In his free time Mike enjoys eating, exercising, and spending time with his family.

Celeste Dennerline, Facility Rental Coordinator

Although four years in the classroom and a BA in English from USC did not prepare Celeste for advanced techniques in sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, chair stacking and toilet paper replenishment, she did absorb a good deal of event planning strategy during that time. In her position as Facility Rental Coordinator, she is eager to help you plan the perfect “green” party, wedding or meeting at the ENC! Celeste has worked and volunteered at the ENC for the past 20 years. Prior to her current position, she was an ENC Naturalist, Volunteer Coordinator and Program Director. In her free time, she loves to cook, clean, iron, entertain and be the perfect housewife to her husband, Bob.