A delegation of local community members, area high school students and Wild Center staff are preparing for their trip to Finland from February 24^th until March 6^th, 2011 as part of the project “Connecting Finnish and Adirondack Communities: Science Museums Facilitating Awareness and Action on Climate and Energy” through the Museums & Community Collaborations Abroad (MCCA) program of the American Association of Museums (AAM).

The Adirondack Team

Gail Brill is an organizer of grassroots efforts. Gail is an artist by trade, but founded the Adirondack Green Circle three years ago to address issues of local sustainability.  Support for small local farms, area recycling, consciousness raising through films, community gardening, Permaculture, and other environmental efforts are a the center of the Green Circle's mission.

As Director of Programs for The Wild Center, Jen Kretser oversees all education program development and interpretive programs including coordinating the 2009 & 2010 Adirondack Youth Climate Summit. Prior to her work with The Wild Center, Jen served as Director of Education for the Adirondack Mountain Club for 7 years focused on educating for responsible recreation, stewardship, and interpretive planning. For her work in the Adirondacks, Jen was the 2006 recipient of the ADK Education Award and the 2007 EPA Region 2 Environmental Educator Award. Her past experiences include teaching and developing programs at the Cincinnati Zoo, the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, the Adirondack Park Visitor’s Interpretive Center, and Zoo New England in Boston. Through her strong interest in international conservation, Jen has participated in two professional exchanges to Siberia to work with park officials on creating education programs for their National Park system. In addition to her work in Siberia, Jen has traveled extensively in Central America, Australia, New Zealand, Nepal and India – exploring parks and meeting people. A native of Saranac Lake N.Y. and 4th generation Adirondacker, Jen graduated from Cornell University BS and an MS in Environmental Science and Education from Antioch University New England. When she is not working, she enjoys kayaking, hiking, x-c skiing, bird watching, ceramics, and printmaking.

Tammy Morgan is a high school science teacher and student environment group mentor. Ms Morgan has been a key participant in planning the Adirondack Youth Climate Summit. She was a member of the Spaceward Bound Expedition team at the McGill University Arctic Research Station on Axel Heiberg Island in the Canadian Arctic and participated in NASA’s Astrobiology Summer Science Experience for Teachers. In addition to teaching advanced placement environmental science, biology and chemistry courses, she is working with Clarkson University on a NASA sponsored Climate Change Curriculum Development project.

Stephanie Ratcliffe, Executive Director of The Wild Center joined the museum as part of the start up team four years prior to its opening and played a leading role in the creation of the Museum’s current exhibits and educational programs, including all the interior live exhibits and the multimedia presentations. Stephanie was recruited to join the Museum team from her position at the Maryland Science Center, where she was the Senior Director for Exhibits and Project Director for the Women’s Health Project, a consortium project in collaboration with nine science centers. Stephanie earned a bachelor’s of arts in Art Marketing/Museum Management and a master's in Museum Education from George Washington University. Prior to joining the Wild Center team, she worked for the Brooklyn Children's Museum and the Smithsonian Institution in addition to her positions with the Maryland Science Center. Ms Ratcliffe was one of 17 international science museum directors to participate in a year-long Noyce Leadership Program that seeks to enable chief executives of science centers to deepen their institutions’ involvement with their communities.

Meadow Hackett is a senior at Saranac Lake High School. She has been involved with the Adirondack Youth Climate Summit for two years, first as a team member, and served on the AYCS Steering Committee this year as a spokesperson. She has lived in Ray Brook all her life. Meadow’s interest with Climate Science has been sparked primarily through her lifetime involvement with nature; she enjoys activities such as hiking and fly-fishing. Meadow is a member of her school’s Environmental Club, and the President of both Student Council and the Future Business Leaders of America Club. She also serves as Vice-President of Key Club, a student organization based around service and mentoring for younger students. Meadow is a two sport athlete; she is Assistant Captain of the Ice Hockey team and also plays Lacrosse. In addition, she holds the First Chair for alto saxophone in the Jazz Band and is a member of the Women’s Vocal Ensemble. Meadow has had leading roles in several theatre productions throughout her high school career and has also volunteered her time as a stage manager and choreographer to help local children put on musical theatre productions. Outside of school, Meadow is very involved within her parish and serves as a religion teacher and altar server. She will graduate in the top ten percent of her class and plans to attend college next year.

Bryan Larson is a senior at Tupper Lake High School. Bryan was on the steering committee for the 2010 Adirondack Youth Climate Summit. He is also the co-founder of Tupper Lake High School’s environmental club the “Green Team”. He will be attending the State University of New York's school of Environmental Science and Forestry in the fall of 2011 to study Wildlife Science. Bryan loves to hunt, fish, hike and wander around in the woods.

Daniel Coffrin is a senior at Lake Placid High School. Daniel Coffrin is a prospective student in many international relations programs within the United States, and Canada. He is currently involved in the cross country team, the Nordic program, and the track team. He can also be found participating in the LPCS Environmental Club, (as acting vice president), mentoring youth for the National Honor Society, and writing opinion pieces for the school newspaper. Daniel's academic interests include East Asian studies, international politics, trade, and economics. Dan helped plan the Adirondack Youth Climate Summit in 2009 and 2010.

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