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Friends of Quarry Hill Nature Center Board of Directors:
| Bob Cline - President | Amy Davis - Vice President |
| Lynn Swensen - Secretary | Barb Ames - Treasurer |
| Nora Dooley | John Edmonds |
| George Penokie | Kim Otte |
| Dave Moehnke | Dennis Stotz |
Quarry Hill Nature Center Staff:
Roberta Tolan - Executive Director
I recently left the high plains of Colorado behind to return to my Midwestern roots and take the helm as Executive Director of Quarry Hill. After earning my MS in landscape horticulture at Colorado State University, I was Director of Education at Denver Botanic Gardens and a horticulture educator with Colorado Extension. "My first life" was spent working in advertising and marketing in Atlanta where I completed my MBA in Marketing at Georgia State University. Now I get to put these two careers together and use my skills to promote the magic of Quarry Hill.
When not at work, I enjoy almost anything outdoors especially canoeing, cycling, hiking and camping with my husband, David and dog, Yana. My love and desire to learn more about nature was inspired by the beauty and resilience of the majestic oak and stately Colorado blue spruce.
Pam Meyer - Assistant Director
I grew up in Plymouth, MN where I got an early start in science spending endless hours agate hunting in my neighbors river rock driveway and summers exploring neighborhood ponds for crayfish and turtles. Pursuing my passion for nature and science lead me to the University of Minnesota-Duluth where I received a degree in Earth and Space Sciences and Environmental and Outdoor Education with a minor in Geology. I also hold a current Minnesota teaching license for sciences grades 5-12. I consider myself very lucky to have been able to teach in a diversity of nature and science centers from LA County Outdoor School of Science in Malibu to Massachusetts Audubon's Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary on Martha's Vineyard to all the way up north at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, Minn. This fall will begin my 4th year teaching with the Nature Center and wouldn't have it any other way. I've been coast to coast and still feel Quarry Hill stands alone unparalleled in its field with a fantastic staff and awesome natural resources right in town!
Nancy Freese - Office Manager
I have just completed 20 years with Quarry Hill Nature Center and the Rochester School District. I work in the office doing scheduling, correspondence, phones, bookkeeping, etc. Prior to Quarry Hill Nature Center I worked at the Mayo Clinic for seven years and was a stay-at-home mom.
I grew up 45 miles west of Minneapolis and spent most of my youth enjoying the outdoors and exploring northern Minnesota with my family camping & fishing. When I'm not at work broadening my knowledge of nature, I enjoy working in my huge yard, mowing, planting and weeding my flower beds.
Glenna MaKosky - Teacher/ Naturalist
I grew up in Upper Michigan loving trees, bugs, mud and anything associated with the out-of-doors. When I took high school biology, I was so thrilled to learn more about the natural world. Because of this I became hooked on science and took every science class I could. This led me to Michigan Tech where I earned a biology degree and I later also earned an elementary teaching degree from Winona State. Being at Quarry Hill enables me to do what I love - sharing nature and science with people of all ages. My passion is to get students excited about nature and then, perhaps some of them, like me, will also become excited about science and math in general. Even if they do not become science "nerds", I hope they will treasure the natural world throughout their lives. I started at Quarry Hill in 1990 with a part time position which lasted for 3 years and then came back as a full time staff member in 1996. I spend most of my days preparing for and teaching district and other classes.
Joe Melmer - Facilities Manager
I grew up in rural South Dakota where I developed a love of the outdoors. This interest in the outdoors influenced my choice of college study, geology; I also have acquired a MS in management. I have been blessed with a variety of exciting previous work experiences; including solar power plants, nuclear facilities, space shuttle, construction, farms, facilities and welding. I love working at Quarry Hill, it would be my choice as the best work environment and the staff would be included with my best coworkers.
Travis Meyer - Naturalist/ Teacher
I grew up right here in Rochester, even attending classes at Quarry Hill as a youngster. After graduating from St. Cloud State University with a B.S. degree in Biology, I taught for seven years at informal outdoor and environmental education facilities across the country. During this time I also obtained a Master's Certificate in Environmental and Outdoor Education from the University of Minnesota- Duluth. Currently, I am starting my 4th year full time at Quarry Hill, where I assist with classes, programs, camps, and caring for the animals. In my spare time I enjoy working on my house, picking things from the garden, attending the many activities to do in Rochester, and shoveling snow.
Carrie Nelson - Naturalist/ Teacher
Rocks, mud, bugs, mud, crayfish, and more mud were some of my favorite things growing up here in Rochester. When not playing around our backyard and by the Zumbro River, the need for nature was taken care of with our school field trips to Quarry Hill. It was here that I first saw how to combine the things I enjoyed the most, Nature and learning. After attending college here in Rochester and in the Twin Cities, I became a member of AmeriCorps. I was first placed at Ability Building Center then placed here at Quarry Hill. Thankfully after AmeriCorps ended, I was able to join Quarry Hill's staff full-time. 12 years have gone by, and every day still brings new wonders and learning experiences. I enjoy the opportunity to work with the many school classes as well as our public programs through-out the year.
Kirk Payne - Teacher/ Naturalist
I am the son of two music educators and grew up in Utah, Nebraska, Iowa and Wisconsin. I have a B.S. degree in biology and an M.A. degree in Science Education, both from the University of Iowa. After working for several non-traditional schools and conservation organizations, I joined the staff of the Rochester Public Schools as a teacher/ naturalist at Quarry Hill in 1989. In 1998, I transferred to John Marshall High School to teach science classes, returning to Quarry Hill in 2006. I enjoy all of nature, but am especially interested in the prairie ecosystem and birds. In my spare time, I enjoy practicing the art and sport of falconry, keeping a few chickens and playing tennis. I am married to Jo and together we have four daughters who range in age from 17 to 25.
Sue Shockey - Program Coordinator
I grew up in East St Louis, Illinois and my grandmothers taught me how to find nature even in the big city. Picking cherries in the summer, catching snails in the garden, keeping a worm farm, and searching for ripe persimmons in the fall were some of my early nature experiences. I graduated from UW-Stevens Point and then received my teaching degree from Winona State. I've lived in Rochester since 1981 and taught mathematics for several years in the Adult Literacy Program. I enjoy volunteering and began my Quarry Hill time as a volunteer joining the staff in 1998. My two kids are both in college leaving more time for my husband & I to enjoy biking, sailing, and traveling.