Staff Members

With over ten years of experience in natural resources education and over five years in public school classrooms as a credentialed teacher, Jennifer has developed curriculums, trained educators, and facilitated career pathways for students in schools that serve low socio-economic student groups. She has also designed program surveys and collected data on public awareness of environmental issues and used those findings to create municipal and county-wide multimedia outreach campaigns.

Sofia combines her passion for teaching and nature to inspire a deeper connection to the outdoors. With a Master’s in Environmental Education from Southern Oregon University and six years of classroom experience, she educates people of all ages on local ecology. Her curriculum development includes live prescribed fire lessons, ecosystem restoration, water and soil testing, and sustainable systems like solar ovens, fostering hands-on learning and community engagement.

Ben brings a wealth of teaching experience and passion for the outdoors to his role with SOFRC. His journey into education began as an NSF GK-12 STEM Fellow, where he developed a passion for engaging students in STEM learning and fostering curiosity about the natural world. He has worked in both high school and middle school classrooms and as an informal educator with Sierra Nevada Journeys.

Bella manages SOFRC's operations and financials, supports core programs, and leads social science research to inform collaborative decision-making. She works closely with government agencies, nonprofits, and communities on wildfire risk mitigation and land management projects. Bella is currently collaborating on a longitudinal public perception survey on wildfire risk and forest management that will inform the implementation of these kinds of projects. She has eight years of experience with social science research and two years of experience in nonprofit work. Bella holds a Master of Science in Environmental Policy from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Dylan brings over 20 years of forest management experience to his role at SOFRC, including work as a wildland firefighter, arborist, and silvicultural technician. He holds a Bachelor’s in Environmental Science/Biology from Southern Oregon University, with a Certificate in Geospatial Science, and completed graduate work in wildland fire management at the University of Montana. At SOFRC, Dylan supports geospatial science, develops data collection tools, and maintains the All-Lands Explorer geohub.

Keith is a conservation ecologist dedicated to effective habitat restoration with extensive experience in planning, stewardship, and monitoring projects. He served as The Nature Conservancy’s Southwest Oregon Field Ecologist for 13 years, focusing on forest, prairie, and wetland systems. Now, as SOFRC’s Information and Monitoring Manager, Keith collaborates on landscape-scale planning, multiparty monitoring, and geospatial tracking. His background in agriculture and social service enriches his ecological perspective and approach.

Tabatha brings extensive experience in natural resource management and environmental compliance, having worked with multiple federal agencies in the Pacific Northwest and internationally. Her expertise includes environmental analysis, habitat restoration, and resource advising on wildland fire. She is passionate about expanding ecological maintenance efforts across Southern Oregon and beyond, supporting sustainable land management and restoration initiatives at local and global scales.

Amelia advances SOFRC’s mission by crafting clear, engaging public communications, including reports, website content, social media, and a partnership newsletter. She is passionate about learning and sharing the stories of individuals, communities, and landscapes – and how these stories intertwine. Amelia grew up in the Rogue Valley and is glad to dedicate her work to improving wildfire resilience and community connectivity throughout the region. Amelia holds a BA in Environmental Studies, a graduate certificate in Natural Resource Conflict Resolution, and a MA in Environmental Journalism, all from the University of Montana.