Heather Durkel (Pittsford, VT) — BS (2008) in Environmental Studies from the Rubenstein School of the University of Vermont. Heather grew up in northwestern Montana, but has lived in the beautiful mountains of Vermont for over a decade. She has worked for the Forest Service in Alaska, and as a ski instructor, youth conservation crew leader and camp counselor in Vermont. Heather loves telemark skiing, backpacking, running, playing in her garden, knitting and teaching and learning with youth. Heather is thrilled to be learning, teaching and exploring in Maine!

Sarah “Link” Klinkenberg (Marlborough, MA) — BA (2008) in History from Oberlin College in Ohio. Link spent much of her childhood crouched down in the mud or perched up in a tree. She loves tromping around in the woods (especially with kids!), learning about plants and swimming. She also likes to laugh, sing, draw, ride her bike and practice the ukulele. Link fell for Maine while gardening near Lewiston last summer and is excited to explore another part of the state with FBES this spring.

Robin Lea (Portland, ME) — BA (2003) in Documentary Studies and Cultural Anthropology from Evergreen State College in Washington. Robin also has her certificate in documentary writing from the Salt Institute in Portland. Three things Robin likes talking about are gravity, planets and stars. Sometimes she even records songs about them! Not convinced she’s going to make it as a science super star, Robin is pursuing a future in elementary education. Robin also loves libraries, typewriters, dinosaurs, planetariums, drive-in movies, bicycles and squashed pennies.

Ernesto Miranda (Cochabamba, Bolivia) — BS (2008) in Environmental Engineering from the Universidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo, Bolivia. Ernesto joins FBES from the other side of the hemisphere where he has worked with many environmental organizations working with indigenous kids, farmers and city people. He comes to FBES by way of EarthCorps where he worked as a crew member in Seattle doing environmental restoration. He spent part of his winter working with the Lopez Community Land Trust building sustainable homes. In his free time he likes to cook Bolivian food for friends, watch the night ski and nature documentaries. He also enjoys hiking and finding fossils and interesting rocks. He is excited to be joining the FBES team!

Augustus Narag (Tuguegarao, Philippines) — BA (2005) in Public Administration and Political Science from the University of Saint Louis Tuguegarao in the Philippines. Tus, as he is fondly called by his family and friends, began his professional career as an instructor at the University of Saint Louis (Philippines). In the Philippines, Tus is a complete homebody with no interest of the outdoors. But, coming to America- to be part of a training program in Seattle, he found much interest in hiking, backpacking, and just strolling in an open green space. Knowing he is leaving the Philippines for awhile, Tus made a complete make-over of their backyard garden for two months in order for his mother to remember him always. :-)

Nicole Rhodes (Stroudsburg, PA) — BA (2007) in Biology and Dance from Bard College in New York. Nicole loves to travel, and has lived in California’s Mojave Desert, on the coast of Nova Scotia and in Northern Maine. An avid dancer and backpacker, she is inspired by wild places and especially loves being near water. She also enjoys mimicking her cat and making delicious food.

Malcolm Richards (Minneapolis, MN)— BA (2005) in English and Environmental Studies from St. Olaf College. After two years away, Malcolm will be returning to Ferry Beach for Spring 2009 ready for April snowstorms, tumultuous Nor’easters, and whatever else Mother Nature dishes out. In addition to an unhealthy obsession with running, he also enjoys teaching kids, drinking coffee and playing kickball. Not usually at the same time, however.

Jennifer Rost (North Duxbury, VT) — MS (2008) in Environmental Studies from Antioch University New England and BA (1992) in Studio Arts from the University of New Hampshire. Jen is excited to watch the world wake up from it's winter slumber on the coast of Maine for her first season at FBES. Philadelphia, Colorado, Mexico and the small Connecticut town where she grew up are some of the locales where Jen has lived or traveled. Jen is a life long learner, taking delight in discovering the difference between salamander eggs and frog eggs or a tufted titmouse from a nuthatch. She loves to play outside: running, hiking, body surfing the oceans waves or skiing in fresh VT snow. And, she's an avid crafter, finding it a great challenge to leave a yarn or bead shop without spending far beyond her budget.

Emily Rupp (Goshen, IN) — BA (2003) in Biology from Goshen College. Since leaving northern Indiana, Emily has ventured far and wide. After two years on Jekyll Island in south Georgia teaching environmental education, she made her way to Bolivia with Peace Corps, working in a small town with environmental issues, like recycling and trash problems. In her free time, Emily enjoys playing soccer, baking cinnamon rolls, hanging out with good people, and being outside. She is looking forward to returning to the coast after living in a landlocked country (Bolivia), unfortunately, Emily leaves her little Bolivian dog in Indiana with her parents.

Wesley Steele (Greencastle, IN) — MS (2005) in Education from Brooklyn College in New York and BA (1999) in Russian from Oberlin College in Ohio. Sipping horse milk in Kyrgyzstan renewed Wes’s appreciation of the outdoors. A student and educator at heart, he was last seen teaching at the college level. His most memorable vacation to date was by bicycle when he traveled from Oregon to Indiana. In his free time, he sometimes enjoys baking/cooking and tries not to let his sweet tooth get the best of him. An Indiana native, Wes is now calling New England his home for the second time.

Jessie Wetherby (Rutland, VT) — BA (2005) in French from St. Anselm College in Manchester, NH. Jessie also studied at the Institute for American Universities in Aix-en Provence, France. While studying and teaching in France, Jessie had the chance to learn a new language, meet amazing people, eat and cook with fresh food and learn about a new environment. She spent this most recent winter traveling in South and Central America. She loves to cook with friends, travel, and be outside whenever possible. Jessie worked at and outdoor science school in California and is excited to be returning to the amazing Maine coast her third season at FBES.

Krysta Zambroski (Program Naturalist) (Amherst, NH) — BS (2007) in Environmental Studies at the University of Vermont. Krysta enjoys hiking, skiing, and bird watching. When she’s not outside, Krysta enjoys baking, listening to blue grass, and doing arts and crafts. Sometimes, when she takes walks in the woods, she likes to pretend she’s on safari. Krysta first came to FBES as a student in 8th grade and is now looking forward to returning for her third term teaching at FBES this spring.

Linda Newell (Nurse) (Old Orchard Beach, ME) — Linda is a nurse, mother of 4 sons, grandmother of 4 granddaughters and 3 grandsons and has practiced in nursing almost continuously since 1961. Linda lives with her cat, Muffin, and is excited about returning to the FBES team for her fourth term.

Rich O'Brien, Proprietor, Pangea Food Service. Rich is from Hull, Massachusetts and is a master in the kitchen. He's has a long history with Ferry Beach and he and his staff have been providing delicious and nutritious meals in our dining hall since 1999! When he's not cooking, Rich enjoys his hobbies — traveling and scuba diving. This picture of Rich was taken in Dublin, Ireland during a menu research and development trip.