Class of 2024

Jessica Mann

Hi! I spent many summers of my life in the Tetons, and grew to love their wild creatures and places. After retiring from a career in environmental and occupational health, I was looking for a way to help protect this place that my husband Arnie and I now call home. What better way than to help create a group of dedicated and educated volunteers! Looking forward to meeting everyone. 

Kathi Quinn

Originally from the ridge and valley region of Central PA, my husband and I moved to Teton Valley to be closer to our kids and grandchildren, and because we love all the outdoor recreation that Wydaho has to offer.  As a retired high school biology/chemistry teacher, I have a passion for learning  about the ecology of the different locales that I have visited and have endeavored, throughout my teaching career, to pass that passion and knowledge on to my students.  I am excited to dig into the ecology and environment of Idaho and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Erica Tremblay

I grew up in the mountains of Tirol and had an early love of wildflowers and the outdoors.  I am so happy to rediscover this love as a senior with time to spend in the Tetons.  Intrigued about revitalizing my knowledge and understanding of the natural world through this program, I know I will be happy share it with others.

Carol Gregory

My husband and I moved to Teton Valley in 2017 and I have been in love with this valley ever since.  I so enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, gardening, and traveling.  

Idaho Master Naturalists appeals to me because of my love of wildlife and nature.  I hope I can help play a part in preserving this special area which is the Serengeti of the United States.  

What an honor we all have living here!

Michelle Stone

I obtained an undergraduate degree in biology with a focus on ecology, and I dabbled in field work and research before ultimately pivoting to medicine. I now have the privilege of providing health care to our community here in the Valley, and outside of the clinic you will find me exploring the mountains in our backyard.  I look forward to learning more about and helping protect the beautiful land on which we all live, work and play.  

Jeff White

It is a delight to be part of the initial cohort for the Teton Valley Chapter of Idaho Master Naturalist program.  The landscape has notably changed since my wife Annette’s family came into the Teton Valley in 1889!  Today, with changes in land use and ecosystem integrity, increasing active land stewardship is crucial for long-term durability of this part of the planet we call home.  Working with others, the IMN Program is a splendid vehicle for learning, sharing, and applying stewardship principles and practices.  I look forward to increasing my knowledge of ecosystem structure and function, ecosystem repair/rehabilitation/ restoration, and stewardship communications and sharing that knowledge and understanding with others.  

Julie Abbott

In 2019, I retired from teaching elementary school after 27 years in Idaho Falls. My husband and I built a home and relocated to Tetonia. My passions are people and the outdoors. Everyday, I am now out hiking, skiing or volunteering. I am a Nordic Ski Instructor for Grand Teton Ski & Snowboard Foundation, volunteer at Cane Water Farms and do trail maintenance for Teton Valley Trails & Pathways. I love being active and involved in our amazing community. I am excited  to be a part of the 2023-24 Teton Valley Chapter of the Idaho Master Naturalist program. I am ready to learn more about the natural resources of our great region and help preserve them for future generations. 

Arnie Kellman

In my former life, I worked on magnetic fusion development and was devoted to developing a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy source for the future. I love the outdoors, building and learning new things, so after retirement I have been looking for opportunities to give back to my community by supporting the environment that I love so much and has sustained me throughout my life. I look forward to working with local organizations to keep the Tetons a great place for animals and people.

John Norton

I'm excited to be in the inaugural group of the Teton Valley Master Naturalist. As an avid cyclist, nordic skier and hiker I hope to learn more about the natural world I love and help with projects to protect it. I grew up on a family farm in New Hampshire, worked as an engineer on projects for the US Air Force, NASA, US Forest Service and private industry. I am an active volunteer in Teton Valley with Pierre's Pedal Project as a bike mechanic and deliver meals for Seniors West of the Tetons. I've had a foot in Teton Valley with my wife Kathy since 2006 and look forward to our training and projects.

Kathy O'Neil

I am very excited to be participating in the Teton Valley Idaho Master Naturalist program.  I love the outdoors and find fulfillment hiking, nordic skiing, wildlife watching and contemplating this amazing place my husband and I call home.  

I feel strongly that with the privilege of living here in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem comes a responsibility to give back - and I can think of no better way to give back than to offer my time and energy toward conservation.

My background is in medicine, thus my knowledge and skills regarding wildland and wildlife conservation are limited.  The Master Naturalist program seems the perfect course combining education with volunteering in service to the needs of our wild places.  I eagerly look forward to a future of learning new things, developing new skills, becoming part of a cadre of like-minded folks, and giving back to our vital Greater Yellowstone.

Joni Paranka

I first visited Teton Valley in 2005 and after experiencing the natural beauty and wonderful community, my husband and I were determined to spend as much time as possible here.  We've been part-timers since then and moved up full-time in 2016.  I grew up in Fort Collins, CO in a super active family that hiked, camped, skied, biked, explored and travelled together.  All of these activities remain passions of mine still and I love that this valley provides so many opportunities to have fun.

I also notice the changes occurring around us over the years. With the popularity of such a naturally beautiful area inevitably comes growth and increasing impacts to the natural world we love so much. I'm motivated to be part of Idaho Master Naturalists because I want to learn more about the natural world around us and be better informed about how to preserve and protect this environment. For me, it's not enough to regret change or complain, or to have opinions about how things could be better.  I want to learn about research from experts and be well informed about what can actually make a difference. And I think it's important to couple that knowledge that with service work that puts the theory into practice!  This is what IMN is to me and I look forward to this journey with you all.

Eva Dahlgren

Martha Glenn