Meet Our Staff!
The Rye community has always embraced the staff of Friends of Rye Nature Center, so we are happy to introduce you to the newest members of the FRNC family.
Ben Beresford, Environmental Educator
What he loves about FRNC: Ben loves nature, especially its flora. He is so glad to work at the Rye Nature Center, a haven for wildlife in the middle of a busy suburban area.
Favorite outdoor summer activity: Swimming!
What he’s looking forward to: Taking campers on hikes is always fun, since they are so eager to learn and the Rye Nature Center offers so much to see! Ben particularly looks forward to getting his hands dirty hunting for earthworms with his campers.
Joslyn Chen, Environmental Educator
What she loves about FRNC: Everyone who works here is their own kind of expert. Joslyn has learned so much from her coworkers about different teaching styles, environmental factoids, and just general life skills. Everyone brings something so different, yet so valuable, to the table.
Favorite outdoor summer activity: There is nothing better to Joslyn than lying out in the sun with a good book.
What she’s looking forward to: Joslyn looks forward to her first full year of teaching in the Forest Preschool program. She had a late start joining the class last year in October, but she quickly found her place so she is excited to complete a whole year of the program!
Steven Koester, Land Steward
What he loves about FRNC: Steven finds his job with Friends of Rye Nature Center deeply fulfilling. FRNC contributes so much to the environment, and Steven is happy to play an important role in the process.
Favorite outdoor summer activity: Fishing and hiking.
What he’s looking forward to:Steven appreciates that working in conservation lets him see the tangible progress the team has made. He’s especially proud of the work FRNC has done pulling invasive plants, and he looks forward to doing more!
Jax Mack, Conservation Director
What he loves about FRNC: Jax likes that the Rye Nature Center is not only a place of preservation, but also active engagement and education.
Favorite outdoor summer activity: Jax loves rock climbing.
What he’s looking forward to: Jax hopes to get the Rye community involved in taking care of nature, both at the Nature Center and in their own backyards.
Zach Sandler, Environmental Educator
What he loves about nature: Zach loves wildlife photography, and you can often find him taking pictures of plants and animals in his free time.
Favorite outdoor summer activity: Zach is working with FRNC’s Paddle Adventure Camp this summer, which fits great with his love of kayaking!
What he’s looking forward to: Zach, a native New Yorker, is excited to explore more of his home state on the Paddle Adventure Camp field trips, which will take him to lots of places he’s never visited.
Ryleigh Scales, Environmental Educator
What she loves about nature: Ryleigh feels free in nature. Spending time outdoors makes her feel more connected to the Earth and less trapped in the crazy, plugged-in world of people.
Favorite outdoor summer activity: When the weather is warm, you can find Ryleigh going on hikes and riding her motorcycle.
What she’s looking forward to: Ryleigh is thrilled to have a job that’s completely outdoors. She is so excited to work outside, and even more excited to help kids appreciate the world around them.
Kassandra Souply, Program Administrator
What she loves about FRNC: Kassandra is always stunned at the beautiful drive up the Rye Nature Center’s hilly driveway, and she is grateful to work somewhere trees are valued instead of chopped down.
Favorite outdoor summer activity: Paddleboarding.
What she’s looking forward to: Kassandra looks forward to influencing the generations of future naturalists who come through FRNC.
Cameron Smith, Land Steward
What he loves about FRNC: For Cameron, the Rye Nature Center is an oasis where he can be surrounded by greenery.
Favorite outdoor summer activity: Cameron likes hiking, and he’s also a passionate skateboarder.
What he’s looking forward to: Cameron most looks forward to watching different plantings grow and evolve. Replacing invasives with native flora feels like putting the grounds of the Rye Nature Center back on their original trajectory, and he’s excited to see the native plants flourish.
We’re delighted to have so many enthusiastic nature lovers on our team! Also joining us later this year is Ian Cleary, a new Outreach Coordinator from NYC’s Prospect Park. We hope you’ll give our staff a warm Rye welcome!
