Christian is a lifelong traveller and educator (interservice communications software instructor in the U.S. Army, public high school teacher in Houston, docent for the Central Coast State Parks Association in California, and kayak guide in Morro Bay, California), who only recently fulfilled his lifelong dream of exploring Yellowstone beginning in 2021 when he signed on as a Field Educator after several months as a Program Volunteer for the Institute at the Lamar Buffalo Ranch. He loves the outdoors and sharing its wonders with others in the hope that they might be similarly inspired and take anything learned back with them to share and apply in their home communities as we all work together in our global efforts to appreciate natural spaces and their importance in all of our lives. Kayaking, hiking, birding, soccer, tennis, scuba diving, reading, and meeting others are how you are likely to find him occupied when he’s not in the field. Christian is fluent in Spanish and conversant in French and Portuguese.
David Valdivia
Field Educator
I have been working in the National Parks in multiple capacities for the past 14 years (primarily Yellowstone National Park). My goal and passion is to educate and inspire those who visit the National Parks and other natural places beyond. I will never claim that I know everything when it comes to Yellowstone and other National Parks, but I will say that I know a little bit of everything.
Jenna Perryman
Field Educator
Jenna is a Texan from birth but a Montanan by heart. She has a master’s degree from Mississippi State University in Environmental Science with a focus in bats. Jenna was a classroom teacher for six years before pursuing a career with outdoor education, which brought her to Yellowstone in May 2024 as a YCC crew leader and education technician. Her spouse is now a science teacher at the Gardiner Public School, so they live here full-time with their three cats. When Jenna’s not outdoors (hiking, backpacking, camping, swimming, and newly skiing), she’s knitting, reading, or enjoying good food!
Kyle Wonders
Lead Field Educator
Kyle started his career as a wildlife biologist, but quickly realized his true passion lay in environmental education. Over the last five years, he has worked to combine wildlife biology with environmental education through roles as Citizen Science Coordinator with a western Montana watershed group, curriculum designer for a zoological museum, and a Beaver Conflict Resolution Specialist with the National Wildlife Federation. He brings his passion for the natural world to his work as an educator as he creates connections to place through authentic experiences in and on the landscapes he works within. Kyle has a deep curiosity for the ways that wildlife finds itself so intrinsically interconnected with geology, history, and in so many ways our lives. He is an avid bird-watcher, fly fisherman, and backpacker who strives to experience and connect with the natural world in as many ways as possible.
Anna Kerins
Field Educator
Anna was born and raised in Helena, Montana. She grew up biking, camping, and skiing, and this is how her love for the environment grew. She recently graduated with a degree in wildlife biology from the University of Montana. She has worked as a Camp Counselor, ski instructor, and naturalist, which has helped her build her love for outdoor education. Outside of work, you can find Anna reading, baking, or playing in the mountains!
Piper Jefferson
Institute Program Coordinator
Piper Jefferson is an educator and naturalist who has lived and worked in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem for over two years. After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Sustainability Studies with a concentration in Conservation Biology, and now pursuing a Master’s of Natural Resource Stewardship and Ecological Restoration, she has found outdoor-based, experiential education to be a passion worth following. Being very intrigued by the natural world and having a lot of excitement to express, Piper is an enthusiastic storyteller who loves to share her excitement with anyone interested in listening!
Ella Goetze
Field Educator
Ella Goetze is a lifelong lover and avid student of the outdoors, born and raised in Vermont. After many great adventures growing up on the East Coast, Ella took the leap to move out to Yellowstone in 2024 to work with the Yellowstone Youth Conservation Corps. They have stuck around the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem ever since, working with YCC, teaching skiing and winter ecology in Bozeman, and volunteering with park interpretation. Ella is passionate about bringing others into the outdoors to inspire lasting wonder and curiosity for the natural world. They can be found outside just about every day of the year hiking, trail running, skiing, and/or biking.
Dave Oberbillig
Field Educator
Missoula, Montana is home for Dave, though a big piece of home exists in Yellowstone. Dave is retired from public school teaching where he engaged high school students in the study of biology, ecology and conservation for 20 years. Journeys to Yellowstone were part of the teaching and learning year. It’s a true pleasure for Dave to share the wonders of Yellowstone National Park with visitors young and old, and those both new to Yellowstone and returning once again to experience the magic of Wonderland.
Kyle Vetter
Field Educator
After visiting Yellowstone for the first time in 2016, Kyle fell in love with the park and has now spent 9 summers and 4 winters in Yellowstone. Having done work with wildlife, archaeology, fisheries, and even snow removal Kyle has experienced a lot of what is going on in the park. I really enjoy experiencing the park for the first time through visitors and helping them develop a deeper appreciation for what makes Yellowstone so special.
Mark Wolf
Field Educator
Mark Wolf is a passionate advocate for environmental education and conservation, currently serving as a Field Educator at Yellowstone Forever. As a member of the park service previously, Mark worked to ensure the park’s ecological integrity while providing visitors with enriching experiences that showcased the park’s natural wonders. Now as a Field Educator at Yellowstone Forever, Mark continues his mission of inspiring environmental consciousness and fostering a deep appreciation for the unique ecosystems within Yellowstone National Park.
Vanessa Hoffman
Field Educator
Vanessa is originally from PA but has been migrating cross-country for the past 8 years working in the field of environmental education. She also earned a Master’s in Wildlife, Fisheries & Aquaculture from Mississippi State University along the way. Vanessa is excited to return to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem this winter and to share meaningful experiences with others as they explore the beauty of Yellowstone together. When she’s not hiking, birding, or talking about pronghorn, Vanessa enjoys reading, painting, and laughing at her own jokes.
Amanda Evans
Lead Field Educator
Amanda Evans is a Yellowstone Forever lead field educator. Her passion for wildlife and wild places has led her to making the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem her home. She feels that it is through firsthand experience with the natural world that people build the strongest connections to it. Her goal is to use education to foster the same appreciation she feels and to inspire others to preserve and protect nature in all spaces.
Sam Archibald, M.E.M.
Field Education Manager
Sam Archibald is the Field Education Manager for Yellowstone Forever. Along the trail toward environmental education, Sam developed outdoor leadership programs as a Peace Corps volunteer, led YCC work crews as a park ranger, and earned his master’s degree in environmental management (Western Colorado University). As a Lead Field Educator with YF, Sam taught field courses on wolf ecology, birds & blooms, Yellowstone Communities and Kinship, and other topics related to Yellowstone geology, ecology, and management. Sam is grateful for every day he gets to spend out in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and looks forward to the continual discoveries offered by this wild and wonderful landscape.
