Nicole L. Crane
lead instructorMS IN MARINE SCIENCE, SF STATE UNIVERSITY—MOSS LANDING, 1991;
MA IN SCIENCE EDUCATION, UC SANTA CRUZ, 2003
Nicole is a senior conservation scientist with the Oceanic Society and a faculty member in the biology department at Cabrillo College. Her research interests lie in coral reef ecology, marine conservation and science education. Nicole also works with local communities in the Pacific and Caribbean to develop collaborative reef management plans, including marine protected areas. She teaches university courses in plant biology, marine biology, ecology and environmental science. She has taught our Big Sur Program since 1997 and will initiate our Fall 2020 California Program.
Nicole’s other program:
Jehren Boehm
lead instructorMSC IN GEOGRAPHY, UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO, 2019
Wildlands Studies Alumni – Indian Himalaya Program, Fall 2011
Jehren is a geographer in the realm of mountain science using tree rings and weather station arrays to answer spatial and temporal questions. His research interests lie between the biogeochemical cycling of mountain systems, the vagaries of seasonal snow cover, and the anthropogenic effects that complicate the two. His research interests span from weather stations in the Basin and Range of Nevada to endangered junipers in Bermuda to the steep slopes of the Indian Himalaya (where Wildlands Studies students directly contribute to active research). After many years as a teaching assistant and logistical coordinator, Jehren will lead our Indian Himalaya program starting spring 2020 and will initiate our Fall 2020 California Program.
Jehren’s other program:
Mason London
lead instructorMSc in Biology, Humboldt State University, 2017
Wildlands Studies Alumni – Chile Program, Winter 2009
Wildlands Studies Alumni – Pacific Northwest Program, Fall 2009
Mason is a stream ecologist interested in the physical and chemical composition of aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, he has researched plant and insect interactions in the Andes of Venezuela and the recovery of the endangered Island Grey Fox on California’s Channel Islands. Mason’s passion for teaching and the outdoors intersect the most greatly when he is able to engage students in observing ecosystem processes that generally go unnoticed. As a two-time alumni of the 2009 Chile Patagonia and Pacific Northwest programs, Mason understands the importance of hands-on research experience. He has assisted with our Channel Islands Program since 2017, led our New Zealand Program since 2019 and will initiate our Fall 2020 California Program.
Mason’s other program:
Erisy Watt
Program ManagerBS in Environmental Studies, University of california, Santa Barbara, 2017
Wildlands Studies Alumni – Thailand Program, Winter 2014
Erisy is a passionate environmentalist and aquatic naturalist. Having worked as a project director for a non-profit organization focused on sustainable transportation, and traveling the world as a professional touring musician, Erisy believes that personal engagement with the natural world helps us recognize our role in protecting it. Erisy has coordinated six different Wildlands Studies programs in Thailand and Nepal, and just developed our newest summer program in Mongolia (coming Summer 2021!). She is excited to be the Program Manager for the California Program this fall.
Jeremy Ferrara
Logistical coordinatorBA in Physics, University of california, Santa barbara, 2015
Jeremy is passionate about the fundamental beauty of mathematics, music, and the natural world. Jeremy taught 8th and 9th grade science abroad in Thailand, worked as a special education paraeducator in Oregon, and traveled the world as a professional touring musician. He is looking forward to working as the Logistical Coordinator of our California Program.