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Mission Statement |
 To educate individuals about the complexity of Earth’s ecosystems and inspire them to become better stewards of our limited resources.
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The Company |
Nature’s Academy, Inc. is a non-profit environmental education company founded in October, 2007. Although the company is relatively new, its board members and staff bring over a decade of experience in environmental education with them. We are dedicated to conservation and sustainability and have made it our mission to share our passion through education. Currently, we teach Boy and Girl Scouts in Florida and school groups throughout the United States. As we grow, we hope to increase the audience we educate and aspire to include all ages across the globe.
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Our Staff |
All of our staff have extensive science and teaching backgrounds. We share a passion for educating people about the wonders of planet Earth and hope to encourage our participants to practice sustainability in their everyday lives. All staff are American Red Cross Professional Rescuers, certified in CPR and First Aid. Additionally, all staff conducting marine and/or aquatic programs are American Red Cross Lifeguards. We want to ensure the safest experience possible for our participants while they are engaged in our dynamic learning environment.
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Biography of Key Staff |
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Dana A. Lawson |
President and Education Director |
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Dana Lawson was immersed in nature at a very early age, growing up with her family in the beautiful landscape of the New Jersey shore, Vermont and Maine. She graduated Cum Laude with a double major in Environmental Studies and Biology from Middlebury College in Vermont in 1995.
She went on to obtain her Masters Degree in Marine Biology from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. Since completing her educational studies, Dana has devoted her knowledge and experience to teaching children and adults the importance of environmental conservation throughout the United States and as far as the Galapagos Islands and Australia. Dana lived in the Florida Keys for over a decade, where she quickly advanced in position from Field Instructor to Director of Education at the Marine Resources Development Foundation.
Dana also owned and operated a snorkel and SCUBA dive business based out of Key Largo, Florida, where she provided educational tours and charters of Florida’s unique coral reef, seagrass and mangrove habitats. Dana moved to Tampa, Florida, after accepting the position of Director of Group and Outreach Programs at the Museum of Science and Industry, where she continued to inspire young people to become better stewards of our planet through diverse educational programming.
Dana has the distinction of being one of the leading names in both scientific research and in educational programming. Currently she is the President and Education Director of Nature’s Academy, Inc., where she continues her lifelong passion for creating and delivering high quality, engaging educational opportunities for children and adults. Dana is also a certified American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor, has her USCG 50 Ton Captain’s license, holds her certification as a PADI Divemaster and is a member of the Florida Marine Science Educators Association, Florida Association of Science Teachers, the National Science Teachers Association and the National Marine Educators Association.
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Jessika Blersch |
Field Instructor |
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Jessika Blersch is currently pursuing a Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology and Environmental Science at the University of South Florida. She is involved in eco-toxicology research within the university and plans to continue her studies through graduate school.
Jessika began teaching science in 2005 at the Museum of Science and Industry, where she sculpted the subject into a fun and more accessible form for all ages. She finds reward in arousing concern for the environment, while delivering a better understanding of Florida’s unique ecosystems. As an instructor for Nature’s Academy, Jessika continues to share her growing passion and knowledge of our natural world.
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