Mission Statement
To educate individuals about the complexity of Earth’s ecosystems and inspire them to become better stewards of our limited resources.
The Company
Nature’s Academy, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3 environmental education company based in the greater Tampa Bay area and founded in October, 2007. Although the company is relatively new, its board members and staff bring over thirty years 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. Safety is our number one priority - all Nature's Academy staff are American Red Cross Lifeguard/CPR/First Aid certified. Currently, we conduct programs for family, church 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.
Biography of Key Staff
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Dana A. Pounds
President, Executive Director
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Dana Pounds grew up immersed in nature with 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 received her Master’s Degree in Marine Biology from Nova Southeastern University in Florida in 2005. Dana has since devoted her knowledge and experience to teaching children and adults the importance of environmental conservation throughout the Unites States and as far as the Galapagos Islands and Australia.
She is the President and Executive Director of Nature’s Academy, Inc., where she continues to pursue her lifelong passion of creating and delivering high quality, engaging educational opportunities for children and adults. Dana is 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, League of Environmental Educators in Florida, the National Science Teachers Association, the National Marine Educators Association and the North American Association for Environmental Education.
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Jessika Blersch
Education Coordinator
While growing up, Jessika relished in the natural beauty of Kentucky, Alaska, and Florida. Since 2006, Jessika has been "bringing the classroom outdoors," sharing her passion for the natural sciences with children and adults. She holds her B.S. in Biology from USF, and is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate.
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Kristin Abraham
Office Administrator
Kristin Abraham was born in Ohio and spent her childhood studying the Great Lakes. She moved to Florida in 2000. Since then she has traveled extensively in Europe and the Caribbean. She is currently finishing her B.A. at Eckerd College. Along with her passion for conservation and ecology, in her spare time she and her husband are amateur naturalists observing native and migratory birds, marine and wildlife.
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Board Members
Click name to see curriculum vitae
President Vice-President Treasurer
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