Mentors

Green Steps mentors are representatives from the public and private sectors who offer guidance in planning, executing and judging the school projects. To contact a mentor via e-mail, simply click on his or her name.

Baldauf, Mary Pat (Lexington County Solid Waste Management)
Mentor for: Recycling, environmental art

After nine years as executive director of Keep the Midlands Beautiful, Mary Pat has joined Lexington County Solid Waste Management as their Recycling Coordinator, where she's responsible for recycling education and outreach. Mary Pat has a BA in Journalism from the University of South Carolina. She presently serves as a member of DHEC's Waste Tire Committee, chairman of Carolina Recycling Association's Midlands Networking Council and Green Steps Co-Chair and "Webmistress." Mary Pat likes to make cool things from trash and has a fabulous 110-something lb. dog named Winston.

Bloom, Jenny (Charleston County Solid Waste Department)
Mentor for: Recycling, composting, enviro-shopping, resource conservation, organic gardening

As Community Representative and Recycling Educator, Jenny works with Charleston schools, residents, and businesses to try to grow the community's participation in our County recycling programs through education and outreach. She has a BA from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA. Jenny loves working in the field of Solid Waste and says,, "The idea that we are all connected to each other, our community and our planet through our refuse seems very important and direct to me."

Bohnet, Anne (SC Forestry Commission)
Mentor for: Recycling, composting, gardening, tree identification and energy conservation

Anne just announced that she is joining the SC Forestry Commission as Assistant Environmental Education Coordinator. Anne has a BS in Environmental Science and Masters degrees in Natural Science Education and Education Administration from the University of South Carolina. She was recognized as Project Learning Tree's 2004 "Educator of the Year" for South Carolina and 2006 "National Educator of the Year." Anne is an Environmental Education Association of South Carolina (EEASC) board member.

Curlee, Diane (Orangeburg County Conservation District)
Mentor for: Carolina fence gardens/butterfly habitats. Facilitator for PLT (Project Learning Tree), Project WET (Water Education for Teachers), Project WILD and Aquatic WILD

As Education Coordinator, Diane works with schools to enhance environmental programs. She has an Associate Degree in Medical Lab Technology and a BS in Natural Sciences and Education. In 2005, she was recognized for Excellence in Conservation for Make A Splash Events. Diane has worked on a number of different Carolina Fence Gardens as a Habitat Steward; her first garden was the first certified Schoolyard Habitat in the nation.

Curran, Amy (DHEC's Office of Air Quality)
Mentor for: DHEC Air Quality Programs such as B2@ School and Ozone Action; Action for a Cleaner Tomorrow, Champions of the Environment, Project Learning Tree

Amy is an Environmental Educator for SCDHEC's Bureau of Air Quality, where she creates materials and programs for school age youth and educators focusing on how they can help reduce air pollution in South Carolina. She received her BA in Health and Fitness from Columbia College and a SC teaching certification in Physical Education. She has also taken additional environmental education courses from Columbia College and USC. Amy loves being outside; two of her favorite outdoor activities are fishing and bird watching. She has three wonderful kids: an adorable, sassy 14 year old Jack Russell; an 85 lb.Chesapeake Bay Retriever who is a great lap dog; and a very handsome, lovable cat.

Tom Falvey (South Carolina State Museum )
Mentor for: Rain gardens and other water quality projects, recycling and tree identification projects

As Curator of Science & Technology/Interim Director of Education, Tom collects and exhibits science and technology artifacts that are important to South Carolina's history. He also builds partnerships in SC to expand museum collections and understand important current and past scientific research and happenings. Tom has a BS in Media Systems and Management from Westfield State College and a Master's in Forest Resources and Conservation (with an environmental education focus) from University of Florida, Gainesville. He is a committee member for the SC Academy of Science. Tom commutes to and from work on a bicycle nearly every day of the year and play trumpets for Ska band, The Usuals.

Green , Sara (SC Wildlife Federation)
Mentor for: Schoolyard wildlife habitats, composting and mercury pollution

As Director of Education, Sara coordinates the Backyard & Schoolyard Habitat Programs, the Wildlife And Industry Together (W.A.I.T.) program, Federation Field Trips, National Wildlife Week in SC, Habitat Stewards Workshops, and many other programs and events. She has a BS in Marine Science from the University of South Carolina. She received the Backyard Wildlife Habitat Certification in 2002. She has received the following awards: Richland County Master Gardener Volunteer of the Year 2003; Garden Clubs of South Carolina Presidential Service Award 2003. Sara grew up in Ohio, and moved to SC in 1995. She has two beautiful daughters

Hiller, Jane (Sonoco Recycling)
Mentor for: Recycling, composting, indoor/outdoor gardening

As Environmental Education Center Director for Sonoco Recycling, Jane educates our community about the benefits of recycling and coordinates recycling programs for schools and businesses. Jane has education degrees from Purdue and DePaul universities and has received many awards and honors in the field, including: Illinois Environmental Educators of the Year (1994); Keep SC Beautiful Environmental Program of the Year (2000); Carolina Recycling Association Spotlight Award (2002); SC DHEC's Offive of Recycling's Special Recognition Award (2005), Carolina Recycling Association's Recycler of the Year (2005) and the SC Wildlife Federation Conservation Communicator of the Year (2006). Jane is the co-chair of the SC Green Step Schools Initiative.

Henderson, Mary Jane (Richland County Conservation District)
Mentor for: Outdoor classrooms, nature trails, back yard habitats, Project Learning Tree, composting, soil and water quality

As Education Coordinator, Mary Jane works with Richland School Districts One, Two, and Richland/Lexington School District Five, as well as Ft. Jackson Schools and all private schools in Richland County. She also helps coordinate programs for the "Conservation Station" at the Clemson Research and Education Center. Mary Jane attended Furman University in Greenville. Mary Jane has been awarded the South Carolina Outstanding Conservation District Employee of the Year Award and the Outstanding Conservation District Education Program Award for the Southeast region. She is an "EIC" school mentor and the current president of the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina. Her favorite thing? Playing with my two little grandchildren.

Hodgdon, Chris (Winthrop University)
Mentor for: Green cleaning and composting

As Materials Services Manager/Recycling Coordinator, Chris manages the Shipping/Receiving, Setup, Recycling, Central Supply Warehouse and Surplus Property functions at the University. He has a B.S. Political Science from The Citadel and an M.B.A. from Winthrop University. Chris loves to be outdoors, especially working in the garden; he also enjoys working with wood.

Jaynes, Crad (SC Timber Producers Association)
Mentor for: Sustainable forestry projects

Crad Jaynes, President & CEO of SC Timber Producers Association (SCTPA), represents South Carolina's forest products industry as a lobbyist to the SC General assembly and in Washington, D.C. SCTPA conducts advocacy and training programs for sustainable forestry, timber harvesting and timber trucking. Crad received his both his B.S. in Forest Management and a Master of Forestry at Clemson University. In 1991, he received Clemson's Forestry Alumnus of the Year award and now serves on the school's Forestry & Environmental Science Advisory Board.

Johnson, Deborah
Mentor for: Habitat restoration, planning native plant projects, creating nature trails, and focusing on plants and trees

Deborah has a BA in Secondary Education and History from USC and MAR from Lutheran Seminary in Outdoor Ministries. Deborah is a certified arborist and a professional botanist.

Johnson, Heidi (Keep the Midlands Beautiful)
Mentor for: Recycling, litter prevention, composting and gardening

Heidi is the new executive director for Keep the Midlands Beautiful! She received an M.S. in Nonprofit Management from the Milano Graduate School of Management and Urban Policy and a B.A. in East Asian Studies from Western Washington University. She grew up in Portland, Oregon, where her recycling habits were instilled from an early age. Heidi has two cats and a miniature schnauzer, Daphne. Daphne and Heidi were certified as a pet therapy team in early 2007. Welcome aboard, Heidi!

Jones, Mary Lou
Mentor for: Just about ANY environmental project

When it comes to environmental acvities, Mary Lou is a busy individual She serves as an EIC mentor, EEASC board member and Tree Greenville board member, and is founder of Paris Mt State Park Friends. A former biology.science teacher, Mary Lou currently teaches Discover Carolina programs at Paris Mt State Parkk and genetic classes at Furman's FULIR program. She received her BS in Biology from USC; MAT from Converse College; Master + Thirty at Furman University. She has received Upstate Forever's Advocate of the Year Award and PMSP Friend's Best Friend Award. As you can see, she loves to teach, both young people and adults.

Jordan, Christa (DHEC Bureau of Air Quality)
Mentor for: DHEC's B2@ School, Action for a Cleaner Tomorrow, Champions of the Environment; grants and research

As Environmental Educator, Christa educates the public of all ages about the current air quality concerns/issues impacting SC and the ways each person can help improve and protect our air. This may take the form of interactive visits to schools and businesses, participating in the planning and execution of a public outreach campaign and event or developing materials for DHEC's website or publications. Christa received her B.S. in Forest Resources from Clemson University and received the Michael D. Jarrett DHEC Customer Service Award in 2005. Christa has just started to learn about birdwatching!

Kyle, Anne
Mentor for: Forestry projects

Anne retired from the South Carolina Forestry Commission. Her work at the Forestry Commission included multi-media campaigns, educational facilitating with Firewise Community workshops and Project Learning Tree teacher workshops, and discovery learning school programs. She has written and illustrated two booklets for students, The Forest Fun Booklet and The Urban Forest Fun Booklet, both which have been reprinted for students across the US and Hawaii. Anne received her art and design education from the Atlanta Art Center and the University of South Carolina. Her interests vary from a passion for reading to white-water kayaking.

LaSalle, Lynne (DHEC's Champions of the Environment Program)
Mentor for: Water quality projects

Lynne is a Program Coordinator for SC DHEC's Bureau of Water where she coordinates the Champions of the Environment campaign, promotes Champions' programs across the state, selects groups and individuals to become the next Champions of the Environment. Lynne received her BS in Animal Science from the College of Agriculture and Life Science at Cornell University. She can provide assistance on reducing runoff pollution and other water quality education projects for K-12 students. Lynne used to enjoy observing nature by herself, but now intentionally points out everything that might interest her young daughter. Lynne says,"A soul is never too young or too old to be clued into the workings of nature."

Leclair, Lynn , SC Forestry Commission
Mentor for: Educational programs concerning the value of our forests, recycling projects

As Pee Dee Stewardship Forester, Lynn assists private landowners with the development and implementation of multiple resource management plans. She has a BA from Coker College and a BS from Clemson University, where she majored in Forest Management. Lynn says that she truly enjoys her job and the many and varied opportunities that it provides her.

Lott, Tonya (SC Department of Commerce)
Mentor for: Recycling, sustainability, air, land, energy projects

Tonya is an Economic Development Manager with Commerce's Recycling Market Development program. She promotes and enhances recycling among businesses and industries; assists businesses, industry, general public, and other organizations with technical assistance and market referrals; and staffs the Recycling Market Development Advisory Council. Tonya's undergraduate degree is in Biology, and she has an MA in Management. Tonya has served as a volunteer for the Richland County Lunch Buddy Program and Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Marlow, Diane (SC DHEC Office of Recycling )
Mentor for: Composting, recycling, reuse and environmental art

As Program Coordinator, Diane teaches an integrated approach to gardening, including backyard composting,through the SC Gardening and Recycling Organics Wisely (GROW)program. She also develops training sessions for counties' recycling coordinators and attendants and provides technical assistance. After graduating from LaGrange College in Georgia with a BA in History and Psychology, Diane taught kindergarten, third, seventh and ninth grades. Diane has taken advanced courses in non-profit management, lead glass design, gardening, oil painting, first aid and lifesaving. She is a life long member of the Girl Scouts of America.

McNatt, Wendy, Greenville County Solid Waste Department
Mentor for: Recycling, litter and waste reduction projects

Wendy is the Recycling Education Specialist for the Greenville County Solid Waste Division. She educates the community about waste reduction, recycling and litter. She conducts landfill and Material Recovery Facility tours, presentations and promotions. Wendy is also responsible for the Adopt-A-Road program. She is a member of the Carolina Recycling Association, South Carolina Litter Control Association and the Solid Waste Association of North America. Wendy has a B.A. in Mass Communications and a Minor in Business and Aeronautical Science from Auburn University. She has three dogs, enjoys playing golf and gardening, and is very active in her church.

Miller, Kathy (Oakview Elementary School)
Mentor for: Schoolyard habitats, recycling

As Science Lab Teacher, Kathy teaches 3rd - 5th grade students weekly in Oakview's science lab and K-2nd grade students one lesson each quarter. She is responsible for Oakview's comprehensive recycling programs and schoolyard habitats. Kathy has a BS from Slippery Rock University in Slippery Rock, PA and an MA from the University of Pittsburgh. Kathy's honors and awards are too numerous to list in this small space, but include the Christa McAuliffe Fellowship Award, Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching and Seaworld/Busch Gardens/Fujifilm Environmental Excellence Award, which included a $10,000 prize. After growing up in Greenville, Pennsylvania, Kathy has spent the past 20 years in Greenville, South Carolina.

Morgan, Elizabeth (Rock Hill Clean and Green)
Mentor for: Recycling, litter prevention

Elizabeth is the Environmental Education Specialist for the City of Rock Hill. She is excited about her new position, in which she will be responsible for community environmental education. Elizabeth has a BA in Environmental Studies from The University of Kansas.

Powell, Jessica (Keep America Beautiful of Anderson County)
Mentor for: Recycling, waste reduction and beautification projects

As an environmental educator for Anderson County, Jessica creates curricula for area schools and utilizes existing curricula to teach students about waste reduction, litter prevention, and beautification. She also oversees educational
programs including Read for the Environment, Tree Identification, the Telephone Book Recycling Contest, Scarecrow Contest, Trash Troopers, health fairs, and speaking engagements. Jessica has a BA in English and a minor in Communications.

Stiltner, Heather (DHEC's Bureau of Air Quality)
Mentor For: Air quality projects

As K-12 Environmental Educator, Heather creates materials, lesson plans, and programs for K-12 schools. She also teaches students and educators how they can help improve air quality. Heather received a BA in Biology at Gettysburg College and Masters in Environmental Science at College of Charleston. Heather has played the clarinet since she was nine years old and met her husband in college band.

Spicer, Kim
Mentor for: Gardening, recycling and composting projects

Kim is a graduate of Valley High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kim received the 2002 Innovative Program Award from SC Parks and Recreation.

Strange, Michelle (Keep America Beautiful of Anderson County)
Mentor for: Recycling, litter prevention, and gardening

As Director of Keep America Beautiful of Anderson County, Michelle has coordinated a wide range of environmental programs that have been recognized for excellence at the regional, state, and national levels. She is a master gardener, an avid recycler, and a third-generation United Methodist Women president.  Michelle holds a BS in Social Sciences from Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods College.

Stringer, William (Clemson University & SC Native Plant Society)
Mentor for: Wildlife habitat projects and native plant gardens for science classes

As a faculty member at Clemson University and Penn State University, William not only teaches and does research, but is also the project coordinator of a native grass collection. He has a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech and loves to tell stories about the history of people and plants in South Carolina.

Thompson, Nancy (Sumter High School Environmental Center)
Mentor for: Creation of outdoor learning sites of any size (including locations, organisms present, activities to use, etc.); creation and use of home composters; creation & location of butterfly gardens; creation & location of Carolina fence gardens

Nancy maintains Sumter High School's (SHS) 35-acre Environmental Center and coordinates the use of the facility by student and outside groups. She is a retired high school environmental science teacher from SHS with 29 years experience. Nancy has a BS from Clemson University and MEd from University of South Carolina. Nancy has received numerous honors and awards, including the SC Conservation District Environmental Teacher of the Year and Outstanding Environmental Educator, Environmental Education Association of SC. Nancy says that most of her interests revolve around being outside - yard work, pruning, gardening, insects, and nature in general.

Thompson, Sharon (Department of Health & Environmental Control)
Mentor for: Recycling, recycling/composting education grants

As Grants Administrator, Sharon administers and coordinates recycling/composting grants for k-12 grades, colleges/universites and local governments and coordinates Recycle Guys Awards program. Sharon has a BA in Business Administration from Southern Wesleyan University, and is a member of the Carolina Recycling Association's Collegiate Council. Sharon loves to travel and see new places, have two adult children and one grandson. She likes to be on the water fishing, swimming or boating and enjoys mystery novels.

Tomlinson, Carolyn (Dorchester County)
Mentor for: Innovative school environmental education programs, such as Recycling Troopers, Environmental Leaders and Recycling Survivor Style

Carolyn wears many hats in Dorchester County: Director of Recycling & Education; Executive Director, Keep Dorchester Co. Beautiful; and Adopt-A-Highway Coordinator. She also develops, implements, and evaluates countywide educational programs for recycling/litter control in accordance with state-mandated legislation. She also specializes in community and educational outreach on environmental issues, including award-winning school programs for two school districts. Carolyn has a BS from Charleston Southern and Master's in Ag Education from Clemson University. She has won numerous awards from Keep America Beautiful, SCDOT and DHEC, and this year, received top county honors from DHEC and the Carolina Recycling Association. It's hard to believe this first-time grandmother finds any spare time, but when she does, she likes to cook and spend time golfing with her husband.

Willingham, Alana (Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, Cherokee County 4-H)
Mentor for: Recycling and reduction, gardening, composting, water quality, air quality, and soil/land quality

Alana educates youth, ages 5-19, in areas related to agriculture, natural resources, the environment, citizenship, leadership, science and technology, and healthy lifestyles and nutrition. Alana works with local schools on their recycling efforts, as well as with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Upstate. She has a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics and a Master's degree in Agricultural Education, both from Clemson University. She has been through Project Learning Tree training, Action in the Classroom workshops, and is a Master Gardener.

Windhorn, Mike (Bowater, Inc)
Mentor for: Tree planting projects and other tree pojects as needed

As Procurement Operations Forester, Mike manages certification issues (SFI and ISO) associated with purchasing pulpwood and chips for the pulp and paper mill near Rock Hill. He also administers Bowater's Landowner Assistance Program. which mainly provides seedlings to landowners for reforestation in our procurement area at a reduced cost, and manages requests for information and educational assistance in our procurement area. Mike has a BS in Forest Management from Clemson University. He served two terms as Chair of the SC Project Learning Tree Steering Committee (2002-2005) and currently serves as Chair of the SC Tree Farm Committee. One of his favorite activities is hunting with his two sons.

Woodruff, Alysen (City of Greenville)
Mentor for: Development of new waste reduction programs; expansion of recycling and composting programs; design of waste reduction education initiatives; and development of environmental incentive programs

As the City's Recycling Coordinator, Allison designs and manages recycling education programs for businesses, schools and residents. She also develops new waste reduction initiatives for standard and non-standard commodities. Alysen has a Bachelors degree from Clemson University in Natural Resource Management. Following the completion of her classes, she did interned at Save the Bay in Oakland, CA. Alysen as the Rookie WasteWise Reporter of the Year for 2003 and currently serves as Chair of Upstate Recycling Networking Council for the Carolina Recycling Association. Alysen has 13 pets!

Yasinsac, Leslie (SC DHEC)
Mentor for: Fluorescent bulb recycling

Leslie is an Inspector for SC DHEC's Underground Storage Tank Program. She also teaches Chemistry at Midlands Technical College. Leslie has a B.S. in Chemistry at Furman University and an M.Ed. in Secondary Science at Clemson. In addition to being an avid reader, she claims that Physics gives her the creeps!