Staff Spotlight: Allie
Environmental Education Fellow
Wildlife Lead
Name: Allie Steffen
Pronouns: She/her
When did you start working at Osprey Wilds?
June 2019
What are your main responsibilities?
- Teaching school groups
- Being a liaison for school groups
- Animal husbandry/wildlife care
What is your favorite part of your position?
Honestly, this is my dream job, so I love every bit of it. My absolute favorite thing to see is the improvement in our animals, and watching students get excited about a subject they did not have a lot of interest in at the beginning of class.
What is your background in, and how did you get involved at Osprey Wilds?
I graduated with a BA in Biology and knew I wanted to work with kids and animals. After teaching and coaching swimming at the YMCA, a friend connected me to the fellowship program at Osprey Wilds. I applied right away, and here I am!
What is your favorite class to teach and why?
My favorite class to teach is Animal Signs, especially in the winter when there are so many different animal tracks to find. Students get really excited and it’s fun to watch.
What is the coolest thing you’ve seen at work?
This winter, we spent two days visiting a school and teaching 6th graders. In the beginning, I asked what they liked to do outside. Nearly half said that they “never go outside.” By the end of the two days, they were racing to get outside and play in the snow. I knew at this point that we had made an impact.
What is your favorite event at Osprey Wilds?
Winter Family Weekend! It is so much fun to see families interacting with each other and learning about nature.
What are you most excited about in regards to your position?
Part of being an education fellow is writing and developing a class curriculum. I am very excited to continue to develop these skills. I am also excited about the progress I have made with our Educational Ambassador, Athena.
What is your favorite place at Osprey Wilds?
I love Grindstone Lake in all seasons! It is so much fun to be able to float in the summer sun and stargaze on a cold, clear winter night.