OUR TEAM
Executive Director
Suzie has been a nature lover for as long as she can remember, thanks to her parents who took her camping often. This passion led her to pursue a B.S. in Marine Biology at UC Santa Cruz, where she studied amongst the majestic redwoods. While there, she recognized the important connection between positive nature experiences at a young age and a strong environmental ethic later in life. Suzie moved to Humboldt County in 2006, where her interest in place-based nature education led her to volunteer with Friends of the Dunes school education programs. She was hired in her first part-time position with the organization while pursuing an M.A. in Social Science through the Environment and Community Program at Humboldt State University and was hired as a full-time Education Manager after completing her graduate degree in 2010. Suzie has served in many roles with the organization since and remains dedicated to connecting people of all ages to our diverse coastal environments.
Development Director
Ashley earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Central Missouri and holds a post-baccalaureate certification from Cal Poly Humboldt. Although she started in the arts, Ashley soon discovered her true calling in the nonprofit sector. She has made significant contributions to various organizations with over a decade of experience as a successful nonprofit executive in Humboldt County. Currently, at Friends of the Dunes, Ashley leads the fundraising team and coordinates the organization’s annual activities. As a passionate advocate for environmental preservation, Ashley is committed to using her role to protect and conserve the natural world. In her free time, Ashley continues to explore her creative side through printmaking and light shows.
Education Manager
Jen’s philosophy of education is to teach in a way that inspires curiosity. She believes by fostering awareness of the interconnectedness of natural systems and human systems through active hands-on learning and place-based education, students gain knowledge, acquire skills and develop attitudes promoting stewardship. Jen became involved with Friends of the Dunes in 2016 as the instructor for the Coastal Naturalist Training, a University of California Naturalist course.
Jen has a variety of interpretive and environmental education experiences beginning as a middle school science teacher to education ranger for Redwood National & State Parks to education coordinator at Cal Poly Humboldt's Natural History Museum and a faculty member at Cal Poly Humboldt teaching Environmental Education and Interpretation. She is a Master Certified Environmental Educator and Project Learning Tree, WET, and WILD facilitator.
Her favorite place is in the outdoors with friends and family. Some activities she enjoys are agate hunting, trail running, rafting rivers, camping under the stars and watching her sons surfing waves.
Restoration Manager
Justin loves all things about the Natural Resources of Humboldt! After graduating from HSU, he worked for the US Forest Service in Lake Tahoe. While there, he realized how much he loved the Humboldt Redwood Coast, and had to return. Justin formerly worked as Restoration Volunteer Coordinator with Friends of the Dunes in 2012. In recent years, he has been working in the Vacation and Tourism Industry as a Property Manager and Private Naturalist Guide. Justin is very excited to return to the non-profit sector, and take on the role of Restoration Manager to complete the Foredune restoration along the Friends of the Dunes property! Justin has developed, coordinated, and led a diverse range of outdoor programs for people of all types and ages, in every ecosystem in Humboldt County. His love is to help other humans find a positive, and meaningful connection with nature and one another. Justin believes that by demonstrating authenticity, passion, and gumption he can help inspire others to give back and live compassionately.
Outreach Manager
​Verenice has two hometowns in her heart: the bustling metropolitan area of Los Angeles and the vibrant city of Guadalajara, Mexico. Verenice’s love for plants and all creatures flourished in her grandmother's garden, inspiring a lifelong connection with nature. Verenice made Humboldt her home in 2021 after moving to pursue her degree. A graduate of Cal Poly Humboldt with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science and Management, she has developed a deep passion for conservation, community engagement, and land stewardship. Her time in the field has taken her on a journey across a variety of ecosystems; from serene old-growth redwood forests to the dynamic coastal dunes. Her time is often spent with family, friends, two birds, two cats and a very sweet pup. When she is not on a hike, you will find her cooking, dancing, and gardening.
Restoration Technician
Ryland grew up in Los Angeles where he went camping, and hiking. He became interested in nature and ecology at a very young age through his experiences growing up. He moved to Humboldt County in 2012 and studied at Humboldt State University. In 2019 he graduated with a major in Wildlife Management and Conservation. Ryland chose this major after finding his passion for fieldwork in the Wildlife program at Humboldt State University. During his undergraduate degree Ryland became interested in Dune Ecology while he participated in many field projects at Lanphere Dunes. Ryland started working for Friends of the Dunes as a Share the Beach Intern during the summers of 2021 and 2022. In his free time, Ryland and his partner, Emily, enjoy hiking, kayaking, and taking their chocolate Labrador Maggie to the beach.
VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHTS
CAROL VANDER MEER
Board Member
When Carol arrived in Humboldt County from Nebraska in 1994, she was immediately drawn to the coastal dunes. They were curiously reminiscent of the Nebraska sandhills where she did her Master’s work on the ecology of the Niobrara River valley. Carol’s experience includes being a high school biology teacher, a nature center director, and naturalist. She started with Friends of the Dunes as a volunteer docent while she worked as a park ranger at Redwood National Park. She served as Executive Director of Friends of the Dunes from 2004 to 2015. Carol lives in Manila along the shores of Humboldt Bay with her husband Steven. When the tide is high, they enjoy paddling the waters of the bay and up into the Mad River Slough. Though Carol no longer serves as our Executive Director, we are still very grateful to have her on our side as a volunteer. Thank you so much for your continued support, we are lucky to have you!
JOHN ST. MARIE
Stewardship Committee Chair Facilities Manager
John has been involved with Friends of the Dunes since 1988. He was the Director of the organization in the beginning and helped play a key role in helping Friends of the Dunes become an official 501(c)3 nonprofit. John has served on the Land Trust Committee, helping secure the 118 acres that are part of the Humboldt Coastal Nature Center, and he currently serves as Chair of the Stewardship Committee. John was also the caretaker of the Nature Center for many years, helping maintain the building, native landscaping, and helping manage public use on the property.
STEVEN VANDER MEER
Artist
Steven created our first original website from scratch, managed it for years, and helped us transition into creating our new one! He has now handed off the task to our staff. On top of being a self-taught hand-coder of HTML and CSS, he is also an artist, animator, and home brewer with an awesome studio in Manila, near the dunes. Many of the shirts found in our Gift Shop are designed by him, along with our logo! To check out some of his work, visit the Humboldt Coastal Nature Center or his website.