Meet The Team
*Guest Instructors not Pictured Here
Will
William Mason is a naturalist, educator, and sought-after speaker specializing in reptiles, amphibians, and scorpions. Active in the scientific community, he is known for sharing his expertise through educational programs, public presentations, and field experiences.
William is passionate about helping students develop a deeper understanding of wildlife and the important role these animals play in our ecosystems. His engaging teaching style combines scientific knowledge with hands-on exploration, encouraging curiosity, respect, and appreciation for the natural world.
Through his work, William inspires learners of all ages to discover the remarkable diversity of life that exists right in their own communities.
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Carly
Carly Lake is a painter, art educator, and fiber artist exploring natural dyes from her home in Upland, California. Lake works as an illustrator, creating vibrant imagery for stories, print, murals, and more.
Her debut picture book, Waa’aka The Bird Who Fell in Love With the Sun (Heyday Books), is a retelling of an origin story of how the sun got up into the sky by Tongva author and professor, Cindi Alvitre.
She has 7 years of art education experience with children K-12, focusing on topics of drawing, watercolor, connecting with nature, and cultivating imagination. She also enjoys facilitating classes about natural dyes, sharing ethnobotanical histories, artistic techniques, and learning with others about our shared urban ecology.
She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration and minor in Native American Cultures from California State University at Long Beach. Her portfolio can be found at carlylake.com.
Boaz
Boaz is a naturalist and nature-based educator in the Los Angeles area. He comes to us after working with the Aquarium of the Pacific in animal husbandry and outdoor education with Los Angeles after-school programs, including the homeschool program for HFAdventureCommunity.
Specializing in entomology, Boaz is not only an insect enthusiast but also a prolific observer, with an impressive 80,000+ observations on iNaturalist! The students absolutely love going on exploratory walks with him.
"As an educator, my vision is to show people how important the connections we make both to nature and each other are and how they can shape our future for the better."
Whether you are an adult or student with us, you will learn something every time you are on a trail with him!
Suzy
Suzy Gonzalez is the founder and executive director of Healthy Footprints Adventure Community, a nonprofit organization that connects youth with conservation, ecology, and community science through hands-on outdoor experiences.
With more than 20 years of experience working with youth in outdoor education, athletics, and classroom settings, Suzy is passionate about helping young people build confidence, curiosity, and a meaningful connection to the natural world.
Suzy is a Wilderness First Responder, University of California California Naturalist, and Leave No Trace Trainer.
She is also the founder of the HFAC Gear Library, program coordinator for the San Dimas Canyon Nature Center Association, a member of the Glendora Trails Council, and a volunteer with the Outdoors Empowered Network.
Through her work, Suzy creates opportunities for youth and families to explore local ecosystems, participate in conservation projects, and discover the outdoors through adventure, stewardship, and community science.
Gilbert
Gilbert is a passionate educator with over 20 years of athletic performance coaching and plant-based nutrition. He developed a psychomotor program for the LAUSD, holds a certificate in plant-based nutrition from Cornell University, and is an energetic motivational leader in his field. The youth love his positive energy and always feel encouraged to take safe risks while on outdoor adventures with him.
You may find him leading our high-ropes courses in Yorba Linda, guiding school groups, youth and adult rehabilitation groups, police cadets, and search and rescue personnel.
He is passionate about personal health of the people, all animals, and our home, the planet. You can see and feel his love for youth from the moment you meet him.
Languages: English, Spanish
Bradley
Bradley is an outdoor educator with a passion for fostering a sense of wonder and connection with the natural world.
He holds a master's degree in Outdoor Education Leadership and leads groups on a range of nature experiences in both urban and wilderness areas.
Bradley grew up in the midwest where he fell in love with the prairies and forests of Illinois and Wisconsin. He recently moved to Los Angeles and has been exploring all of the biodiversity that California has to offer.
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Rachel
Rachel’s background is in photography, with nine years of professional and academic experience, but her passions extend beyond that. She is an enthusiast and student of nature who can often be found on the local trails, photographing the life she encounters.
She adores working with kids, and has many years of experience as a mentor, tutor, and caretaker. Also working as a counselor at HAWKs LA, she has honed her teaching abilities, instructing students in everything from hiking conduct to the names and habits of local plants and animals.
She is excited to use all her skills to inspire each child she teaches, and to be a member of the amazing community at Healthy Footprints.
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Kayla
Kayla is a Divemaster, a scientific diver, and a freelance conservationist who has pursued ocean exploration and science in every aspect of her life since she began her ocean journey when she moved to California in 2021.
Kayla’s career as a software engineer is centered around ocean technology. She joined Coral Gardeners in June, 2023 and works alongside engineers and scientists on the CG Labs team to build a Reef Observation System. She has experience in projects processing bathymetric seafloor data and automating coral reef heath models.
She volunteers her time to restoring coral reefs, studying whale sharks, and monitoring kelp forests all over the world. She’s passionate about keeping our oceans clean and she hosts beach cleanups as often as she can.
When she’s not underwater, Kayla loves hiking, camping, and backpacking in the mountains. She loves long road trips, reading books about explorers, and she cherishes quality time with her loved ones. Most of the time, though, you’ll find her with her toes in the sand and her hair salty from the sea.
Samal
Sam's deep connection to the natural world traces back to their childhood, a period marked by transformative experiences in the Philippines. Collaborating with their Grandmother, Sam engaged in field research amid the lahar fields formed by the Mt. Pinatubo volcanic eruption. In this dynamic environment, the power of community knowledge and mutual aid became evident, leaving an indelible mark on Sam's perspective.
Sam is a nurse, California Naturalist, community science practitioner, environmental educator, and artist based in Los Angeles County. Their work sits at the intersection of public health, conservation, environmental justice, and community engagement.
A Bat Conservation International Ambassador with a background in community science program leadership, Sam develops programs, research initiatives, and creative projects that help people build meaningful relationships with local ecosystems.
Through field-based education, scientific monitoring, printmaking, and storytelling, they explore how communities can support both human and ecological well-being in urban landscapes.
Join Our Team!
We're always looking for passionate people who love nature, guiding youth, and inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.
Whether you're an educator, naturalist, artist, scientist, outdoor enthusiast, or have a unique skill you'd like to share, we'd love to hear from you. Opportunities may include teaching workshops, leading field experiences, assisting with programs, or seasonal and part-time positions.
Please email your resume and a brief cover letter to hfadventurecommunity@gmail.com.