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Mission
The Hitchcock Center for the Environment's mission is to foster a greater awareness and understanding of our natural world and to develop environmentally literate citizens. We offer natural history programs for people of all ages and backgrounds. We are committed to excellence in science education and work extensively in school systems throughout western Massachusetts training educators to be more effective science teachers.
History
Ethel Dubois founded the Long Plains Nature Center in 1962 to provide urban youth the opportunity to experience the natural world and to develop a sense of wonder about it. Located on Ms. Dubois' farm in Leverett, Massachusetts, the Center offered nature programs and summer camps. In 1971 the Hitchcock Center was incorporated as a nonprofit organization dedicated to the exploration of science and nature. In 1975, it moved to its current location on the Larch Hill Conservation Area in Amherst, Massachusetts. The Hitchcock Center has emerged as one of the leading science and environmental education organizations in western Massachusetts.
Staff
The Hitchcock Center has a dedicated professional staff who do everything from running the day to day business to lecturing, teaching, and programming. In addition to individual projects, staff members collaborate with local experts, professionals, and volunteers to bring a wide variety of activities to the public. Click here to learn more about our Educators.
Julie Johnson
Executive Director
jjohnson@hitchcockcenter.org
| Katie Koerten Acting Community Programs Coordinator and Camp Director katie@hitchcockcenter.org |
Micky McKinley Resource Center Coordinator and Educator/Naturalist mckinley@hitchcockcenter.org |
| Katrina Burton Office Manager and Website Developer katrina@hitchcockcenter.org |
Rebecca Reid |
Ruth Courtnell |
Helen Ann Sephton Educator/Naturalist helenann@hitchcockcenter.org |
| Susan Heitker Development and Communications Coordinator susan@hitchcockcenter.org |
Jennifer Unkles Assistant Bookkeeper accounting@hitchcockcenter.org |
| Colleen Kelley Educator/Naturalist colleen@hitchcockcenter.org |
Ted Watt Educator/Naturalist ted@hitchcockcenter.org |
| Casey Beebe (*Maternity Leave*) Community Programs Coordinator and Camp Director casey@hitchcockcenter.org |
Education Consultant:
Patty O'Donnell
Board of Directors
Executive Committee:Jaana Cutson, President
Martha Hoopes, Vice President
Marie Hess, Treasurer
Caroline Hanna, Clerk
Board Members:
Penny Beebe, Jim Brassord, Michael Dover, Nancy Eddy, Judith Espinola, Bill Hart, Marian Kent, Susan Loring-Wells, Mark Protti, Ann Romberger, Bob Saul, Lisa M. Sihvonen-Binder, Sonya Sofield, Pete Westover, Larry Winship.
Ex Officio Board Members:
Harvey Allen (Amherst Conservation Commission Liaison) and Julie Johnson.
Advisory Council:
Joanna Brown, Dr. Don Kroodsma, Dr. Lynn Margulis, Lorna Peterson, Senator Stan Rosenberg, Lauret Savoy, Representative Ellen Story, Mary Taft.
Annual Report
Click here for our 2009 Annual Report.