This January, Sonoma Ecology Center welcomed Emma Melendy to our Education Team. As a previous Enviroleader and SEC Environmental Ambassador, Emma brings her personal experiences with SEC’s educational programming to the team, as well as a passion for working with Sonoma County’s youth in environmental education. 

Read on to learn more about Emma’s deep roots in Sonoma, and what else she brings to SEC as an Educator. 

I was born and raised in Sonoma, and now attend Sonoma State University, studying biochemistry. I attended Flowery Elementary School in Sonoma and graduated with a Seal of Biliteracy award. As a local, I grew up with Tony—Sonoma Ecology Center’s Education Program Manager—visiting my classes at Flowery, teaching the lessons I now get to teach as an Educator myself. Early on in high school, I started working with SEC as an EnviroLeader, and later on, as an Environmental Ambassador and Earthlings member. My participation in these programs sparked a passion for learning about our environment, and educating others about its beauty and the importance of protecting it. 

Throughout my first term with the EnviroLeaders, we had the privilege of hiking the Bald Mountain full moon hike, which remains my favorite hike in Sonoma County. I’ve had so many amazing memories at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, Sonoma Garden Park, and in the classroom with Sonoma Ecology Center and my peers. 

I’m currently working for a B.S. in Biochemistry, hoping to create sustainable alternatives for plastics, fabrics, and foods using macromolecules and algae. After my first few semesters of college, I returned to Sonoma Ecology Center to volunteer at the Harvest Festival, and learned about SEC’s Educator role. I feel so lucky to have the job that I do now. Being an Educator at SEC means I get to bring excitement to the classroom, and talk about some of my favorite subjects. My favorite part of my role is seeing students get excited about nature, science, and learning. I love to encourage their curiosity of the natural world—just like I was once that excited student, eagerly waiting to dissect a salmon, or explore the outdoors. 

Outside of Sonoma Ecology Center, I’m also a longtime employee at the Challenge Sonoma Ropes Course, which invites people to jump out of their comfort zones and experientially learn about themselves and the people around them through a series of ropes challenges. I love to be outside and climb mountains, rocks, and trees! I also enjoy opportunities where I can practice speaking Spanish. Additionally, my family has a history as educators in Sonoma. My mother, Brandy Melendy, is a 5th grade teacher at El Verano. She’s been teaching Sonoma’s youth for 25 years, following my grandfather, Steve Larimore’s teaching legacy at Altimira Middle School for 35 years. 

I appreciate how accessible Sonoma Ecology Center is to the community and the students of Sonoma County, and I am grateful for this opportunity to work with Sonoma’s educators and youth.

In addition to delivering hands-on science education in elementary and middle school classrooms through our Watershed Education Program, Emma will be helping connect young people to the outdoors this Summer as a Science Camp Educator. Learn more about our Summer Science Camp offerings below.