Who We Are
Nurture Nature Center (NNC) is a joint project of two nonprofits with a shared name and purpose: the Nurture Nature Center Inc. (NNC, Inc.), formed in 2007 and headquartered in Easton, Pennsylvania, and Nurture Nature Foundation (NNF) created in 1991 and headquartered in New York City. NNF maintains a separate website that summarizes all of its projects, including NNC, and its leadership is described there. The leadership of the NNC, Inc. is described below.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jane K. Stanley is an attorney with over thirty years of legal and financial experience involving tax exempt organizations. She is an honors graduate of Columbia Law School and Harvard and a Fulbright Scholar.
Rachel Hogan Carr is a social scientist with a master’s degree in environmental policy design from Lehigh University, who has been a community leader in the Lehigh Valley for many years and has recently gained national recognition for her work at NNC. A summary of her background is included below.
Nicholas Zumas is a lawyer who lives in Bethlehem and has practiced law there since 1975. He attended Lehigh University and has a masters of law degree from New York University, and a J.D. from Dickinson School of Law. Zumas has dedicated significant legal and financial expertise over the years to help a number of local nonprofits.
SENIOR STAFF
Executive Director
Rachel Hogan Carr is the Executive Director of the Nurture Nature Center. She holds a master’s degree in environmental policy design from Lehigh University, where she focused her research on improving flood risk communication through social science. Rachel helped to found NNC, and prior to that, worked as a community organizer and in urban real estate development. She has served as principal investigator on several flood-related research and education projects in partnership with National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In 2011, Rachel was named Distinguished Informal Science Educator of the Year by the American Meteorological Society. She serves on the boards and leadership teams of several local organizations, including the Easton Hunger Coalition and Karl Stirner Arts Trail, Inc. She also serves on professional advisory boards including: National Weather Service Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center’s Customer Advisory Board; Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Residual Risk Subcommittee of the Technical Mapping Advisory Committee; State College Weather Forecast Office Integrated Weather Impacts Team. She has been active in Easton civic initiatives, including as a co-founder of the Downtown Neighborhood Association. Rachel is a Certified Floodplain Manager.
Science Director
Kathryn Semmens is the Science Director of the Nurture Nature Center. She holds a Ph.D. in environmental and earth sciences from Lehigh University, along with a master’s degree in marine policy from the University of Delaware and a bachelor of science in environmental studies from Ursinus College. Kathryn was employed previously as a postdoctoral associate at the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture and has also worked for the Pew Environment Group in Washington, D.C. Her awards include a NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship for doctoral research, a Udall Environmental Scholarship and a EPA Greater Research Opportunity Fellowship for her undergraduate studies. Kathryn’s interests focus on the nexus of science, policy, and community. Her responsibilities at NNC are to help advance the organization’s outreach efforts on scientific and environmental issues generally, with a special emphasis on floods, climate change, and social science research.
Art Director
Keri Maxfield, Art Director of the Nurture Nature Center, has been working in the visual arts for over 25 years. She received her BFA with a double concentration in Studio Art from Kutztown University. Keri’s work ranges from the creative to the highly technical. She is skilled in design and visual communication of scientific data and social messaging. As Art Director, Keri is in charge of supervising and unifying the visual arts and arts education components of the Nurture Nature Center in accordance with its mission. She coordinates art exhibits in the building’s four gallery spaces and oversees the visual interpretation of science content both at center and its grant projects. She is part of NNC’s social science research team, studying projects focusing on environmental risk messaging, including NOAA/NWS product design. Her interests lie in the overlap between art, science and society and she has managed eight grants through the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts that engage local artists and community members in creating visual art in response to local environmental issues.
Development Director
Kim Kmetz joined the Nurture Nature Center staff in August 2024 as the Development Director.
In this new position in the organization, she will build the development function and expand community and philanthropic support for all NNC projects and programs. Kim is looking forward to spearheading development efforts as NNC continues to grow.
Kim has over 20 years of experience in non-profit management and community development initiatives. She holds a B.S. degree from Thomas Jefferson University with a major in Textile Management and Marketing. Kim began her career as a sales and account representative for two major textile firms in New York City. She then spent 11 years as a full-time mother. Although it seems that Kim was born with a passion for community relationship building and pulling people together, it was during those years as a full-time mother that she developed her love for Easton and its people through her volunteer involvement in community activities. She saw first-hand the positive impact that volunteering and community engagement can have on our families, neighborhoods, and environment. It is through these connections with the community that people truly grow to love where they live and honor that place.
Kim returned to the workforce in 2002 as the Manager of Volunteer Resources for Easton Heritage Alliance and The 1753 Bachmann Publick House in downtown Easton.
In 2006, Kim took on the role of Main Street Manager at the Easton Main Street Initiative, a program of the Greater Easton Development Partnership. She oversaw and guided more than 100 volunteers who worked toward strengthening and revitalizing Easton’s central business district, applying the Four Point Approach of the Main Street program. Easton Main Street Initiative was named the #1 performing Main Street program in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2009, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
She served on the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) from 2008 through 2014 and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Keystone Core Services, a subsidiary of the PDC. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Easton Business Association and The Village on College Hill, an aging-in-place organization. Kim is the chairperson of the College Hill PorchFest Committee and the Live in Nevin Park concert series planning committee.
Director, Buy Fresh Buy Local – Greater Lehigh Valley
Megan McBride is Director of NNC’s Buy Fresh Buy Local – Greater Lehigh Valley (BFBLGLV) program. In her role she works to promote, educate, and communicate about the local food economy and connect it to the broader environmental mission of NNC. Megan has over 20 years of experience in community development and local food systems. She earned an associate of science degree in Advertising Design from Northampton Community College and applied her love for design and marketing to a retail business that she owned and operated for 14 years on Easton’s College Hill. While operating her business, Megan became active in the community, spearheading special events, streetscape projects and environmental initiatives. Later, as Assistant Manager for the Easton Main Street Initiative Megan played a key role in the City’s revitalization. Recognizing the power of local food to transform a community, she transitioned to Easton Market District Director and built the Easton Farmers’ Market into one of the most successful markets in the country, implementing a market-wide SNAP program, a night market, and a winter market. She was a leader in the development of the Highmark Farmstand and Easton Public Market, and operated an array of major food festivals, culinary events and nutrition and food access programs. Most recently she launched the West Ward Market. Megan has a passion for local food and farms and believes they are essential to growing a healthy community.
Accounting/Bookkeeping
Kelly Neetz has been working in the Accounting Field for more than 15 years. Her extensive experience ranges from handling the day to day accounting operations of a $30 million company to providing payroll and other financial accounting services for a group of twenty companies simultaneously. She has a degree in accounting from DeSales University. Kelly volunteers her free time for an organization dedicated to helping families impacted by the critical illness of a child, for which she creates custom cakes and other special treats.
PROGRAM STAFF
Senior Educator
Jeff Mucklin, NNC’s Senior Educator, graduated from Northampton Community College with a degree in journalism and a focus on science communication. Before working at NNC, he organized public science demonstrations on topics of popular interest, such as the chemistry of fireworks. At NNC, Jeff is a Science on a Sphere docent and helps develop programs for the Sphere, along with other educational programs. He also works at the National Canal Museum in Easton as a science educator.
Assistant Science Educator
Henry Skirbst, Assistant Science Educator, has three decades of experience teaching middle school science and a variety of diverse skills and interests. A published author and presenter of local environmental topics, he has a passion for the protection and preservation of the resources within the Delaware River watershed. From serving on the Lower Delaware Task Force Committee to working as a Teacher-Ranger with the NPS at the Delaware Water Gap, his commitment to our region is evident. Henry earned his Master’s degree in Geography from Rutgers University focusing on the physical and cultural resources of the Delaware. Prior to teaching, he worked as an environmental scientist performing groundwater remediation across the region as well as volunteering on his local environmental commission. Henry is excited to promote a love of our natural resources through awareness, appreciation, and action.
Assistant Arts Educator
Ashley Foster, Assistant Arts Educator, is originally from Harrisburg. Ashley graduated from Kutztown University with a BFA in Painting, then returned and acquired her Art Education Certification. She taught K-12 Art for 7 years, and for 6 years worked as a farmer on a local organic produce and pasture-raised egg production farm. Ever since she was a child she was fascinated by nature, and grew up birdwatching with her grandmother, who helped further instill that love and appreciation. That childhood curiosity continued on, and emerged in her art throughout college and beyond. Ashley recently had two prints displayed in a group art show at Lehigh Gap Nature Center. She is a native plant enthusiast, enjoys cooking, hiking, reading, learning new skills, live music shows, art-making, and being outdoors. She is excited to utilize her uniquely blended background to contribute and grow with NNC!
Project Specialist
Lauren Fosbenner is the Project Specialist at the Nurture Nature Center. She holds a master’s degree in environmental policy design from Lehigh University and has completed extensive graduate coursework in social science research methods, climate change, and environmental justice. Lauren’s role at NNC is to assist with developing, planning, and implementing various grants and projects. She is energized by the Lehigh Valley’s strong sense of community and rich natural environment, and she is excited to work on community-driven approaches to environmental challenges in this region and beyond!
Research Specialist
Patrick Painter is the Research Specialist at the Nurture Nature Center. He holds a master’s degree in Environmental Policy Design from Lehigh University, and a bachelor’s degree in International and Area Studies with a certification in Global Engagement from the University of Oklahoma. During his academic journey, Patrick focused his studies and research on global climate change and sustainable development, and had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in Arezzo, Italy where he interned with the city’s Department of Governance, Innovation, and EU Policies. At NNC, Patrick will help with social science research efforts. Patrick is excited to explore the human-nature relationship through NNC’s research efforts, a topic of interest that he credits to his time as a Youth Ambassador for NNC’s CREATE Resilience project, and as a Community Fellow for NNC.
Program Assistant
Liesel Dreisbach, NNC’s program coordinator, has been a Penn State Extension educator for nearly 25 years, first in youth development (4-H) and later in community and economic development with a focus on helping non-profits improve their sustainability. She has also been a high school classroom history teacher in New York City as well as Palestine. Liesel holds a masters degree in teaching. She is a member of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. Gardening is her avocation.
Urban Gardening Program Coordinator
Pam Ruch is in charge of NNC’s Urban Recycle Garden, a stunning display case of the potential for such gardens in urban areas. She has a masters of environmental science and a degree in horticulture as well as years of experience working with volunteers and interns and organizing garden-related events for the Morven Museum & Garden. Ruch has also managed test gardens for Organic Gardening magazine and worked with the farm-to-table restaurant at the historic Glasbern Inn in Fogelsville. She writes for several online and print organizations, including the Home Garden Seed Association. Ruch has been a presenter at NNC’s series on the Art of Journaling and now maintains a blog and website on that topic at Artofnaturejournaling.com.
Resident Artist
Nurture Nature Center Resident Artist Tom Maxfield is an illustrator and naturalist. Originally from Western Pennsylvania, Tom spent his youth exploring the countryside. Tom studied art at Marywood University and was a high school art teacher for 28 years. He is an accomplished illustrator and potter. He does work with a focus on environmental education such as NNC’s Living Local Teaching Mural that illustrates over 80 environmental situations. Tom’s love of the environment expanded into other projects like serving as an official on local governmental boards. He helped to initiate the Open Space Program and to establish the EAC (Environmental Advisory Council) in Lower Saucon Township, PA. He lives in the rural area of Lower Saucon with his wife, Keri and still enjoys exploring the countryside.
BUILDING STAFF
Angel Ortiz, Facilities Coordinator, is responsible for building management.
VOLUNTEERS
We are always looking for volunteers to help out with our community events. We need volunteers for the following:
- Front Desk Greeter
- Boy Scout/Girl Scout Visit Assistant
- Docents for Science on a Sphere Programs
- Table Facilitators During Community Dialogue Forums
- Community Outreach Events/Easton Farmers’ Market Booth/Festival Booths
Interns
If you are interested in an internship at the Nurture Nature Center, please contact our Executive Director Rachel Hogan Carr, at 610-253-4432 or rhogan@nurturenature.org.