River Bend Nature Center Staff

Brad is a lifelong outdoor enthusiast. Prior to joining RBNC, Brad served as Vice President of Phyllis Wheatley Community Center and has served as a Commissioner on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board for the last 12 years. Outside of his work with Phyllis Wheatley Community Center and the Minneapolis Park Board, Brad brings more than 15 years of experience in non-profit leadership with place-based organizations, including connecting youth and underserved communities to the outdoors, arts, and other restorative experiences. He holds a master’s degree in nonprofit administration and also brings significant fundraising experience to the role.

Favorite Animal: his dog, Frank

Favorite Book: The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid by: Pat Garrett

Grants: Brad oversees all grants.

Brittany is originally from Elgin, a small town in southeastern Minnesota.  She attended Winona State University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Ecology. Brittany served two years with Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa and worked five years with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division. Her favorite part of being a naturalist is sharing her experiences and teaching others about natural resources. Brittany and her husband reside in Northfield with their dog and cat. In her spare time, she likes to spend time with family, go hiking, and camping.

Favorite Animal: Timber Rattlesnake

Favorite Book: Nicholas Sparks Books

Grants Managed: Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grants; MPCA Wood Waste Utilization Grant; Grant In Aid Ski Grant

smith@rbnc.org

Arch comes to River Bend with more than a decade of professional experience working in BIPOC and traditionally marginalized communities to connect people with the resources and opportunities they need to live their lives to their greatest potential. Some of her most recent and relevant experience includes serving as a STEM (Science, Technology. Engineering, and Math) Senior Program Manager for the Science Museum of Minnesota, Career Pathways Program Manager for HIRED - one of Minnesota’s largest employment and career services organizations, and was an inaugural leader in the establishment of the Minneapolis Northside STEM District - a multi-jurisdictional service collaborative designed to help close academic and career achievement gaps in Minneapolis between whites and people of color.

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Grants Managed: DEED Transformative Career Pathways (TCP); Growing Tomorrow Tree Care Professionals (GTTCP); Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR)- Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF); National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA); DEED Pathways to Prosperity Bridge (P2P)

Molly is originally from the Twin Cities, but lived in Chicago while attending Loyola University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science.  She has worked for multiple organizations such as Three Rivers Park District, City of Richfield’s Wood Lake Nature Center, and Minneapolis Parks and Recreation. Her favorite part of being a naturalist is getting people excited about being outdoors and learning about nature. She is currently attending Hamline University for a Masters of Education in Natural Science and Environmental Education. In her spare time, she likes to try new restaurants, go kayaking or hiking.

Favorite Animal: River Otter

Favorite Book: Harry Potter Series

Grants Managed: MN Historical Society; Rice County State Health Improvement Project (SHIP) Grants;

Katy grew up in Madelia, MN, a small town southwest of Mankato. She has an Associate’s degree in Commercial and Technical Art from South Central College and a Bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Katy was a volunteer at the Minnesota Zoo for five years and had an internship working on the Minnesota and Tropics trails. She especially loved working with the sloths and porcupines. Her favorite part of being a naturalist is teaching others about nature and fostering an appreciation for the outdoors. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her husband, taking her dog on hikes, and wildlife watching.

Favorite Animal: Owls

Favorite Book: Kaufman Field Guide to Nature of the Midwest

Kate grew up in Northfield spending most of her time running feral climbing trees and riding her bicycle.  Spending time outside quickly became a passion.  She holds a bachelor in Animal Ecology and Environmental Studies from Iowa State University and a Master of Science Education from Minnesota State University.  She teaches biology part time at MSU and is a taxi driver for her children. Her favorite part of being a Naturalist is seeing how excited people get when they find or learn something new outside.  In her free time, she likes to garden, read books and pet her kitties.

Favorite Animal: Cat

Favorite Book: How could anyone chose just one?!  Historical fiction is currently my favorite

Randy describes himself as an “art nerd and nature fan”.

Favorite Animal: Red Panda

Favorite Books: The "Discworld" series

Urban Community Forestry Placement

Keigan grew up in Burnsville, MN, exploring the small patch of woods in the backyard. He remembers climbing over giant fallen trees, finding hidey holes, and stumbling upon a deceased deer with his friend. He attended college at the University of Minnesota Duluth and finished his degree at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology. At River Bend he is serving a Community and Urban Forestry term in the Conservation Corps, teaching kiddos and planting trees! In his free time he enjoys hiking, video games, and being a terrible DJ, and he wants to go camping in a Scamp some day.

Favorite animal: Raccoon
Favorite book: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir