Vanessa Lopez
Assistant Instructor
Vanessa is an educator and naturalist with a passion for turning students’ curiosity into hearts for conservation. With over a decade of experience—from leading trail rides and marine science explorations to guiding chemistry and algebra classes—she strives to make learning hands-on, motivating, fun, and a little bit magical. She loves helping students build lasting connections to the environment that will inspire them to understand and protect the natural world.
When she’s not teaching, you’ll find Vanessa exploring state and national parks, snorkeling and kayaking along the coast, and fostering kittens until they find their forever homes—always seeking to live out her belief that curiosity, compassion, and care for our planet are lessons worth sharing.