INSTRUCTORS
SAVANNAH BOIANO is the education director for the Sequoia Field Institute. As a Sierra Nevada naturalist of 18 years she enjoys collecting stories through awesome on-trail and off-trail experiences. You can catch her teaching about flowers, skiing, watching stars, teaching Parks and USACE Lake Kaweah history, playing nature games with kids and families, exploring giant sequoia groves in new and unique ways. She proudest of her time backpacking the Pacific Crest Trail, working with her fellow Instructors and Crystal Cave naturalists, and in working in America’s second oldest national park. Her favorite word is “connect".
PAUL BISCHOFF has lived and worked in Sequoia National Park for over 15 years. He has been a cross-country and backcountry ski instructor for ten seasons and has lived and worked in the backcountry for six summers. This gives him a great understanding of what this park has to offer. He is currently the owner and operator of Sequoia Sightseeing Tours. 
TARA HOSTNIK is a California transplant from New England. Since graduating from Saint Michael’s College in Vermont she has worked as an educator for an Americorps program, High Trails Outdoor Science School, Hidden Villa Farm and Crystal Cave in Sequoia National Park. Addicted to the outdoor world, she finds true passion in working with people and especially children. If she’s not on the mountain strapped to her telemark skiis, you will probably find her running on the trail, riding her bike, climbing a rock, paddling a lake or simply digging in the dirt.
For over 2,000 Park miles RICK MITCHELL has been EdVenturing with the estimable senior naturalist, Jim Warner. Rick has a fond appreciation and knowledge of Parks history, a keen eye for photography, appreciation of a backpack well packed, and fun group adventures. With limited time away from his other life, Rick chooses trips that truly ARE the backcountry highlights of these Parks. Join him for a “walk in the park.”
RETTA NIDAY is not a naturalist. She’ll never hike the John Muir Trail and doesn’t intend to ever climb Mt. Whitney. But she DOES know about delicious, memory-making campground cooking. As an employee of SNHA, she suggests this class every year. Then one day it occurred to her, “Hey I CAN teach that!” So here she is. She has been a Girl Scout Leader and is a lifetime Girl Scout. She has wonderful memories of campfire meals with her family and then later with her Girl Scout troops. Let her show you some fun and easy secrets to great campfire cooking.
STEPHANIE STRICKLAND has spent the majority of her eighteen years in Three Rivers exploring the foothills and Sierra Nevada Mountains on bike, boat, foot, ski and snowshoe. She is a certified California educator with 15 years of classroom experience and a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School's (NOLS) Outdoor Educator backpacking course. She is skilled at igniting the spark of wonder in learners both young and young at heart. Stephanie is an experienced naturalist and guide, a Leave No Trace Trainer and a Wilderness First Responder. She has spent more than seven years leading EdVentures in both the backcountry and front country of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Stephanie is passionate about sharing with others the splendor of the parks. She believes strongly that through education grows appreciation and through appreciation comes protection.
DR. WILLIAM TWEED, PhD has been exploring Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks for more than forty years. A writer, historian and naturalist, he spent 28 years as a ranger at both parks, rising ultimately to serve as the Chief Parks Naturalist. He has written extensively about the parks. His titles include Challenge of the Big Trees, Sequoia and Kings Canyon: Story Behind the Scenery, Kaweah Remembered, A Place for Wonder and Uncertain Path. Dr. Tweed holds a PhD in history.