I'm an oceanographer by training, but I enjoy all aspects of natural history, especially birds and herps. Now that I'm retired from NOAA I'm looking forward to spending more time playing in nature. I have a couple of dogs, but more importantly, a couple of grandsons. They are just getting old enough that I've started teaching them the joy of finding things under logs!
I'm a mostly retired photographer and I love to teach photography, lead workshops and tours around the country, and to England. Before pursuing my passion as a freelance photographer 20 years ago, I was a corporate trainer, Train the Trainer Facilitator, and later, Dept Chair at a college in Southern California. My wife and I have three rescue cats: Lizzie the Russian Blue, Cobie the Snowshoe, and Maddie the Moggie. I love being outdoors and recently became a Natural History Interpretation Docent for CCPRC as an Alligator Ambassador and Bald Eagle Ambassador.
I serve as the Director of Parks and Recreation for the Town of Summerville. Before my current position I was employed by Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission. I live in Ridgeville, SC with my husband, 3 children, and many animals including goats and chickens.
As Membership Chair of my 3rd grade "Matchbox Car Club" (there were four members), I feel more than qualified to take on the role as your new Membership Chair! I have been a life long advocate for playing outdoors, going on field trips, and anything that involves education outside of a classroom. While my children found this fun when they were younger, they have learned to be more hesitant when Mom says "we are going on a field trip!" I am currently employed by Charleston County Parks as the Stewardship Aide for the Natural History Interpretation team. I am always looking for new volunteers as our program is rapidly growing!
I have been working in various roles in the environmental field for about 8 years and enjoy learning anything I can about everything related to natural history. I earned my Masters in Environmental Studies from the College of Charleston and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay, where I taught environmental education and English to students. I am a retired collegiate softball player who still enjoys playing slow pitch in my free time, along with travelling, cuddling my dog and exploring Charleston with my friends.
I graduated from the Coastal Master Naturalist program in the spring of 2019. I volunteer as a CCPRC Natural History Interpreter and I've participated in Oyster Reef Restoration and litter clean-ups. I'm 14 years away from retirement, which has been my goal since I was a small child. At that time, I plan to devote all my time to being outdoors.
I have been an avid birder for many years and I enjoy RVing and spending time outdoors in new places. I spend a fair amount of time woodworking in my garage shop, and the highlight of any day is spending time with my grandkids, especially if we are exploring the natural world.
I'm a former windsurfer and retired patent attorney with a long-haired Siberian cat and a home workshop where I've been trying t create a 1950's racecar, just for fun.
I'm recently interested in herbalism, especially using locally available plants (native and naturalized). I like snakes, and I have chickens, and I'm always available for a directionless ramble in nature!
Kristina Wheeler holds the role of Natural History Interpretation Specialist for the Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission. She has been working professionally as a naturalist along the eastern seaboard for over twenty years, from the Lowcountry of South Carolina down to Belize, Central America. Kristina is an American Canoe Association Level II Coastal Kayak Instructor, Coastal Master Naturalist, and Certified Interpretive Guide with the National Association of Interpretation. In her spare time, Kristina loves to travel to new places to go camping, mountain biking, hiking and paddling.
To contact a Board member, email: info@CoastalMasterNaturalists.org
Events Committee Chair - Nora Futtrell & Dave Eslinger
Contact: info@coastalmasternaturalists.org
Events Committee Members: Christine Magnarella Ray, Nora Futrell, Kristina Wheeler
Communications Committee Chair - Colin Hocking
Contact: info@coastalmasternaturalists.org
Communications Committee Members: Christine Magnarella Ray, Laura Bridgeman, Kristina Wheeler