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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, IT 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 am a Natural History Interpretation Docent for CCPRC as an Alligator Ambassador and Bald Eagle Ambassador, and teach photography classes for the Statewide MN program.
I'm also on the board of the Audubon Charleston Natural History Society fulfilling the role of Vice President.
I am relatively new to the Charleston area, relocating from New York in late 2022. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and I recently earned my certificate in Horticulture Therapy from New York Botanical Gardens. For the last few years, I worked in a NYC park creating environmental programming for the community and local schools. I graduated from the master naturalist program in the spring of 2023 and look forward to engaging in many different volunteer opportunities and exploring my new home state.
I spent almost 20 years living in Botswana, working out in the bush; often in remote areas of the Okavango Delta. After growing weary with the demands of tourism, I established a bookkeeping company, serving as primary bookkeeper for multiple clients. About 5 years ago, I relocated from Botswana to South Carolina, bringing 2 domestic cats and my beloved Staffordshire Terrier Blaze. I continue to work in bookkeeping, both locally and remotely for a variety of clients. As a lifelong nature enthusiast I was thrilled to get one of the coveted spots for the CMNA spring class of 2023. I enjoy travel, wildlife photography, hiking, gardening and birdwatching.
I am a native of Tennessee but established a home here in Charleston in 2022 after retiring from my practice of Internal Medicine in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. When not exploring the woods or volunteering in local community gardens, I spend time in my own garden growing vegetables and native plants. I also help care for my grandchildren here through the week, and travel to Little Rock, Arkansas to be with my grandchildren there at least once per month. When not caring for babies or growing things, I enjoy metalsmithing in my home studio, exercising , running with my Australian Shepard , and playing Mah Jongg with friends.
I am a Charleston native that grew up doing all the low country things – water skiing, boating, fishing, and anything nature related. I love where I live. On the weekends, you can find me playing with my cat, gardening, hiking with my husband or kayaking. With my strong passion for the outdoors I have earned a SC Certified Landscape Professional certification from Clemson Extension, Master Naturalist Class of 2021 and Certified Beekeeper. I love creating pollinator friendly habitats for bees, and yes, I wear those crazy bee suits…
After moving to Charleston County from Massachusetts in 2020, completing the Master Naturalist program became a wonderful introduction to the natural beauty and diverse ecosystems of the Low Country. As a retired teacher, I enjoy contributing to the development of youth programs on the ACDC committee and volunteering as a Bald Eagle and Osprey Ambassador. As a Master Gardener, I love adding native plants around the yard, observing the abundant wildlife it supports, and participating in the Landscape Design Study Program. My husband Tom and I enjoy traveling, playing golf, and spending time with our family.
I am a native Kentuckian and initially found my way to South Carolina as an undergraduate student at Furman University. While I planned to pursue a career in medicine, I realized just how much an understanding of science enhanced my love of the natural world. I even had a back-up plan of a degree in Ornithology if the whole medicine thing did not work out! I also developed an interest in photography and thought I'd combine my interests and become a nature photographer as a hobby. Well, after 45 years of serving in the US Army and academic medical practice, I retired from MUSC, moved to Edisto Island with my amazing wife Kelly, and decided I better get started on that hobby! The Fates looked kindly on me at that point, and I found myself enrolled in the Spring 2024 MN class and simultaneously a student of Colin Hocking. So, I am blessed to be able to continue learning science, lose myself in nature, teach (and hopefully inspire) others, and learn the art and science of photography. Could it get any better?!
My interests have been in "tree hugging" and gardening. Being a Certified Beekeeper and Master Gardener, Master Naturalist seemed a stretch, until I realized I was constantly rubbing elbows with the group.
Being associated with you all since spring 2014 has been inspiring. I easily took trips to the various offerings of the program through the state, satisfying my passion for information on all things flora and fauna, etc. was a real joy.
Then came a call from Dr. Blake to send my badge in for the State jewel. This was a pleasant surprise since I was not aware of its existence.
Quite a bit of time is spent with SCDNR volunteering as a Fishing Instructor with their Family Fishing Clinics.
Sums up as TreeHugger, Beekeeper, Master Gardener, Master Naturalist Oh! and ex Yankee.
I’ve lived in Mount Pleasant since 2015, the longest I’ve ever lived anywhere. I have a background in public health research and data science, and a knack for turning complex ideas into more accessible stories. A Fall 2025 graduate of the Master Naturalist program, I enjoy bird walks and beach walks and sharing what I learn with others.
A resident of Folly Beach for over 10yrs, I have been dedicated to raising my children for the past 26 yrs. A life long lover and learner of the natural world. As a Gardner/landscaper in Charleston, I am able to continually grow my knowledge and practice in Native plants and their benefits to the wildlife and the soil.
This year will be my 10th year as a volunteer for the Folly Beach Turtle Team and I'm on the ACDC Committee .
In my spare time I enjoy walks on beach, watching nature, surfing, skating, biking and playing of all kinds.
Debbie Seabrook graduated Master Naturalist class in Fall of 2015. She came to a love of nature through many lenses; none of them traditional. Obtaining a BA in Philosophy from College of Charleston and a MA in Social Science from the Citadel. She was a tour carriage driver, an Avon salesperson, a police officer for 25 years, a yoga teacher, a leader for nature meditations and has worked at Caw Caw Interpretive Center since 2018. During her Master Naturalist class she began to understand all the connections and extraordinary interdependency of all of nature - which (surprisingly) includes humans! And it all stems from plants (pun intended). The plants eat light, they inhale our exhales and they exhale what we need to inhale. It’s amazing! She loves walking around in nature, sharing and absorbing all the glimmers that it offers.
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.
Born and raised at the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina, I was always mesmerized by water and wildlife. My parents encouraged me to know what I was looking at...or picking up, instead of just saying it was a frog or a red bird, etc. So, I had many field guides and a camera for reference photos, in my hand, at a young age. My love for animals sparked an interest in veterinary medicine and I attended Clemson University and obtained a degree in Animal and Veterinary Sciences. While studying cows, pigs, horses, and chickens, I learned that I loved helping others understand more about animals. This led me to pursue a career in informal education/interpretation, which eventually guided me to my current position at Charleston County Parks.
To contact a Board member, email: info@CoastalMasterNaturalists.org
Events Committee Chair - Nicki Turano
Contact: info@coastalmasternaturalists.org
Communications Committee Chair - Sarah Arnold
Contact: info@coastalmasternaturalists.org
ACDC Committee Chair - Amy Evans
Contact: info@coastalmasternaturalists.org
Volunteer Co-Ordinator
Contact: Caroline Heape, CCPRC Recreation Aide at caroline.heape@ccprc.com