NINPA BOD members will:
- Be an active member of the NINPA community through participation in member meetings (~2-3 in person each year), BOD meetings (~4-5 virtual meetings per year), committees, special events, and trainings.
- Continually advance nature pedagogy through research, observation and participation in a variety of activities such as webinars, conferences and symposiums that involve best practices in nature-based early childhood education.
- Support and encourage fellow educators through dialogue, collaboration and the sharing of resources and ideas.
- Encourage others to make nature-based learning available to all children though accessible spaces, tools, materials, representation for all children.
- Promote the field of nature-based learning in early childhood education.
2025-2026 Board of Directors
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| President Cara Ruffo (she/her) Nature Program Coordinator Park Ridge Park District | Vice President Sean Shaffer Nature Engagement Specialist Chicago Park District | Treasurer Beth Wilson M.S.Ed (she/her) Director Hobson School | Secretary Margie Pines Founder and Director Ta’am Teva |
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| NINPA Founder Megan Gessler M.Ed. (she/her) Little Explorers | Marji O’Leary Teacher Flossmoor Community Church Weekday Preschool | Audrey Todd (they/them) Executive Director Wonder Woods Chicago |
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| Marilyn Brink, M.Ed. Nature-based Learning Consultant | Molly Kowalski (she/her) Nature Program Coordinator Park Ridge Park District | Kate Hutchins Spectator to Amazement Wildflower Nature Preschool |
| Lindsay Maldonado, Ph.D. (she/her) Assistant Professor Early Childhood Education Northeastern Illinois University | Amy Ewaldt | Laura Scheinholtz |
Northern Illinois Nature Play Association 