Holly Strand Executive Director

Growing up in the lap of the Colorado Rockies gave Holly a love and appreciation for nature. Over twenty years of professional travel to faraway places with unique habitats and endemic species has deepened that appreciation. A geographer by training, Holly received her master’s degree from the University of Colorado and studied biogeography at University of California in Santa Barbara. Before coming to Stokes Nature Center, Holly spent ten years with World Wildlife Fund as a technical advisor to overseas offices in Eurasia, Africa and South America. She led numerous tours to nature reserves in Russia, Mongolia and Ecuador for World Wildlife Fund and other non-profits. She arrived in Logan in 2005 and is excited to be in a position to work with other local citizens to improve access to nature education in Cache Valley. Her role at the SNC is to secure the resources necessary to fulfill its mission and to help the Center expand to meet the growing need for field science education and experiential learning in our schools and community. Like many others in the valley, Holly enjoys hiking and skiing. She loves foreign languages, spicy food, esoteric films and vows to become a gardener in spite of the fact that plants wilt when she walks by. She and her husband Chuck live in Providence with daughter Lena.

Annalisa Paul Director of Operations

Annalisa Paul grew up in the Salt Lake area. She developed an appreciation of nature early in life by trekking around with her parents and brothers – hiking, camping, and playing in the community parks. Anna graduated from the University of Utah with an Honors Bachelor of Arts. She majored in Environmental Studies and a minored in Mathematics. Anna gained many skills and experience through her internships with the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance and the Utah State Energy Program and through her job at the Humane Society of Utah. She is excited to have the opportunity to use her skills to help support the educational programs that Stokes Nature Center provides.

Andrea Liberatore Teacher/Lead Naturalist

Andrea Liberatore grew up mostly in rural Wisconsin where she had pets ranging from your typical cats and dogs to sheep, cows, and horses. Her passion for nature was inherited from a plant-loving mother and an animal-loving father. She has a Master of Science degree in Natural Resources and Environment from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. Previous experience includes research on place-based education for the U.S. Forest Service, organic gardening education through a botanical garden in Michigan, research on toxins in household products, and a stint as a dendrochronologist (one who reads tree rings). She also spent two years living in South Africa with her husband, Adam, as an education volunteer for the U.S. Peace Corps. Andrea is excited to be in Logan, teaching and learning about the area's beautiful natural treasures.

Pam Riffe Bookkeeper