Administrative and Operations Staff
Nicole Croke, Operations and Facilities Director
Nicole grew up in a small town in Western Massachusetts where they spent their days exploring the woods, playing with bugs, and helping their parents in the gardens. After graduating from Smith College where they studied Biodiversity, Ecology, and Conservation, Nicole moved West to Wyoming and spent a period of time working as a rangeland ecologist. Captivated by the vast stretches of public lands and the novel ecosystems of the West, Nicole abandoned all plans of moving back to New England and eventually settled in Moab, Utah. After years spent doing logistics for boat-based restoration crews, Nicole developed a deep love for the riparian ecosystems of the Colorado Plateau. These days Nicole spends their free time rafting, gardening, backpacking, reading, and making art. Nicole believes that forming a meaningful connection with nature is vital for both the health of our planet and the health of the human spirit. They are excited for the opportunity to contribute to an organization that will help these connections grow.
Paula Curtis, Commissary Manager
Paula is looking forward to making sure every CFI participant is full and happy throughout their adventure!
Misha Fuller, Office Manager
Michele Jordan Johnson, Executive Director
A West-side Detroit Street that ended with a cul de sac and a 20 acre park provided endless exploration for Michele while growing up, and led to abundant questions, thoughts, and theories about flora and fauna. Spending her summers in Battle Creek Michigan with a gardening and fishing grandmother, taking Sunday family drives across the border to Windsor, Canada to adventure in the outdoors, endless hours captivated by the Diego Rivera series of frescoes at the Detroit Institute of Arts, and camping trips just below the Upper Peninsula all led to Michele’s passion in scientific discovery and public health advocacy. From Detroit to Ann Arbor to Honolulu to Salt Lake City to the ultimate journey to Moab, Michele has experienced a diverse landscape of people, flora, fauna, and Joy. Prior to settling here in Moab, she was Director and Biosafety Specialist at the University of Utah in occupational and environmental health and safety as well as emergency management. Her professional career began as a specialist at the University of Hawaii in laboratory and agricultural health and safety. Michele received her BS in Botany from the University of Michigan and Masters in Public Health from the University of Hawaii. Always an advocate for making a difference in the lives of our planet’s youth, she has followed the philosophy of “Each one Reach one” and spent many years mentoring the young people in her life. CFI's mission to guide youth and adults to an emotional connection to the landscape and self in wild places fulfills Michele's purpose for being and becoming in Moab.
Amir Najam, Camp Caretaker
Amir has been supporting the CFI mission since 2018 - serving as a guide, naturalist, educator, cook, and is now the Professor Valley Field Camp caretaker. His curiosity/tism has taken him all over the West: free diving Hawaiian reefs, rowing and SUP'n the rivers of the Southwest and Midwest, skiing up/down/and across any snow left, ice climbing and camping in -40, climbing and canyoneering Sierra granite and yet this greying goat is more excited than ever to return to MOAB. His current projects orbit around guiding within the BIPOC and AuADHD communities, composing music, and making the big push to solo aid climb C1-C2 big wall.
Shelby Rockelein, Development Director
After a two-day sojourn in Utah while escaping the smoke from Oregon’s wildfires in 2020, Shelby resolved to make Moab her next home base. With a degree in anthropology and sociology from Lewis & Clark College in one hand and her dog in the other, she made the leap and was immediately embraced by small town life in the desert. After serving a year as the Fundraising Coordinator AmeriCorps VISTA for a local affordable housing nonprofit, Shelby was captivated by the mission and team behind CFI. Having spent most of her life cultivating her own passion for environmentalism, community, and red rocks, she is thrilled to be working with an exceptional group of folks doing exceptional work. When she isn’t plucking away at grants, Shelby is spending time beading earrings, searching for scorpions, and enjoying a themed meal with friends.
Emily Stavneak, Grant Writer
It took Emily five years of seasonal migrations around the western United States, several casual visits to the Colorado Plateau, and a couple of truly lucky breaks to establish her current home in Moab. Since landing here she has giddily thrown herself at any opportunity to spend time messing about in boats. Working with CFI has drawn upon Emily's years of experience as an outdoor educator and given her an outlet for the overzealous passion she has for spending quality time outside with others, which she believes everyone deserves access and invitation to. Like a riverbank, Emily's connection with CFI has evolved from one season to the next, and she is thrilled to be spending her time this year both in the field and perched at a desk advocating for the organization's needs as their Grant Writer. Emily loves a good story, quality textiles, a well-timed cup of coffee, and sea shanties.
Brett Wylder, Interim Education Director
Growing up in Northwest Arkansas, Brett spent most of his free time outdoors. Encouraged by his parents, he started early with climbing and camping which eventually led to paddling. Brett has also worked professionally in Wildland Fire and Wilderness Search and Rescue. Before coming to CFI he founded and directed an outdoor education program at a chartered high school in Arkansas and led upwards of 15 wilderness canoe trips. Brett holds a Bachelors in Media Communications and an Associates in Outdoor Recreation and Leadership as well as certifications in Wilderness Therapy. As a lover of all things public lands, he could talk your ear off about conservation, stewardship, ethics, and public land legislation. Outside of work you might run into Brett climbing, fly fishing, gravel biking or trail running with his partner and two dogs.
"Stay Stoked!"
Rachel Wootton, Marketing and Communications Director
Rachel brings experience in stewardship of natural and cultural resources, recreation, public information and outreach to her role as Marketing and Communications Director for Canyonland Lands Field Institute. She previously served as an elementary educator and has over 10 years of experience in public land planning, public information and management. She spent much of her time in government working on outreach initiatives and enjoys getting outside with others. She is passionate about creating supportive spaces for youth and helping them accomplish their roles. In her spare time, she loves neighborhood walks with her family and dog.
Program Managers
Jonah Janeway
Jonah has never felt more himself than in the vast canyonlands of the Colorado Plateau. Born and raised in Salt Lake City, he spent much of his childhood playing in Utah's abundant outdoor spaces. After studying film at the University of Utah, Jonah followed a gut instinct to move to the desert to live out of the back of his truck. He soon found a community in Moab of loving humans who helped him feel he belonged. Jonah is set on fostering a sense of belonging in the young folks he meets on the river, from all walks of life. Off the river, he loves exploring with his camera, befriending cats, and frolicking with his loved ones.
Senior Naturalist Educators
Ari Finkelstein
Ari (she/her) grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and from a young age fell in love with the beauty of natural places. Professionally, her outdoor adventures have taken her to the gorgeous forested lakes & rivers of Northern Ontario as a backcountry canoe guide, to the steep switchbacks of the Grand Canyon as a trail crew member, to the land of ten thousand lakes (Minnesota) as an outdoor skills paddling and camping instructor, and more recently to Yosemite! Ari spends her free time frolicking and singing in nature, watching desert sunsets, chasing waterfalls, being goofy, and having deep convos about social and environmental issues. She holds a B.A. in Gender Studies from Mount Holyoke College and is passionate about increasing access to outdoor spaces so that all can enjoy!
Ari is super excited to get back on the river with CFI this season! But first, a question for the people: what is your milk origin story??
First Year Naturalist Educators
Talia Frost-Belanksy
Talia is drawn to the way shared time outside builds connection with others, to nature, and to yourself. She grew up exploring the Colorado alpine, and then moved to Bellingham, WA for college where she studied Behavioral Neuroscience. She is fascinated by how the brain learns and adapts based on our experiences. She spent two seasons commercial salmon fishing in Bristol Bay, AK, and most recently worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator supporting women's health clinical trials at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR. Outside of work, she enjoys trail running, skiing, and biking. She is excited to work with young people to foster curiosity, confidence, and connection to the natural world.
Abby Main
Raised in Western Washington, Abby is a lover of rivers, books, sagebrush, roasted vegetables, and walking slowly in the forest. Growing up in and around the Cascades and Salish Sea, she witnessed the awe and curiosity that living closely with a place allows. She earned a B.A. in Anthropology from Whitman College, where she also studied Creative Writing. During those years she became fascinated with the cultural anthropology of natural spaces and environmental remediation. After college, she began working in outdoor education and K-12 classrooms between Washington, California, Wyoming, and Montana. She delights in examining the ways we relate to one another and the more-than-human world and is thrilled to build community at CFI.
Maura Reed
Maura (she/her) always had a deep love for the outdoors. She grew up in Alabama exploring the woods with her father. She went to Colorado Mountain College and then Western Colorado University where she graduated with multiple Outdoor Education and Recreation degrees. Since then she has worked many different jobs but all revolving around youth and the outdoors. Maura is so passionate about outdoor education because she feels it is the most effective and fun way to get others stoked on caring for the environment. She has first hand experience with how drastically these types of experiences can change a person and the path that they are on. Spending so much time learning, playing, challenging herself, and working with others in the outdoors has helped her grow as a person and she wants to give that experience to others. When she’s not working you will most likely find her skiing, backpacking, or maybe hacky sacking.
Jade Sulu
Seven years ago, on my first night alone in a tent by the San Juan River, I felt scared and sad. My family dropped me off earlier in the day. convincing me I was in for a treat. But, in that tent that night, I thought they sent me here as punishment for being a bad kid. I didn’t think I was a bad kid though - there were other kids there alone in tents too. I cried. However, throughout the days following I began to see it was a treat. I began to feel safe in my tent with a journal writing about my experiences, my thoughts, and feelings. I received my Junior CPR card which helped me to save my 3 year old brother choking on a grape by applying the stomach thrust, and followed up with a debriefing with my family after my mother panicked. Not only did I learn CPR, I was hooked on the river. I came back the following summer as a Swamper and I continued to learn more and more. Each summer following has been extraordinary. The team and staff have guided me with structure to create and improve confidence in myself to become a River Guide. This structure has helped me to develop and build trusting relationships and friendships for life. I learned to become an activist for a sustainable environment and for a just humanity. I acquired my Wilderness First Responder certification and am ready to take on the challenge to be in a leadership role. Seven years ago, at 13, coming off the Reservation to participate in CFI Native Guide In Training program for youth was the right decision made by my mother, a single parent, who continues to be by my side. I have four young siblings who can’t wait to grow up to experience the river. I’m ever so grateful. Thank you CFI for opening doors for me.
Native Teen Guide-in-Training Educators
The Native Teen Guide in Training Program is designed for rising 8th-12th graders through place-based outdoor education, social-emotional learning curriculum, as well as to provide accessible pathways for Native Teens to learn about guiding and natural resource career opportunities. This immersive camp helps nurture the healthy development of Native Teens by connecting them with nature through experiences like whitewater rafting, visiting cultural heritage sites, engaging in unplugged camping, and fostering community.
Shonri Begay
Yá'át'ééh! Shi ei Shonri Begay yinishyé. Táchiiʼnii nishłį, Tódich'íi'nii báshishchíín, Bilagáana dashicheii, dóó Áshįįhí dashináli. I am a Diné and Tohono O'odham farmer, outdoor educator and filmmaker. I have a B.S. in Biomedical Science with a minor in American Indian Health Studies from Northern Arizona University. I started my career in community health and STEM education which lead my passions of getting Indigenous relatives active and curious in the outdoors. I love connecting with the land through hiking, rafting and paddling, foraging wild foods, and planting the same crops as my ancestors. I have been guiding on the San Juan and Colorado River since 2021, primarily with groups of youth. I'm very proud to be part of the community of Indigenous river guides who bring cultural representation and environmental justice advocacy to the work we do on these sacred lands.
Chyenne Klemme
Shí éi Chyenne Klemme yinishyé. Béésh bicha’ii nishłį, Ta’neeszahnii báshishchíín, Norwegian dashicheii, dóó Béésh bicha’ii dashináli. Chyenne grew up in Page, AZ, with a family and community that instilled a deep care for the natural world around her. This dedication to land and people led her to Prescott College, where she received her BA in Social Justice and Environmental Studies and an MA in Indigenous Studies. Her career pathways revolve around social and environmental justice, as she works with several non-profits in the Four Corners region. At Chyenne’s core, she is an artist. She is a trained dancer of twelve years, a writer, and a ceramicist. She spends all the time she can outside and intends to give back to the land and Indigenous communities for the seven generations to come.
Avery Old Coyote
Avery Old Coyote is a child of the Large Beaked Bird and Whistling Water Clan. He belongs to the Apsaalooke People of the Crow Nation as well as the Qlipse People of the Flathead Nation. He describes his favorite moment from last year’s camp: “Our last full day and night these canyons were echoing with laughter and with indigenous humor. It was not only filling the canyons with laughter but was really filling my heart and the other guides’ hearts. Really just replenishing the faith in humanity.”
Saige Purser
I am Yakima and grew up in Wabanaki Territory (Maine). I love spending time outdoors hiking, mountain biking, rafting, whitewater kayaking, rock climbing, or snowboarding. I fell in love with the outdoors as a kid going on camping trips and hiking. I first fell in love with whitewater when I went on a summer rec camp, again for our high school senior trip, and finally, when the organization I work with took a group of Penobscot Youth rafting on the Penobscot River, the youth explained the place names the guide was talking about, the youth turned to me and asked why I wasn’t a guide. That summer the organization I work with supported me to become a raft guide.
I find so much value in experimental outdoor adventure-based learning, I wish I had more opportunities when I was younger but I am happy to support that connection for Indigenous youth. Connection to place, culture, and nature is essential to healing.
Guest Educators
Nicky Haroldsen
Nicky was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah where she lived until she moved to Flagstaff, Arizona to attend Northern Arizona University. After graduating with a degree in Parks and Recreation Management with an emphasis in Outdoor Leadership she moved to Moab, Utah. Following her passion for running rivers and sharing her love for the outdoors with others, she found a good match in Canyonlands Field Institute. Between trips and various other jobs around the country and around the world she often made her way back to the red rock deserts of her native Utah and eventually put down roots here. In addition to running rivers she enjoys hiking, biking, gardening, yoga, and spending time with her partner, hound dog, chickens, ducks, and bees.
Karla VanderZanden, Co-Founder
Karla began her outdoor education career as a high school assistant in the 1970's for the Oregon Outdoor Schools and at summer camps. Her love of river running began while in college at U of Oregon. She holds a B.S. degree in Recreation Management and an Elementary teaching certification. She learned she could combine "camp" and "river" as classrooms for nature studies and to promote active civic engagement. She went on to complete a masters degree at Utah State University after having moved to Utah in 1980 to worked as River Ranger. In 1981, she was a member of a nine-person team that completed a first descent of the Karnali River in western Nepal. Karla founded CFI in 1984 with Robin Wilson, serving as Program Director. Upon Robin’s death in 1991, Karla stepped up to lead the organization as Executive Director continuously until 2020. Awards have included “Alumnus of the Year” in 1996 for the USU College of Natural Resources and Utah Hiking Guide of the Year in 2005. She served as a Moab Rotarian for twenty three years and has served on boards of the Grand Water Agency and Utah Division of Wildlife Advisory Council.