Karla

I grew up on a small farm in western Oregon as an only child of older parents. The nearby woods that fringed the fields my family leased for their wheat became my haven. I began outdoor education as high school assistant in Washington and Multnomah Counties Outdoor Schools for 6th graders (Portland area). I fell in love with river-rafting in college at U of Oregon where I earned a B.S. in Recreation/Outdoor Education and an Elementary Education teaching certificate. I learned I could use the river as a classroom for nature studies and to promote active civic engagement. At 27 years old I was a member of 9 person team that completed one of the first river running descents of Karnali River in western Nepal on a 55 day expedition, aka "American Himalayan Whitewater Expedition of 1981.” They had no film crew, no radios and of course no cell phones. I worked as naturalist at Aspen Center for Environmental Studies for 3 years where I created elementary level curriculum and teacher training program, taught adult courses, community education in Winter Ecology, and led snowshoe walks for public. In 1986, I earned a master degree in Natural Resources from Utah State University. I moved to Moab in 1980 to work for BLM as River Ranger on the Green River, and later, 3 years on Westwater. I started CFI 1984 with co-founder Robin Wilson, who died of cancer 1991.

Kelly

Kelly grew up in the green hills of western Oregon, and later spent many years moving all over the Western US and to Vermont. She graduated from Prescott College with a degree in Conservation Biology, and a minor in Cultural and Regional Studies. Kelly has worked at many different outdoor education organizations and still loves teaching science and seeing people connect with nature. She has created and run several new programs for students over the years. The combination of rivers and desert outdoor education programs, and the large variety of programs is what first attracted her to CFI, where she was Lead Naturalist Guide, Field Manager, and now Program Director. She loves hiking, boating, botany, xc skiing, camping, and humor. And even after living in the high desert for several years, Kelly still believes that there is nothing like a river in the desert!

Allyson

Growing up in Southern Indiana, the woodlands and diverse wildlife in my own backyard inspired my interest in the natural world. Canoeing the Blue River in Indiana was my first “swiftwater” experience. Well acquainted with the green hills of the Midwest road biking and hiking in my younger years, it wasn’t until college that I started venturing to the mountains and deserts of the West. My first raft trip in Desolation Canyon on the Green River at the age of 19 sparked my interest in the subtle beauty of the desert world and extended river journeys. Being very involved in the outdoor program at Indiana University, where I graduated with a degree in Public Health, I continued to boat in the East until I made my way out West after graduation. Western rivers and the canyon country around Moab have become a new home. As a Naturalist-Guide for CFI for the past 4 years, I have gained so much appreciation for desert rivers and plan to continue getting out in the field between duties as CFI’s Marketing and Registration Coordinator. I love exploring this unique place with kids and adults alike and am happiest with oars or a paddle in my hand. In my free time, I enjoy biking, boating, hiking, skiing, and taking time to savor the special moments on the river’s edge and exploring the Southwest’s stunning landscapes.

Heather

Born and raised in Moab, Utah Heather spent much of her childhood hiking, hunting and camping with family. She studied general education at Utah State University – Moab Extension and is now CFI’s bookkeeper. Heather enjoys working for CFI because of the easy going people and atmosphere, and she believes in our mission. She also helps run Wilderness Quest, a teen wilderness therapy program in Southeast Utah. In her free time Heather enjoys spending time with her husband and 1 year old son, Jax.

Chantze

First memory: cobbled streets rippling down the steaming green hills of Bogota, Colombia, and colorful parrots perched on the apartment balcony railing. I graduated high school in the Republic of Panama and went to college at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. It took a while to learn to like snow, and I escaped to canyon country as often as possible. I fell in love with redrock and open horizons on annual family summer-long roadtrips. I can hear the earth's heartbeat most clearly here, and I have yearned to live in and give to this place for long and long. I moved here 5 years ago to teach for CFI. I still guide sometimes because I love to see kid's eyes light up when they get "it," an intellectual understanding or emotional connection to the austere, complex, incredible, precious beauty of this desert place. My day job is now teaching ESL and directing the Alternative Language Services program for for Grand County School District's secondary schools. I still love to be out in it, rafting, hiking, climbing, camping, exploring, and Moab is a marvelous little community I'm proud to call home and give my best to help make a better place. My daughter Hallie loves to come visit for many of the same reasons.

Kate

Kate grew up in Olney, Maryland where in high school she ran cross country and worked at The Backyard Naturalist, a small birding and nature store. Later she earned a B.S. in Rehabilitation Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and was a member of the Hoofers Outing Club where she enjoyed backpacking, trail building, and canoeing throughout Wisconsin and other areas of the country. After college Kate tried several different careers, but has become most passionate about getting people outside, being active and connecting with the landscape around them. She has worked in Wilderness Therapy, ropes/challenge course experiential education, environmental education and is now trying to incorporate all subjects within her work at CFI. She joined CFI as Program Intern Spring 2010, was a 1700 hr. AmeriCorps Program Coordinator for 2011, and is excited for future seasons. “There is something about the desert that I connect with. The colors, the arid environment, the hidden life, the vast space, and more. I hope everyone can find such a connection to somewhere on earth, and will work to take care of it.”

Katy Brandenburg

Originally from Maryland, Katy fell in love with nature at an early age. She migrated to California in 2007 as a newspaper reporter, then discovered outdoor education, and her life was forever changed. From the Sierras to Santa Barbara, Pt. Reyes to Joshua Tree, Katy spent the next three years exploring California, teaching students outdoors, and doing lots of hiking, rock climbing, and sleeping under the stars. In 2010, she became an apprentice river guide/naturalist with CFI and discovered the challenges and rewards of whitewater and desert life in Moab. Some of her favorite things include: making mosaics, exploring cliff-dwelling ruins in canyons, seeing great blue herons on the Daily, anything coffee or Nutella, and climbing.

Rebecca Martin

Rebecca came from Vermont to the Southwest in the spring of 1988 guiding a combination adventure/cultural programs involving Grand Canyon hiking, Rocky Mountain backpacking, a San Juan River trip and Navajo Mountain service/cultural exchange. Along with backcountry guiding and running a construction company together with her husband, Rebecca loves tending her garden, orchards, and flock of free range laying hens. Her passions include changing lives through experiential learning/community service, wild lands and spectacular landscapes, focusing on cultural diversity, archaeology, Native American shared experiences, photography and the power of silence. Rebecca has a Master’s degree in Intercultural Administration, specializing in Cross-Cultural Training and Advising, and an undergraduate degree in Perceptual Psychology and Cultural Anthropology.

Krista

Originally from Tempe, Arizona, Krista identifies home with many places! At Northern AZ University she earned a degree in English and Parks and Recreation Management. For 5 years, on and off, Krista has been drawn to live on the Colorado Plateau by the beauty, exposure, open spaces, deep canyons, and mystery of it all. The landscape “helps me define who I am by giving me a sense of identity and connection to both the simple and deeper more complex things in our lives. We are all a part of the land in every possibly way. My understanding of life and the mystery behind it emerges from my connection with the land. I enjoy the changing of the seasons, sandy feet, monsoons and the smell of desert rain, connection, getting my hands dirty, people playing music around a fire, hot tea, chocolate, oh geez the list goes on and on.” In her free time Krista likes to play outside, garden, cooking food, bicycles, traveling, being with family and friends, and anything involving dancing and music. Krista joined the CFI team in Spring 2011 and appreciates the ability to be a part of peoples experience in canyon country watching people find a connection to this place. “Another highlight is spending time with co-workers and getting to know all the students and participants on our programs- everyone has something important to share and teach me.“

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.

Eric and Charlene Atene