Hello my name is Elsa and I am a Minnesota Naturalist who has worked in Environmental education for 8 years. Over the years I have gained a wide variety of experiences and certifications. I have always been passionate about the outdoors and am determined to provide high quality outdoor programs. In 2018 I was looking for ways to connect more people to nature beyond what I could provide in seasonal naturalist roles. So I started doing EcoElsa as a series of blogs and videos to reach more people around the world and to continue to hone my skills. Now I am the Founder & Owner of EcoElsa LLC, an environmental education business in the Twin Cities of Minnesota based off of one of my nicknames. EcoElsa will continue to provide free resources for teaching outdoors through videos, blog posts, different social media sites, and more resources as we grow. We additionally offer a wide variety of presentations, programs, and workshops to help everyone get outdoors! You can check out the different classes we offer under our Nature Tours page and Classes page on this website and to sign up for a class you can check out the Upcoming Events page. If you don’t see something that interests you then head right over here to Request a Program to see if we can put together a class that fits you and your groups needs. If you have questions about rates, scheduling, and payment then check out our FAQs page and if you still have more questions email us at ecoelsallc@gmail.com!
How I Am Qualified
For starters I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Science with an emphasis in Field Biology and a minor in Conservation from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls. I have also worked in the Natural Resource Field for many organizations including for nature centers, the DNR, the Minnesota Zoo, Dakota County, the Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance, and the Minnesota Conservation Federation. For most of these groups I worked in the area of Environmental Education but I also gained experience in outreach, research, and natural resource management. Lastly I also possess many different certifications and memberships to organizations that help me gain further experience in creating engaging quality programs.
Certifications
First Aid, CPR, & AED Certified with the American Red Cross
Minnesota Master Naturalist Instructor Certified through the Minnesota Mater Naturalist Association
Project WILD & Project WILD Aquatic Certified
Turning Learners into Leaders Service Learning Training through the Jane Goodall Institute
National Archery in the Schools Program Instructor Certification
Foundations of Interpretation Training through Indiana University Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands
Youth Mental Health First Aid through the National Council for Behavioral Health
Open Water Diver Certified through PADI
FISTA Chainsaw 1 & 2 Certifications
Type 2 (Wildland) Fire Fighter Certification (Pack test is expired)
Backpack and Stream Electroshocking certification through WI DNR
A.L.I.C.E. (Alert Lockdown Inform Counter Evacuate) Training through Northern Illinois University
Professional Organizations
Minnesota Naturalist Association
Minnesota Master Naturalist Association
Wisconsin Wildlife Federation
Wisconsin Conservation Leadership Corps
Awards
Mentor of the Year 2017 – Wisconsin Conservation Leadership Corps