Environmental Science Center

Executive Director Joanna Stodden was born and raised in the rivers, forests, and mountains of the Duwamish, Suquamish, Muckleshoot and other Coast Salish peoples.  After graduating with a BS in field biology from the Evergreen State College, she worked for several environmental consulting firms conducting stream surveys for amphibians and salmon habitat all over Southeast Alaska.  She eventually became lonely among the grizzly bears and mosquitoes and felt a strong desire to share the remarkable biodiversity of our earth with others.  She has taught environmental education on beaches, forests, wetlands, aboard tall ships, in school gardens, and on a beach with the third greatest tidal exchange in the world! She began teaching Beach Heroes Programs for the Environmental Science Center in 2009 and served as ESC’s Program Manager from 2015-2019.  Joanna is delighted to advocate for outdoor programming in south King County and feels honored to be able to partner with the dedicated and talented teachers, parents, students, and community members who understand the value in stepping outside of the four walls of the classroom.  You will most likely find Joanna squawking and dancing with the herons, or following an ant back to her colony alongside her busy and inquisitive toddler.