Brina Macleese Email and Phone Number

I provide public information and education to the community on behalf of Seattle Parks and Recreation. Outreach focuses on natural and cultural programs serving community members of diverse backgrounds. This includes developing and implementing specialized programs for public venues and presentations; overseeing the development and implementation of outreach materials and specialized campaigns; managing the procurement and acquisition of materials and supplies; organizing and training volunteers, and managing volunteer programs.

Trainer, Public Outreach, Program Development:Developed extensive program for training Park Rangers in public interpretation of department management goals in urban nature; in natural systems services; in public safety; and in city goals of inclusiveness.

Training, hiring, personnel managementDeveloped for contracted naturalists to teach, or taught myself, over 1400 programs to pre- through middle school students and community groups. Hired, trained, and managed 57 temporary and seasonal naturalists / educators since 2000. Developed and maintained a successful open training and recruiting system.WritingWrote comprehensive plans and strategic plans for conservation areas, incorporating stakeholder involvement. Budget plans for programs (Urban Forestry, Forest Steward), incorporated into full project plans for events. Wrote Park and regional Conservation Planning advisory documents. Wrote and edited quarterly brochures and recruited program speakers. Wrote interpretive brochures and wrote and developed plaques to trails throughout the park.Program managementDeveloped, managed and directed EarthKeepers, a successful 11-week nature summer day camp, including 9 weeks of unique program for 300 - 400 camper-weeks. Successfully handed direction of camp to annual director for past 7 years. Conducted public polls, and, based on them, developed new programs for watershed education Managed balanced relationships with park users, public advisory groups, and activists. Organized and managed a Youth Naturalist program for teenagers to support environmental education, community involvement and leadership skills in partnership with Ballard High School and YMCA Earth Service Corps. Developed and coordinated an 11-week program training adult volunteer leaders for Forest Management, providing management of an urban park’s forest restoration plan.PartnershipsExpanded specialized programs to 12 Seattle schools and 22 community centers to support Seattle’s Environmental Stewardship Initiative. Collaborated with private nursery company for annual tree planting and publicity and collaborated with school district to present teen after-school outdoor education. Coordinated and administered education center for 9 years.

Generated new relationships for interpretive services in National Park with Hosteling International. Spoke to large audiences nightly about forest conservation and ecology. Created 3 new 1-hour programs for presentation. Created visitor service database of local and regional campgrounds. Lead, designed, walks and activities through groves and trails interpreting forest ecology.

Worked with local and regional government bodies to assess agricultural and park needs and management to develop cooperation and sustainable practices. Introduced geographic analysis tool to State Waters and Forests Directorate. Created signage, wrote construction and development grants to USAID, developed leadership relationships. Taught pest management, vegetation mapping, and environmental ethics.