Michelle Villagran (vee-uh-grahn) (she/her/hers) grew up in Southern California, exploring the deserts, ocean, and mountains throughout the year. She graduated from the University of Redlands with a BS in Environmental Science, was a trip leader for the college’s Outdoor Programs, and was a Co-President of Jane Goodall’s nationwide environmental education program, Roots and Shoots. She spent the next six years teaching outdoor environmental education, first in Southern California, then locally in Colorado at Cal-Wood Education Center. Since leaving Cal-Wood full-time (you can still find her doing evening programs occasionally), she has worked in early childhood education, first in a childcare center and then as a private caretaker. She is so excited to be part of the Thorne team and combine her ten years of working with children, with her love of Nature and understanding the importance of growing up outside.