Each year the Director of the Natural Lands chooses several students to be the college Student Naturalists. Student Naturalists are responsible for the following:
-Attending formal training events each week to learn about Minnesota’s natural history
-Design, organize, and carry out a year-long project connecting the public to the Natural Lands and natural history
-Organizing and leading field trips for various St. Olaf and community groups
-Creating environment educational opportunities for the community.
-Maintaining a social media presence to interest and engage the St. Olaf and Northfield communities
If you are interested in working as a Student Naturalist, check the St. Olaf student employment job board for open positions. We typically hire for the upcoming school year late in the spring and openings are usually posted at the beginning of Spring semester.
- Visit our Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/stolafnaturallands/
- Visit our Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/stolafnaturallands/
The Student Naturalists for the 2024-2025 year are: Charles Cole (’25), Lilly Pihart (’26), and Maya Silver (’25)
Charles Cole (he/him): I spent the first half of my life right here in Northfield! As a young child, my family and I would often go looking for and catching frogs, toads, snakes, and caterpillars. I have kept fish as pets since that age too. As I got older, I discovered the fascinating wonders of animal cognition. I also have always loved taking long walks through forests. I was homeschooled for most of my childhood and preadolescence due to learning disabilities. After my family and I moved to Orono I began the project of cataloging every living species in my family’s property. When I returned to Northfield to go to St. Olaf, I declared a major in Biology. At St. Olaf, I worked as a Natural Lands Technician during my Junior year. My love and fascination with the natural world is still as strong as ever, and now I am ready to give back what I have learned to the world!
Lilly Pihart (she/her): I am a sophomore double major in studio art and environmental studies from Hopkins, Minnesota. I’ve always had a passion for environmental conservation and the great outdoors, and I love blending nature into my artwork. I consider myself a dedicated plant enthusiast and devoted plant parent who finds joy in nurturing my plants and garden. Beyond that, I thrive on outdoor activities like camping, hiking, fishing, stargazing, and immersing myself in the captivating world of wildlife. I’ve been lucky to have a family that shares my passion for adventure, and we’ve been exploring National and State Parks for as long as I can remember. I look forward to working in the Natural Lands this year and am excited to meet some new people!
Maya Silver (she/her): I’m a senior studying Biology and Race and Ethnic Studies. I grew up right near the Minnesota River Valley and love spending time outdoors hiking, paddling, and camping. Outdoor education and science communication are a big part of my passions, and I love being a naturalist on campus. I’ve spent my time off the Hill working for various wildlife research projects with wolves, bottlenose dolphins, harbor porpoises, and most recently, white-tailed deer fawns. All of these projects have helped me appreciate our unique ecology here at St. Olaf, and I’m excited to continue to share what I can about wildlife, science, and conservation with St. Olaf!
Hi there! My name is Sylvia and I’m a sophomore. When I’m not at St. Olaf, I’m probably in Decorah, IA or anywhere with a body of water or a tree 🙂 I grew up exploring the Driftless region, and many other places, with my family, which has inspired in me a love of getting to know new places. I spent a bunch of time wandering around in the natural lands last year, and I’m excited to do some more serious exploring this year! I love listening to music (especially The Wailin’ Jennys, Brandi Carlile, James Taylor, and the Okee Dokee Brothers), reading, going on walks, Chacos, identifying cars, singing camp songs, and watching women’s sports. I’m super excited to share my love for the natty lands with all of you this year!!
Kiran Tator (she/they)
Kiran Tator (she/they): I’m a sophomore studying studio art and environmental studies, and I’m incredibly passionate about the intersection of the two! I grew up right outside San Francisco and as a kid I would draw activism comics for climate change awareness. I’ve always loved camping, hiking, and backpacking. In the past I’ve worked as a summer camp counselor, where I led nature journaling sessions. I’m passionate about helping others discover the intricate beauty of the natural world—the things we often overlook. My drive to protect the environment stems from this passion. I am incredibly excited to be a student naturalist this year and I want to learn as much as I can!!
For more information on the Student Naturalist position at St. Olaf College, contact Director of Natural Lands Charles Umbanhowar (ceumb@stolaf.edu).
You must be logged in to post a comment.