Taylor Cannon
Santa Cruz,CA
Summary
Environmental educator and advocate with 6 years of experience working alongside marginalized youth and communities in interpreting foundations of sustainability and natural science. Committed to a holistic approach in curating space for personal development, tangible learning, and gratitude for nature as well as paving the way for a more equitable and diverse future of intersectional environmentalism and outdoor recreation.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Sales Specialist
REI (Recreational Equipment Incorporated)
04.2023 - Current
- Educated customers on sales floor about gear, sport-specific product features, and benefits to aid in selecting best options for each individuals' needs. Raised performance in areas of sales via memberships
- Warehouse operations using POS system to process shipping, sales, returns, online orders, etc.
- Volunteered for extra shifts during holidays and other busy periods to alleviate staffing shortages.
- Cross-trained new employees to maximize team performance and flexibility
Program Coordinator
Outward Bound Adventures
07.2022 - 02.2023
- Provided admin support in the planning and implementation of educational programming designed to increase leadership and wilderness skills of community BIPOC youth within Los Angeles county
- Developed an advocacy-rich program providing an environmentally-focused curriculum, granting paid employment opportunities for students, community engagement, and leadership skills & workshops for youth interested in exploring career pathways
- Coordinated logistics and help with operational systems that support program goals: recruitment (of participants and field instructors), retention, and engagement
- Connected with community-based organizations, partners and donors that serve OBA's target population to build outdoor coalition
- Cross-trained as an instructor in the field by leading nature-based learning expeditions that emphasize ecological literacy and cultural history of various locations within Southern California and other regions
Program Lead
Catalina Environmental Leadership Program
08.2021 - 06.2022
- Facilitated classroom environments leading hands-on workshops with visiting schools and universities within the western US region
- Emphasized important aspects of ecological literacy via relationship-building within communal garden space (ie introducing food miles, landfill functionality, and soil composition to students and rewarding their peers and staff with garden-to-table snacks post garden tasks)
- Provided support within outdoor classroom (garden) space via daily tasks, weekly check-ins, program set-up, etc.
Naturalist
Catalina Environmental Leadership Program
08.2017 - 06.2022
- 5 years as a seasonal guide, leading week-long environmental education programs rooted in principles of sustainability through experiential learning. Daily criteria included day and evening dives through coastal kelp forests, shoreline exploration, and microscope lab
- 34 (45-50 hour) weeks dedicated to curriculum development related to content that integrates environmental education standards, traditional ecological knowledge, and local research: addressing local, small-scale ecological and environmental concerns to youth to promote the preservation of Catalina Island's terrain and wildlife
- Worked collaboratively with naturalist team to design lesson plans that are relevant and meaningful, and encompass environmental studies with topics such as basic ecology principles, waste, energy, marine biology, geology and soils, plant adaptations, wildlife habitat, water studies, and environmental conservation
- Diversified teaching strategies and adapted to the intellectual, physical, and social-emotional needs of students as they arise and empowered students to think critically through interpersonal activities as well as group learning; The goal is not just an understanding of a subject matter but making connections between head, hand and heart, and cultivation of the capacity to discern systems.
Naturalist Guide
Harbor Breeze Cruises (Aquarium Of The Pacific)
09.2019 - 09.2020
- Led daily 3 hour whale watch tours out of Port of Los Angeles facilitating discussions with visitors on the environmental history of the San Pedro Channel and the seasonal migrations between whales and dolphins
- Developed tour programming with local biologists and enthusiasts to enhance guest experiences.
- Answered questions, pointed out important features, and offered further details about special exhibits to educate visitors.
- Worked flexible hours; night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
Education
Cabrillo College
Aptos, California2026
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science
California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA05.2021
Skills
- Naturalist 1 Certification
- Experiential Education
- Program & Curriculum Development
- Project Coordination
- Relationship-building
- Youth Leadership & Interpersonal Development
- Sales Expertise
- Trauma-Informed Behavioral Management
- Interpretation of Ecological Concepts
Certification
- Naturalist 1 Certification, Catalina Conservancy - August 2021
- Naturalist 2 Certification, Catalina Conservancy - February 2022
Affiliations
- Catalina Conservancy, Avalon Ca
- Outward Bound Adventures, Pasadena Ca
- Patagonia Pasadena, Pasadena Ca
- WATTS Empowerment Center, Watts Ca
Timeline
Sales Specialist
REI (Recreational Equipment Incorporated)
04.2023 - Current
Program Coordinator
Outward Bound Adventures
07.2022 - 02.2023
Program Lead
Catalina Environmental Leadership Program
08.2021 - 06.2022
Naturalist Guide
Harbor Breeze Cruises (Aquarium Of The Pacific)
09.2019 - 09.2020
Naturalist
Catalina Environmental Leadership Program
08.2017 - 06.2022
Cabrillo College
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science
California State University - Long Beach
- Naturalist 1 Certification, Catalina Conservancy - August 2021
- Naturalist 2 Certification, Catalina Conservancy - February 2022
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