STAFF
Beyond nature itself, our staff are the heart and soul of WPNR.
Angela Belli
Executive Director
As Director of the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve at Saint Vincent College, Angela is responsible for strategic partnerships, program development and outreach, and Reserve landscape and infrastructure. She has been engaged in environmental education for more than 22 years where she has developed and implemented an array of outreach programs in environmental science for Saint Vincent College and led the development of the 50-acre nature reserve.
Angela integrates her love of nature, science education, and conservation into the mission and outreach of Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve and Saint Vincent College. She has extensive experience in conservation biology and education, conducting research at Powdermill Nature Reserve’s Biological Field Station, assisting in watershed restoration projects, and environment and ecology curriculum development and integration.
Angela has served as Board Secretary for the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators, and was recognized as Outstanding Environmental Educator of the Year by the organization in 2004 and is the recipient of the 2015 Saint Vincent College Projectenmacher Award. She serves on the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Advisory Council for Environment and Ecology. She holds a Master of Science in environmental science and management from Duquesne University, a Bachelor of Science in biology from Seton Hill University, and a certification in Secondary Biology Education from Saint Vincent College.
Angela integrates her love of nature, science education, and conservation into the mission and outreach of Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve and Saint Vincent College. She has extensive experience in conservation biology and education, conducting research at Powdermill Nature Reserve’s Biological Field Station, assisting in watershed restoration projects, and environment and ecology curriculum development and integration.
Angela has served as Board Secretary for the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators, and was recognized as Outstanding Environmental Educator of the Year by the organization in 2004 and is the recipient of the 2015 Saint Vincent College Projectenmacher Award. She serves on the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Advisory Council for Environment and Ecology. She holds a Master of Science in environmental science and management from Duquesne University, a Bachelor of Science in biology from Seton Hill University, and a certification in Secondary Biology Education from Saint Vincent College.
Allison Sellitto
Environmental Education Coordinator
Growing up in Lawrence, PA, Allison always loved visiting nature centers and being outside with her family. While studying elementary education at Saint Vincent College, she took an Environmental Science Class at the barn and fell in love with the uniqueness of the building and the vibe of the reserve. Her sophomore year, she began working at the reserve as a work study. After graduating with her B.S in Elementary Instruction from SVC in 2012, she spent two additional years working at WPNR as an AmeriCorps member while obtaining her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. In 2015, she started in her current position of Environmental Education Coordinator at WPNR and was able to combine her love of nature and the outdoors with her passion for teaching.
As Environmental Education Coordinator, Allison develops a wide range of educational programs, workshops, and events for the Reserve. She plans and teaches Nature Story Time, Tiny Wonder Time, and all of our field trips and summer camps. Allison is also responsible for creating marketing and exhibit materials and handling many other behind-the-scenes responsibilities. She strives to provide nature education to children and adults through fun and unique programs and exhibits. You can see Allison’s creative work all over the reserve as graphics, fliers, social media posts, and exhibits. In her free time, she enjoys fishing, crafting, baking, reading, photography, traveling, and is a 3rd-degree black belt in karate.
Jennifer Eppolito
Education Horticulturist
board of directors
Robert Saunders IIIPRESIDENT |
AMY PALMER SAUNDERSChairman |
TERRANCE C. FERGUSON, ESQ.
VICE PRESIDENT, VICE CHAIRMAN & GENERAL COUNSEL
Christian dedianaTREASURER |
DONALD 'DOC' GIFFINSECRETARY |
board MEMBERS
Fr. Paul Taylor, O.S.B.
President OF SAINT VINCENT COLLEGE
BARBARA NAKLES
Student staff
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The Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve employs more than a dozen undergraduate students in the fields of education, environmental science, biology, biochemistry, and business. They are vital in program development and teaching.
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VOLUNTEERS
Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve has grown with the many talented and committed community volunteers that have provided more than 1000 hours of service. Master Gardeners, such as Ron Patun, Jenn Eppolito, B.J. Bellotti, and so many others have planned, planted, weeded, and implemented many interesting and beneficial gardens into the Reserve landscape. The gardens and overall native landscape are crucial to the conservation of insects and animals that call the Reserve its home. Not only the garden expertise, but the educators, such as Ms. Polly and Ms. Janet bring a world of knowledge and enthusiasm to our curriculum and resources we offer in programs and at the Learning Center Barn. Ms. Janet shares her birding expertise on the trail with all ages and Ms. Polly has redesigned our lending library and the resources.
Finally, the uniqueness of WPNR can be found in the spirit of stewardship brought by the Benedictine Monks at Saint Vincent College. Brother Lawrence Machia brings an energy like no other for beginning the process for maple sugaring at WPNR, and many other brothers have joined our programming at summer camps, bird walks and more. It is with many special and talented volunteers from Saint Vincent and the local community that have helped to establish the special place that is now utilized by so many.
Finally, the uniqueness of WPNR can be found in the spirit of stewardship brought by the Benedictine Monks at Saint Vincent College. Brother Lawrence Machia brings an energy like no other for beginning the process for maple sugaring at WPNR, and many other brothers have joined our programming at summer camps, bird walks and more. It is with many special and talented volunteers from Saint Vincent and the local community that have helped to establish the special place that is now utilized by so many.
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