Diana Teal, Executive Director

Diana has developed, directed and taught nature-based education programs for children and families for over 12 years. The Nature Centre weaves together Diana’s three great passions - nature studies, restoration ecology and place-based education. A resident of the High Park area, Diana is an avid explorer and feels thankful to have such an incredible natural place in the city to discover anew each and every day.

Diana holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from York, an Ontario College Graduate Certificate in Ecosystem Restoration from Niagara College and an Outdoor Experiential Education BEd degree from Queens. She is a certified member of the Ontario College of Teachers.

Sarah Halonen, Camps Coordinator

Sarah Halonen grew up in the small town of Kapuskasing exploring the immense wilderness of Northern Ontario. It was only a matter of time before she found herself exploring the biggest urban park in southern Ontario: High Park. After completing a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with environmental focus and another in Environment and Society at the University of Toronto, it was time to learn from Mother Nature Herself. With five years of experiential on-site study and teaching at the High Park Nature Centre, Sarah has discovered a new love for nature exploration, a commitment to stewardship, and a dedication to the pursuit of environmental awareness and education.

Katie Krelove, School Programs Coordinator

Katie has been a part of the Nature Centre team since spring 2006, when she started as a teacher intern from OISE.  She jumped at the opportunity to work in High Park, and has been developing outdoor education programs and leading interpretive hikes ever since.
Katie has been attracted to all things natural since childhood, and can often be found holding up a hike to examine a mushroom or catch a toad. She parlayed this interest into an undergraduate degree in Environment and Society, along with a myriad of ecological field courses and workshops, with a specialty in wildflowers and insects. She firmly believes that developing a strong, daily relationship with the natural world has the power to increase empathy, curiosity, and connections to place, while decreasing stress and sharpening our powers of perception.
Katie’s favourite things about High Park change with the seasons–she loves finding hidden spring ephemerals, identifying bugs, squishing slime-mold and making friends with winter birds.

Jon Hayes, Family Programs Coordinator

Jon Hayes is an enthusiastic outdoor educator with a particular fondness for birds, plants and tiny things. Working as a nature interpreter at the High Park Nature Centre since graduating from OISE/UT as a teacher in Spring 2007, Jon explores ways for people of all ages to appreciate and connect with nature. Jon also worked at Toronto Botanical Garden coordinating the Living Winter and Sprout Club programs. He currently volunteers reviewing resources for Green Teacher magazine.  Jon loves photographing High Park’s nature. Take a look at some of his photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jnthnhys/sets/72157600174280907/ Jon’s favourite smell in High Park is white pine needles on the forest floor.

Zak Smith, Nature Interpreter

My name is Zak. I have been lucky enough to work at the Nature Centre for the last three years facilitating programs such as the Saturday Morning Club. Nature is and has always been close to my heart, and on my mind. My favourite time of day to explore High Park is early in the morning when you might find me with binoculars glued to my eyes, tirelessly searching the trees for feathered friends while simultaneously sipping a cup of joe. My favourite way to get into High Park is by bicycle and my favourite place to bicycle to is the North end of Grenadier pond, where the beavers live. I feel fortunate for each and every day I spend in High Park, and always try my best to make sure that anyone who visits the Nature Centre leaves feeling the same way.

Sarah Covey, Nature Interpreter

Sarah Covey is a recent graduate from OISE who could not resist the opportunity to work with the Nature Centre! If she had to describe herself using only one word, that word would be “awesome”.  Sarah loves to explore the birds and butterflies of High Park, especially in the springtime.  She is also an expert at translating turtle-speak into English, which is particularly useful when introducing Houdini (the Nature Centre’s mascot) to kids.

Katrina Maurer,  Nature Interpreter

I am a recent graduate from the University of Toronto studying Primary/Junior education. This spring I completed an internship at the Nature Centre and am excited to continue working at the Centre and learning about High Park! I am especially fond of the flora of the park and all the wildflowers. I am excited to share the experience of exploring nature and connecting to nature in my favourite Toronto park with all of our visitors!

Mallory Parks, Office Administrator

Bio coming soon!