About Us >

Rick Leader, Executive Director and Vice President
Rick directs regional activities of the National Audubon Society in Maryland and the District of Columbia, serving the Society’s 15,000 members and five chapters. Primary duties include oversight of the Pickering Creek Audubon Center, Jean Ellen duPont Shehan Audubon Sanctuary, Patterson Park Initiative and Important Bird Areas Program. He is leading a long-term effort to create a network of eight Audubon Centers throughout the region. Audubon Maryland-DC has 30 staff members and a $1.6 million annual budget. Rick is the former Assistant Director of the Chesapeake Bay Trust where he was active in the management of Maryland’s commemorative Chesapeake Bay license plate program and the Bay and Wildlife tax check-off. While at the Trust, Rick reviewed over 3,000 grant requests for Bay restoration projects. For five years he managed the Bay Bridge Walk festival in Sandy Point State Park. Rick is former president of the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Educators. He has served on a wide variety of regional boards and committees and is an active member of the Easton Rotary. Rick is originally from Cecil County, Maryland. He holds a Master's degree in Public Administration and Bachelor's in Political Science from the University of Maryland.

Mark Scallion, Center Director (Pickering Creek Audubon Center)
Mark manages all staff and day-to-day of Pickering Creek Audubon Center including education programs, land management, and farming operations. He holds a BS in Forest Engineering from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry in conjunction with Syracuse University. While at SUNY-ESF he served as a Teaching Assistant for dendrology (taxonomic identification of trees and plants). Mark began his career at Pickering as an intern and has since served the Center as Summer Camp Director, Assistant Director of Education and Assistant Director. Mark is an active member of the Easton Ruritan and the Talbot Bird Club of the Maryland Ornithological Society where he serves as President. He attended the Professional Leadership Institute, co-sponsored by the Association of Nature Center Administrators and the Delaware Nature Society. He has received training in several environmental education curriculums and is on the Maryland Steering Committee for Project Learning Tree. Mark has attended the Ornithology program at the Hog Island Audubon Camp of Maine. He holds American Red Cross certifications for first aid, CPR and lifeguarding.

Pat Ingram, Office Manager
Pat manages all financial and personnel operations of the state office and Audubon’s network of education centers. She taught for four years in the Los Angeles County School District, “retired” to raise a daughter and son and was involved in many volunteer organizations in CA and NJ for those 13 years. She returned to the workforce as the Office Manager of an American Red Cross Chapter in central NJ for 16 years. Additional responsibilities included the directorships of Disaster Services, Military and Social Services, and Volunteers. She served as the NJ State Lead Disaster Training Coordinator. Since moving to Maryland in February 2000, she is an instructor in Red Cross Disaster and International Services courses and volunteer co-chair of Red Cross Talbot County Disaster Services. Pat holds a BA in Sociology from Duke University and an Elementary Teaching Credential from UCLA.

Dr. Dave Curson, Director of Bird Conservation.
Dave is responsible for the Maryland-DC Important Bird Areas Programs and serves as the principal science and conservation staff. He grew up in London, England where he spent much of his childhood watching birds and also chasing various other forms of wildlife, including urban foxes, badgers, amphibians, moths and butterflies. He describes himself as an ornithologist, ecologist, conservation biologist and avid birder, having birded extensively throughout Western Europe and North America. In 1985 he received his BSc in Ecology at the University of East Anglia and began a career in conservation biology, working as a Habitat Survey Ecologist for local government and NGOs in London. He relocated to the United States in 1993 to begin graduate studies and received MS and Ph.D. degrees in the Department of Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His graduate research focused on the ecology and behavior of Brown-headed Cowbirds and their hosts in northern New Mexico. Dave moved to Baltimore in 2003 and took up his current position as Director of Bird Conservation for Audubon MD-DC in May 2004.

Rita Jacobs Osgood, Development Officer (Pickering Creek Audubon Center)
Rita joined Audubon in 2005 after serving for 10 years as Executive Director of a regional arts center in Cambridge, MD. She directed the arts center’s programs and operations including exhibitions, art education, publications, financial administration, marketing and fundraising. She was instrumental in spearheading a major capital campaign to renovate an 18,000 sq. ft. historic building into a future community multi-functional arts and performing arts center. Rita has served on the Board of Directors of the Waterfowl Festival, Inc. (1999-2004) and the Eastern Shore Chamber Music Festival, Inc. (1997-1999), both located in Easton, MD. She moved to the Eastern Shore ten years ago from Virginia Beach, VA where she served as volunteer publicity chairman for special fundraising events for both the Virginia Symphony and the Virginia Beach Center for the Arts. A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, Rita has lived and worked in a number of major cities across the country. She has a BA in Journalism from the University of Nebraska and brings more than 25 years experience in business management, public relations and communications to her position.

Martin Vito, Agriculture Program Assistant (Pickering Creek Audubon Center)
Martin comes to us from the town of Clinton, Connecticut. He is a recent graduate of the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology in the community of Cobleskill. He has a bachelor degree in Agricultural Business with a concentration in Agricultural Education. . He has a strong agricultural education background with many years working with the National FFA Organization as Connecticut’s State Vice President, District Chairperson for District Three in Connecticut, the Farm Bureau, and Cooperative Extension. One of his goals in life is to make a positive difference in young students’ lives by becoming an effective Agricultural Educator. Martin has a passion and interest for both agriculture and the environment.

Susanna Scallion, Development Officer (Audubon Maryland-DC)
In addition to increasing support for Audubon’s activities, Susanna is responsible for the development and implementation of marketing strategies for Audubon in Maryland and DC. She is also responsible for database and website management. She holds a BS in Biology from University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA. Before joining Audubon, Susanna served as a Development Officer for Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage, a local nonprofit dedicated to taking farm scale habitat restoration projects from start to finish on private property. Prior to CWH, Mrs. Scallion was the Park Naturalist at Pemberton Historical Park in Salisbury, MD, a Camp Director for the Maryland Summer Center at Fishing Creek, and the Baltimore Programs Coordinator for Chesapeake Audubon Society. Susanna began her career as an environmental education intern with Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Pickering Creek Audubon Center. Susanna serves as President of the Environmental Fund for Maryland and is an active member of the Talbot Bird Club of the Maryland Ornithological Society where she serves as Secretary. Mrs. Scallion has attended the Grantsmanship Training Program, ArcView GIS training and the Ornithology Camp at the Hog Island Audubon Camp. She holds American Red Cross certifications for first aid, CPR and canoe instruction.

Beth Wasden, Volunteer Coordinator (Pickering Creek Audubon Center)
Beth is responsible for recruiting volunteers, formulating policies for the volunteer program, and working with Pickering Creek's volunteer corps. She attended Syracuse University and holds a double degree in history and Russian Studies. Prior to joining the staff at Pickering Creek in 2006, she concentrated on "getting things done" for two years in the Delaware State Parks Partners AmeriCorps program. She served as a volunteer coordinator at Fort Delaware State Park, where she continues to volunteer for special events. Beth received Community Emergency Response Team training in 2005. She is American Red Cross-certified in CPR and in first aid.

Tekla Ayers, Center Director (Patterson Park Audubon Center)
Tekla is responsible for managing the programs and activities of Patterson Park Audubon Center as well as also developing and teaching education programs at the park. She grew up in the Sonoran Desert of Tucson, Arizona and has always loved the outdoors, hiking and camping. In 1998 she received a BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Arizona. After graduating, she volunteered with the National Park Service in St. Croix, working for a Hawskbill Sea Turtle research and conservation project. When she returned to Tucson, she earned her teaching certification to pursue a career in science education. Prior to joining Audubon Maryland-DC, Tekla enjoyed 7 years of teaching science for grades 7-12 at public and private schools in Arizona, Guatemala, and Maryland. While living and teaching in Guatemala, she was again able to work on sea turtle conservation with her students on the Pacific Coast of Guatemala. Tekla joined the staff of Audubon Maryland-DC in October of 2006.

Kate Rogers, Teacher Naturalist / Summer Camp Director (Pickering Creek Audubon Center)
Kate is responsible for planning and promoting all camp activities, hiring and supervising camp staff and coordinating a year-round junior counselor program. Kate also manages the Challenge Course and team-building programs and is involved in teaching a variety of education programs both at the Center and in the local schools. Kate grew up in Ohio where she spent her time exploring streams and forests and examining each little creature she could find. Her lifelong love of nature led her to pursue a BA in Biology from The College of Wooster and an MS in Biology from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Both degrees had a focus on conservation and ecology. In addition Kate is certified to teach high school biology. She began her career as an adventure-travel/eco-tourism guide leading American high school students and families on trips in Thailand, Australia and Costa Rica. While experiencing these diverse ecologies Kate was eventually prompted to return to the US in order to pursue a career focused on environmental issues and conservation. Kate joined Audubon in 2006.

Britt Slattery, Senior Conservation Biologist.
Britt has been a biologist and educator for 21 years, and joined Audubon Maryland-DC in fall 2006. Previously she was with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for 15 years, most recently at the Chesapeake Bay Field Office where she was Supervisor of the Education and Outreach Program, including the Schoolyard Habitat Program and the BayScapes Program. Also with the Service, she developed national education programs and policy, and conducted training programs for what is now the National Conservation and Training Center. Britt has also worked as a naturalist at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, an education specialist at the National Aquarium In Baltimore, and the Assistant Director of Education at Environmental Concern Inc. She has authored and illustrated instructional guides for a variety of audiences including WOW!: The Wonders Of Wetlands and Bay B C’s: a multidisciplinary approach to teaching about Chesapeake Bay, and has trained thousands of educators, citizens and professional groups each year. To promote the use of native plants for wildlife and water quality benefits, she has designed and installed numerous demonstration plantings and developed publications such as Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping. Britt is a native of Baltimore, MD and holds a degree in biology from the University of Virginia (1986). At Audubon, Britt will serve to promote the Audubon at Home Program.

Callie Schwartz, Education Coordinator (Patterson Park Audubon Center)
Callie spent her first year in Baltimore working for the Friends of Patterson Park, where she was introduced to the Park, its surrounding community members and the local Audubon Center. Volunteering with Audubon whenever she could, introduced her to the programs they offered and gave her the opportunity to get back into teaching. Graduating from Ohio University with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Callie has loved helping others get outside and enjoy what their surroundings have to offer. Callie has been teaching Environmental and Experiential Education for the past 8 years, holding great positions in Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C. and Michigan. As the Education Coordinator, Callie helps to develop and facilitate programs for nearby school field trips into the Park, as well as programs for the community. She can be found exploring the Park with a group or checking out the growth in her community garden plot on her walk to and from work.

Mandy Smith, Education Coordinator
Mandy is responsible for coordinating school and public programs, managing seasonal education staff and ensuring the quality of each education program held at Pickering Creek. She joined Audubon in January of 2008 after being with Latta Plantation Nature Center in Huntersville, NC for three and a half years, first as an environmental educator, then as nature center manager. Mandy grew up exploring the streams, woods and meadows of Western Pennsylvania and taste testing edible plants. Her connection with nature led her to obtain a B.S. in Horticulture from Penn State University. She then discovered a love of teaching about the environment while completing a year of service for AmeriCorps on Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore. After receiving an M.S. in Natural Resources Management/Environmental Education from Slippery Rock University, Mandy spent several months amongst the Douglas Firs on Vashon Island on Washington's Puget Sound. She then worked for Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh before heading south to North Carolina. Mandy is excited about being back on the Shore and brings a passion for all things green, brown, feathery, furry, scaly, etc. to her job at Pickering Creek.

Melissa Dietz, After-school Coordinator and Educator
Melissa is responsible for coordinating the After-school programs at Patterson Park Audubon Center and teaching school programs in the park. She joined Audubon in August 2007. Before then, Ms. Dietz was a naturalist intern at Irvine Nature Center in Baltimore County, where she lead a variety of programs including field trips, outreach programs, summer camp, birthday parties, and public programs. While at Irvine, she also spent time caring for the animals, including a barred owl, diamondback terrapin, boa constrictor, American kestrel, and others. Melissa graduated from Villa Julie College in 2005 with a BS in Family Studies and Community Services, and a minor in psychology. Since then, she has continued taking courses at Johns Hopkins University to earn a Certificate in Environmental Studies. Melissa has worked and volunteered at the National Aquarium in Baltimore since 2005, and is currently a volunteer diver, feeding and caring for the animals in two exhibits. Melissa is looking forward to putting her past experiences together to teach students of all ages about the wildlife that surrounds their community and how to embrace nature.

Dave Elburn, Farm Manager (Jean Ellen duPont Shehan Audubon Sanctuary)
Dave is in charge of all land and facility management at the Sanctuary. He manages a staff of eight. Dave has been employed on the property for over twenty-five years. He has extensive experience in stable management for horses and mules, carriage driving, farming, nutrient management, wildlife habitat creation and farm maintenance. He has received special training in the creation of warm season grass meadows and their management through controlled burning. Dave is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Tuckahoe Equestrian Center.