Longtime Outdoor Educator and Nonprofit Executive Scott Wolland to Lead BAWT
Oakland, CA – Bay Area Wilderness Training (BAWT) today announced the appointment of Scott Wolland as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, effective September 4, 2012, replacing founder Kyle Macdonald.
“Scott’s extensive experience in nonprofit leadership and experiential education will guide BAWT on our next adventure, allowing us to grow our organizational model and help more Bay Area youth experience the outdoors,” said Blake Durtsche, Board Chair.
Wolland comes to BAWT with 19 years of outdoor education and nonprofit management experience, including a strong record of connecting urban youth to the environment, community service, teacher training, and advocacy for underserved youth.
“As project of Earth Island Institute, BAWT plays an important role in conserving, preserving and restoring our ecosystem,” said Susan Kamprath, Project Support Director for Earth Island Institute. “Scott’s passion for the outdoors and dedication to the environment will guide BAWT’s continued success.”
As Director of Operations for the Turtle Island Restoration Network from 2008-2010, Wolland managed assets,day-to-day operations, and co-managed the budget. Prior to joining Turtle Island, from 1999 to 2008 he was Director of the Clem Miller Environmental Education Center for Point Reyes National Seashore Association, where he directed all programmatic aspects including marketing, budgeting, Education Center fundraising and facility operation. During his tenure, Wolland increased scholarships 600%, enabling families from diverse economic and cultural backgrounds to participate in the organization’s environmental education programs.
“I have collaborated and worked with countless Title I Bay Area Schools where I brought thousands of youth into the wilderness, and know well that environmental education must be made accessible and real to those students,” said Wolland. “BAWT is a leader in the movement to reconnect our youth to nature and I’m excited about the opportunity to lead this respected organization.”
Wolland is also a member of the North American Association of Environmental Educators (NAAEE) and the Association of Environmental and Outdoor Educators (AEOE).
BAWT’s founder Kyle MacDonald will work closely with Wolland through the month of September to ensure a smooth transition, after which MacDonald plans to take BAWT’s successful model on the road and across the nation. BAWT fully supports such efforts and will celebrate his contributions to BAWT and its mission in the near future.
