We teach and engage all ages in scientific explorations and environmental sustainability
Joe Richardson, Sr.
Founder and Lunch Out of Landfills Facilitator
Education has always been a passion for Joe. In 2002, Joe discovered his passion for environmental land stewardship and quickly began transforming the Bar-T Mountainside campus into a model for sustainability initiatives and an ideal location for offering hands-on outdoor science and environmental education for students and others. As MEE's Lunch Out of Landfills Facilitator, Joe collaborates with the Frederick County Composting Working Group, Frederick County Rotary Clubs, Key Compost, and school administrators, staff, teachers, and students to teach kids about importance of reducing food waste, recycling, and composting through daily waste sorting in school cafeterias.
Alyssa Wiens
Executive Director and Educator
Alyssa joined the MEE team after completing her Master's of Science in Environmental Education at Southern Oregon University in December 2018. After serving as the Assistant Director of Outdoor and Environmental Education, she stepped into the role as Executive Director in Fall 2021. Her career in environmental education has taken her from Kentucky to Wisconsin. and enabled her to put her B.S. in Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture to use in a variety of environments. She loves being able to put her degrees to work with MEE to create meaningful and engaging programs for students and adults. When Alyssa isn't working, you can find her snuggling her cat, Clementine, reading, or planning her next big adventure.
Shannon Richardson
Board President and Educator
Shannon comes to us from the classroom - she knew in 7th grade she wanted to teach and found the perfect classroom, outside. After obtaining her Bachelor's degree from Towson University, she taught middle school prior to serving as Mountainside's Outdoor and Environmental Education Director. She currently runs the before and after-school childcare center at Mountainside. The greatest perk of her job is the variety of programming and audiences she is able to serve from one day to the next. She loves reconnecting individuals with nature and each other through outdoor programming. When she's not working with kids, Shannon can be found out on the property with her bulldogs, Gus and Rosie.