tanglewood nature center and museum

Staff

Elaine with Minerva ("Mini") the Cooper's Hawk

Elaine Spacher, Executive Director
tanglewooddirector@outlook.com 
Joined us January 2003

Our Executive Director is Elaine Spacher. In addition to being a bluebird expert, she is a visionary leader and has guided Tanglewood through a period of extraordinary growth. When Elaine is not networking, initiating new programs in line with educational standards, and organizing new community events, you can contact her about scheduling school programs or to chat about our signature Meg Lowman Camp -- a weeklong program for girls that builds confidence, character, and STEM skills.  

Grounds and Maintenance Supervisor
facilities@stny.twcbc.com 

Our Grounds and Maintenance Supervisor manages our two trail systems and hundreds of acres of property. If you have questions or concerns about our facility, or wish to get involved with trail maintenance -- this is the one to email!

Deanna with Lucy, the Barred Owl

Deanna O'Brian, Office Manager
tanglewoodoffmgr@outlook.com
Joined us February 2011

As Office Manager, Deanna oversees the daily operations and keeps us in line! Deanna manages memberships, schedules birthday parties and private events, enrolls campers and collects health information, and is generally your best bet with any question you may have.

Ian and one of our Eastern Box Turtles 

Ian McLaughlin, Naturalist and Educator
naturalist@stny.twcbc.com
Joined us January 2006

Ian is resident naturalist and educator at Tanglewood. If you schedule an educational program, you're likely to benefit from Ian's years of experience with all animal groups and ecosystems! He is particularly great with school and Scouting groups. And if there's a mysterious animal track or sighting in your yard, Ian's your best bet for identification. 

Brie and Hector, the ferret 

Brianna Riesbeck, Curator, Educator & Camp Director
tanglewoodcurator@outlook.com
Joined us January 2018

Brie is the curator, environmental educator and summer camp director at Tanglewood.  As Curator, Brie designs and updates our museum and exhibit halls, and manages our animals -- she oversees their health, enrichment, and the acquisition of new animals. As Camp Director, Brie hires and supervises our seasonal staff and ensures that all our campers have a safe, fun, educational and nature-based summer!

Brie is especially fond of our pigeon, and is currently training him to do education work. 

Bridget and Hank, the Red-Tailed Hawk

Bridget Sharry, Community Relations Manager
emails: marketing.tanglewood@gmail.com  and  volunteer.tanglewood@gmail.com
Joined us January 2014

As Community Relations Manager, Bridget coordinates volunteers, supervises interns, and handles the marketing and public relations strategies for Tanglewood. If you are interested in volunteering or applying for an internship, please email her! In a marketing capacity, Bridget is eager to reach new audiences and share the wonderful work that we do with your community. She is the current coordinator for weddings at Tanglewood.

Jamie with Sully, the ball python (and her son Austin, our youngest volunteer)

Jamie Ziegler, Educator
educator@stny.twcbc.com
Joined us April 2018 

Jamie has been leading our Hike, Learn, and Play programs for two years, and we're very excited to have her on the team as education staff now! Hike, Learn, and Play will continue on Fridays at 1pm and Jamie will be doing lots more programming with our owls and snakes and more the rest of the week. When she's not designing and curating STEAM and nature-based curriculum in the office, she's out in the field, traveling across five counties with animal ambassadors in tow.