Amy Samuels

Amy Samuels, Education & Outreach Coordinator, has been engaging youth and adults in science based learning for almost 20 years.  She received a B.S. from Cornell University in General Agriculture in 1987, a M.S. from Syracuse University in Science Education in 1996 and a M.S. in Forest Biology from SUNY ESF in 2002.  Ms. Samuels became the Coordinator of Education and Outreach for the Onondaga Environmental Institute in 2010. Her main focus is on developing and implementing programs related to water resources, stormwater management, green infrastructure and community engagement. She is proud to be OEI’s lead educator working on the design and delivery of education and outreach for Onondaga County’s Save the Rain Campaign. Ms. Samuels has also been an instructor for SUNY ESF’s Green Train green landscaping and urban ecology job training program for refugees and residents of the Near Westside. She is currently leading a team of organizations in the development and implementation of green infrastructure job training programs for adults and youth as part of an EPA Urban Waters grant.

 

 Prior to joining the Onondaga Environmental Institute, Ms. Samuels worked for Cornell Cooperative Extension for twelve years, the last five as the Team Coordinator for the Natural Resource Department.  During her tenure at Extension she was recognized nationally and locally for the quality of her work and her dedication to the community and environment. In 2009, she received the Conservationist of the Year award from the Oneida Lake Association for her work with the community on invasive aquatic plants and non-point source pollution issues. Other awards include the Association of Natural Resource Educators 2003 Silver Award for “Businesses Providing Safe Drinking Water”, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2000 Environmental Quality Award for the Skaneateles Lake Watershed Program and the 1999 Award of Excellence from the Northeast Extension Directors.  Ms. Samuels is currently on the Board of Directors for the Onondaga Earth Corps.