Our Staff
Kim Read
Director
Meet Kim Read, our passionate Director whose love for nature matches her enthusiasm for sharing it with others. When she’s not leading educational programs or tending to our animal ambassadors, you’ll find her photographing local wildlife. With her infectious laugh and deep nature knowledge, Kim makes science and nature accessible to visitors of all ages.
Jay Kaplan
Director Emeritus
Meet Jay Kaplan, our dedicated Director Emeritus, who has led Roaring Brook Nature Center for 50 years! Known for his binoculars and extensive bird knowledge, Jay has inspired countless nature enthusiasts through his patient teaching and rich storytelling. Whether leading bird walks, maintaining sighting records, or mentoring new naturalists, his commitment to environmental education has made our center a treasured community resource.
Liam Shortt
Animal Care Manager
Meet Liam Shortt, our enthusiastic Animal Care Coordinator! A proud graduate of Central Connecticut State University with a degree in Biology, Liam brings both scientific knowledge and heartfelt dedication to his role. Whether he’s preparing enrichment activities, monitoring health checks, or sharing fun animal facts with visitors, his passion for wildlife shines through in everything he does. His infectious enthusiasm for animal welfare makes him an invaluable member of our team!
Christina Gilbert
Education Coordinator
Meet Christina Gilbert, our passionate Education Coordinator! With a master’s in Environmental Education and dual bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Environmental Science, Christina brings exciting hands-on learning to Roaring Brook Nature Center. Drawing from her wonderful experiences teaching in Minnesota and Oregon, she loves taking students on trail adventures to discover local plants and animals. Christina’s interactive teaching style helps students build meaningful connections with nature, making every lesson an engaging outdoor experience!
Margery Winters
Program Coordinator
Pam Albertsen
Educator
Meet Pam Albertsen, whose unique blend of medical expertise and passion for nature enriches our community at Roaring Brook Nature Center. As a registered nurse by training and a lifelong naturalist by calling, Pam has dedicated nearly four decades to sharing her love of the natural world with our center since moving to Simsbury.
Throughout her extensive involvement with RBNC, Pam has served in multiple roles including instructor and clinic assistant. For the past six years, she has led our Auxiliary as president, helping to strengthen our educational programs and community outreach. Her vision continues to drive our mission of fostering environmental education and conservation awareness in the broader community.
Estee Axelrad
Homeschool Program Teacher
Meet Estee Axelrad (“Ms. Estee“), our dedicated homeschool program leader. Since joining Roaring Brook Nature Center in 2015, Estee has grown from volunteer to valued educator, bringing her extensive background in classroom teaching, special education, and Montessori methodology to our community.
Her deep passion for nature, combined with her commitment to nurturing curiosity in every child, shapes her thoughtful approach to curriculum development. Each of Estee’s lessons is meticulously crafted and tailored to meet the needs and interests of her students. Her work is guided by a singular purpose: to instill understanding, respect, wonder, and love for the natural world in the hearts and minds of young learners.
Lena Wilson
Educator
Meet Lena Wilson, our enthusiastic and dedicated environmental educator who is currently pursuing her degree in environmental biology at CCSU. Her remarkable journey with Roaring Brook Nature Center represents a beautiful evolution of engagement and growth – beginning as an excited young camper discovering nature’s wonders, progressing to a committed animal care volunteer, and finally becoming an invaluable member of our teaching staff.
Lena brings a unique perspective to her role, combining her academic knowledge with years of hands-on experience at the center. Her natural ability to spot and identify wildlife during trail walks, coupled with her engaging hands-on teaching style, creates immersive learning experiences that truly resonate with students. Through her carefully crafted lessons and infectious enthusiasm, she consistently ignites a deep sense of curiosity and wonder about the natural world in her students.
Daria Protopopova
Educator
Kelly Horrigan
Visitor Services