About Us

Dr. John Morrissey, Chair

Dr. Morrissey is relatively new to Norfolk County. He and his wife Dr. Claire Morrissey were attracted to the area when searching for a place to return to a rural location to live. He grew up in a forested area and found the Carolinian Forest of Norfolk of great interest. John has become involved in the community, serving on the boards of The Norfolk Woodlot Owners Association and the St. Williams Conservation Reserve Community Council. He also maintains membership in the Norfolk Field Naturalists and Bird Studies Canada.

John holds a BSc, MA and PhD in Psychology and Human Development. He continues to have a strong interest in Developmental Psychology. He is a Registered Psychotherapist and has a practice in Simcoe, where he conducts individual, couples and family therapy, including work with children experiencing developmental challenges.

Shanaya Vanhooren, Vice Chair

Shanaya is a PhD candidate (ABD) in the department of political science at the University of Western Ontario. Her broad research interests include local politics, public policy, and Canadian politics.

Shanaya grew up in Norfolk County and has always spent a lot of her time outdoors. She is passionate about providing quality education whether it is in a classroom or outdoor setting. She has worked as an instructor and teaching assistant at the university level; as outdoor educator for Nature’s Calling Environmental Education; student museum curator at Canada’s First Forestry Station; and as a Heritage Events Coordinator and Historical Interpreter at Backus Heritage Conservation Area. In her spare time, Shanaya enjoys walking her dog on the many Norfolk County trails, fishing, and spending time outdoors.

Rick Levick, Director

Rick was on the founding committee of NCEE’s nascent organization Kids for Turtles Norfolk. Known as “the turtle guy” in the Long Point area, he was the coordinator of the Long Point Causeway Improvement Project from 2007 to 2017.  Rick believed that educating young people about nature would help raise all people’s awareness the risks of roads to local wildlife, especially the many Species at Risk turtles and snakes found here. He encouraged local author Jan Everett (see Partners) to publish and distribute her children’s book, Never Give Up, about a little boy, Johnny, helping turtles safely cross a busy road.

Rick served as president of the Long Point Bay Anglers Association from 1996 to 2007, and helped launch the Association’s Live Release boat for bass fishing tournaments. He also served as president of the Long Point Biosphere Region from 2018 to 2021.

A “Long Pointer” since age 3, Rick has more than 40 years of experience in public relations, project and non-profit management and science education outreach. He has a Masters degree in Journalism from the University of Western Ontario and is accredited with the Public Relations Society of Canada.

Carmen Davis, Director

As a busy mother of two and dutiful master of a Bichon Frise, Carmen spends most of her time in the classroom. When the school day ends you can find her outdoors running, walking, swimming, coaching soccer or reading the latest book pick from her book club Lit Chicks. She is a lover of both nature and the arts and has performed in various plays and musicals at the Lighthouse Festival Theatre and Simcoe Little Theatre. Carmen has been on the Board of Directors for Nature’s Calling since 2012, and enjoys volunteering her time face painting at their various festivals and events.

Robin DeCloet, Director

Robin joined the Board of Directors in February 2018.

She attended York University (Psychology & English); Fanshawe College (Developmental Service Work majoring in Sign Language); and Laurier University (History). She has more than 25 years of experience working directly with children throughout Norfolk County for the Children’s Aid Society, the Grand Erie Board of Education as an Interpreter specializing in Augmentative Facilitation, and for Long Point Region Conservation Authority as the Heritage Programmer/ Curator.

Robin’s work as an educator has always extended beyond the classroom realizing that children learn through problem-solving, direct observation, relationships and their natural and manmade surroundings experiencing hands-on activity. Robin believes it is important to increase awareness of environmental problems and instill an environmental ethic in students to foster the skills and strategies for solving those problems to deal with environmental issues we are facing not only in the world but also those of our own community.

On behalf of NCEE, she also organizes the Shinin’ Times Mountain Man Rendezvous in September.

Frank Yalaksa, Director

Frank has a background in natural resources. He worked as a fish and wildlife technician for 10 years at many different projects, including wild turkey trap and transfer, sea lamprey control, tundra swan trapping, fish studies and creation of wildlife corridors along drainage ditches to name a few. Frank is a Norfolk county native and continues to live in and enjoy the area with his young family. He is an avid angler and hunter and enjoys passing his knowledge of the outdoors to his kids and others by volunteering at fishing and wildlife events. Frank is employed by the Ministry of Transportation in highway patrol. He has been a director with NCEE since 2013.

Elle Shurr, Director

Born and raised in Norfolk County, Elle proudly embraces her family history as an 8th generation resident, growing up amidst the serene landscapes surrounding Lake Erie and family cabin in Thunder Bay, she has enjoyed many different areas of traveling and exploring the great outdoors. Family holds a big importance in her life, and enjoys moments spent with loved ones, whether it's a leisurely stroll through Norfolk's trails or embarking on adventures to uncover hidden treasures along the way. Elle is happy to be a director on the board and support the idea of more kids in our area experiencing the amazing benefits of Forest School and the other programs that Nature’s Calling has to offer.

Bernie Solymár, Executive Director and Treasurer

Bernie is the founder of Nature’s Calling Environmental Education. He is a life-long naturalist and trained biologist. He worked for the Ministry of Agriculture and Food for 12 years before founding his own company EarthTramper Consulting Inc., which specialized in working with landowners on stewardship issues, species at risk conservation and habitat enhancement. He is currently the General Manager for the Berry Growers of Ontario.

Bernie has a B.Sc. Honours (Agriculture) from the University of Guelph (1985) and a M.Sc. in Biology from Brock University (1988). He is an avid gardener, eco-traveller, photographer and nature hike leader, and lives with his family in Pt. Ryerse.

Bernie’s passion for working with children began with an 18 year stint as a soccer coach. Since 2010 he has focused on implementing the mission of NCEE by coordinating it’s programs, raising funds, and spreading the word about the organization’s work through social media and presentations.

Laura Ehnes, Forest School Facilitator

Laura grew up with the Nith River floodplain in her backyard, going exploring with her brothers and not coming back until supper. She completed her post-secondary school at the University of Guelph in Environmental Science.

Laura has 17 years of experience working at the Grand River Conservation Authority as a Nature Interpreter, Camp Coordinator, and Environmental Educator. Throughout that time, she was lucky enough to work at 6 of their Nature Centres. She has also worked with the Waterloo Region District School board as an Environmental Educator during many short term contracts. Laura loves being outside, working with kids, traveling, and learning new things every day. Laura recently moved to Norfolk County and is excited to "discover and enjoy the local nature along with our Forest School kids".

Laura is a certified Forest and Nature School Practitioner (Child & Nature Alliance of Canada / Forest School Canada.)

Melisa Chambers, Forest Pre-school Facilitator

Melisa has been a Registered Early Childhood Educator for ten years. Early on in her career, Melisa recognized her passion for outdoor play within the early years setting and thus began her goal to learn the forest school philosophy. Melisa is currently taking the Forest School Practitioners Certification Course with the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada. Melisa loves spending her day with her forest preschoolers exploring and playing. Melisa enjoys working with children because of their natural sense of curiosity in the world around them and being outside with them only enhances this.

Along with her RECE from Fanshawe College, Melisa also has received her Bachelor of Arts from Nipissing University. In her free time, Melisa is busy spending time with her family.

Melisa is a certified Forest and Nature School Practitioner (Child & Nature Alliance of Canada / Forest School Canada.)

Sara Kirkwood, Forest School Facilitator

Sara is a Port Dover native. Her passion for working with children began after she had 2 of her own. She operated a daycare for several years following the Montessori method, spending her day with the kids outside exploring nearby trails and beaches.

Sara previously worked with NCEE in 2021 and fell in love with the forest school concept. Her children also attended and went to summer camp. For the last few years has been working in the landscape/garden design/tree removal business.

Sara is thrilled to be back on a full-time basis with Nature’s Calling. She is also currently enrolled in the Children and Youth Program at Mohawk College and plans to get her Forest Practitioner certification over the next year.

Her hobbies include reading, hiking, gardening, swimming and volunteering with her kids extracurricular activities.

Jasmine Defilla, Forest School Facilitator (Part-time)

Jasmine is a child of the wild. Born on the traditional territories of the Anishnaabeg, cradled between Lake Simcoe and Georgian Bay; and raised here in what we call Norfolk County, the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations. She is grateful for her life “Between the Lakes” (Treaty No. 3, 1792).

After graduating from Mohawk College with Honours and becoming a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) she travelled to the West Coast. There she worked as a Forest School Educator in the great mountains, forests, rivers, beaches and ocean of B.C., alongside some of the most beautiful creatures she’s ever known.

Now she has returned to be close to her heart, her home. She is excited to rediscover this place with a new lens, a new passion, and some new friends!

Laurel Winger, Summer Camp Counsellor

Laurel is an outdoor educator, wilderness guide and a certified Forest School Practitioner with Child and Nature Alliance Canada. Earlier she received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Guelph as well as outdoor certifications. She has worked in forest schools for 5 years and day camps for over 12 years. Her rural roots gave her deep interest in the natural world that she carries to this day, while birding, paddling, gardening or advocating for nature.

Laurel loves Camp and is passionate about learning with others and connecting children to nature. Her goals include keeping curiosity and imagination alive, finding timelessness and 'flow', learning the secrets of nature and giving back.

Andrea and Rhyus Reeves

Andrea and Rhyus Reeves provide their beautiful 60-acre property, the Long Road Oasis Homestead just west of Simcoe, to Nature’s Calling to operate our forest school, summer camps and curriculum-based outdoor programming for local schools.

They have been married for 5 years and have 5 children between them. Andrea has been a hairstylist for 18 years and currently works at a salon in Simcoe. Rhyus is the former owner of RE/MAX Erie shores in Norfolk and continues to sell real estate with his 21 years of experience in Norfolk.

Andrea and Rhyus had a dream to start a homestead, have a forest school on their property, and spend life with their family and nature. Living the best life the way it's meant to be! They are well on their way of accomplishing their dreams and now hope to share what they have learned, and the fruits of their labour, with the people around them.

Jan and John Everett, Educators

Several years ago Jan wrote a children's book about a turtle trying to cross the road called Never Give Up for her husband’s birthday. The book became a way of promoting and raising funds for the Long Point Causeway Improvement Project , which has saved the lives of countless turtles and snakes. Jan and husband John took the project one step forward and now deliver an educational and fun presentation in which she does a reading of the book, followed by a demonstration by John on how to safely carry turtles across the road. Jan and John enjoy occasionally volunteering their time to the NCEE for events such as presentations in local provincial and private parks, libraries and summer camps.