Meet Our Educators

TreePeople’s award-winning Environmental Education program owes a great deal of its success to our staff of talented Eco-tour educators.

Each of our educators is unique, but they all possess the right qualities – combined with excellent professional training – to open young hearts and minds to the wonders of the urban forest. Of course, it helps that they all share a love for nature…and a great sense of humor, too!

Guil Adams

Guil spent his youth walking though the woods of the Audubon Society Houston Reserve and is now delighted to begin his seventh year walking the woods of TreePeople to lead Eco-tours for grade school students. He is a professional actor, an Eagle Scout and the owner of a clown company called Los Angeles Clown. Warning: only take Guil’s Eco-tour if you like to have fun!

“Guil is an excellent instructor – well informed, prepared and able to deal with challenging children.”
 -La Ballona Elementary School teacher 
 

Hector Nava

Born and raised in the concrete jungles of Los Angeles, Hector has found refuge leading Eco-tours of “coyotes” through our Magical City Forest in Coldwater Canyon Park. A vehement believer that education empowers a community, Hector is currently working on his Masters degree at the California State University, Los Angeles, focusing on the development of renewable energy.

When not consumed by planting seeds in young minds or remedying a fuel cell, Hector custom screen-prints colorful illustrations on wearable canvases.

“Hector has a wonderful sense of humor and enjoys his work. He made our tour both educational and fun.” -3rd Street Elementary School teacher

Sarah Espinoza

Sarah was born and raised in Los Angeles, but considers herself a citizen of the world, as she has traveled extensively across the Americas. Along with planting many seeds, Sarah has also painted many trees, which have been displayed in galleries throughout California. She is especially inspired by the artist Frida Kahlo.

Sarah received her degrees in art education and Chicano studies. She loves reading, her two dogs Summer and Paloma, and hiking around Coldwater Canyon Park while leading the Eco-tours.

 “Sarah was great! The kids had a blast and learned a lot! They were highly engaged!”
  -Sinai Akiba teacher

Daniel Klein

Raised in Staten Island, New York, Danny wasn't much of an 'outdoors' kind of guy until he arrived in sunny Los Angeles in 2005. He's always been interested in education, and contributing to the lives of children. In 2000, he founded MeeWee Entertainment, and recently released an album of Hip-Hop songs for elementary school kids, with song titles like "I Can Be Anything” and "I Need a Hug."

Danny received his masters of fine arts in screenwriting from the American Film Institute. His enthusiasm for kids and the environment are infectious.

“Danny presented in an entertaining, humorous way. Children and adults came away impressed.”
-Balboa Elementary School teacher