Marissa has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Science with an emphasis in Natural Resource Management and Conservation and minors in Biology and Geography from San Francisco State University. She worked on wetland restoration projects through the Romberg Tiburon Center, studying eel grass habitat, a critical habitat for marine life in the Bay Area. After taking a class on the Geography of Agriculture, she decided to get more involved with our food system. She began working at her local Pacific Coast Farmers’ Markets in San Francisco. For two years, she managed a vending booth, and learned about the seasonal fruits and vegetables, met farmers, and supported local, organic food businesses. During this time, she got involved with urban community gardens, such as Hayes Valley Farm. She joined the Education Branch to excite and educate children about ecology, permaculture, and healthy food. After, she was the Garden Educator for the Dare to Dream Program at the Bayview Opera House and developed a fun, hands-on learning curriculum with garden science and art activities, giving children the opportunity to learn where food comes from.
Additionally, Marissa loves traveling and exploring culture, food, and nature around the world. Most recently, she traveled to Central America to study yoga, textiles and fashion, and permaculture. Last year, she received her Permaculture Certificate in Guatemala at the Mesoamerican Permaculture Institute. She is excited to bring all of her interests and passions to the Sustainability Program at Alta Vista School.
Additionally, Marissa loves traveling and exploring culture, food, and nature around the world. Most recently, she traveled to Central America to study yoga, textiles and fashion, and permaculture. Last year, she received her Permaculture Certificate in Guatemala at the Mesoamerican Permaculture Institute. She is excited to bring all of her interests and passions to the Sustainability Program at Alta Vista School.
Brennan Blazer Bird has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Nature & Culture from the University of California, Davis. Brennan has a wide range of experience as an ecological educator, from leading students on naturalist walks and native plant restorations in the SF coastal habitat of Fort Funston to leading youth on outdoor backpacking trips in the Sierra Nevadas. For the past three years he has been working as a natural builder with his own ecological education nonprofit, teaching students how to transform plastic waste into bottle bricks to build an earthen community gathering place on their school campus (www.earthbench.org). Brennan has inspired the building of over 40 earthbench projects in over 10 countries around the world, all of which together have sealed off 1000's of lbs. of plastic trash from entering the environment.
Brennan is avid about regenerative design - designing life systems that help regenerate the planet around us. He received his Permaculture Design Certification from the Regenerative Design Institute in Bolinas, CA in 2010. He is an avid zero waste advocate and gives workshops on backyard composting and worm composting, solar cooking and appropriate cooking technology, and how to take water-wise actions in our daily lives. Brennan is incredibly excited to share his passion for ecological education and regenerative design with the students at Alta Vista.
Brennan is avid about regenerative design - designing life systems that help regenerate the planet around us. He received his Permaculture Design Certification from the Regenerative Design Institute in Bolinas, CA in 2010. He is an avid zero waste advocate and gives workshops on backyard composting and worm composting, solar cooking and appropriate cooking technology, and how to take water-wise actions in our daily lives. Brennan is incredibly excited to share his passion for ecological education and regenerative design with the students at Alta Vista.