McDowell Environmental Center
- 205-387-1806, ext. 109
- mecdirector@campmcdowell.org
MEC Staff
MEREDITH DONALDSON, DIRECTOR
Meredith grew up in Central Virginia, and from a young age, has always been happiest when she is outside. After graduating from the University of Maryland with a BS in Environmental Science, Meredith came to Camp McDowell to share this love for the outdoors with others. Here she worked as a seasonal instructor, and eventually as the Operations Manager. Before returning to camp in 2021, Meredith worked as the Hawaii/International Regional Director, and the Director of Logistics for Wilderness Adventures, an outdoor leadership organization in Jackson, Wyoming. Meredith loved expanding her knowledge of outdoor education and getting to explore a new part of the country. She returned to camp to work as the Program Coordinator for the McDowell Farm School, and now could not be happier to be back at the Environmental Center as the Director. As Director, Meredith is excited to continue to share her passion for environmental education, and her love for nature with the many visitors that come to Camp McDowell. In her free time, Meredith loves to try new recipes in the kitchen, take long hikes with her dog Maple, and enjoy a quiet cup of coffee in a rocking chair.
KIM CORSON, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Kim hails from the great corn state of Iowa. She studied Elementary Education but fell in love with teaching outdoors, not in the classroom. Kim worked for two years as a Naturalist in Minnesota where she perfected her Minnesotan accent. She’s also taught environmental education in the Adirondack State Park in New York and in the mountains of Utah. Kim started at MEC as an instructor in 2017, planning on being here just one season…and hasn’t left since! She loves her McDowell home and the wonderful community here. Kim has a Masters in Natural Science & Environmental Education through Hamline University in St. Paul, MN and is on the Environmental Education Association of Alabama board. In her free time, you'll find her outside somewhere hiking, rock climbing, roller skating, or admiring lichen. She also plays roller derby with Birminghams Tragic City Rollers.
BRITTANY ROHR, OPERATIONS MANAGER
Hi! I’m Brittany! I am from a little bitty town in Pennsylvania called Mars- just a bit north of Pittsburgh. Throughout my life I have always loved to be outdoors, playing games like “crocodile hunter” with my siblings and cousins. As I grew older, and it became slightly less acceptable to play those sorts of games with friends, I found myself drawn to outdoor adventure style recreation. Those experiences lead to an increased interest in the natural world, and my choice to earn a degree in Parks and Resource Management, Conservation, and Sustainability. I have since spent multiple seasons working for MEC, a summer as an interpretive intern for the National Park Service, as well as time as a behavioral therapist and preschool teacher. In my free time I enjoy spending time with people I love, camping, reading, running, yoga and taking great naps. As I have learned through leaving and returning to camp (like, a lot of times), nothing beats the magic that this space has to offer. I look forward to the opportunity to share that with as many people as will let me.
MOLLY KELLY, DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL PROGRAMS AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
Molly comes from the frozen tundra, Minnesota. After 4 years of studying biology and anthropology in college, her anthropology professor suggested being a naturalist for a year until she knew what she wanted to do next. 8 years later, Molly is still working in Environmental Education and has spent most of her career working with raptors, herps, and an education skunk. After visiting camp for the first time in January of 2021 she fell in love and was excited when the opportunity arose to come back as a staff member. In her free time Molly enjoys spending time outdoors, especially if it involves being in and around the water with her pups Fox and Chaco. When not playing outside you can find Molly listening to true crime podcasts, crocheting, or cooking up a delicious meal to share with friends. Molly still doesn't know what she wants to be when she grows up, but dreams of having too many pets and a hobby farm where she can play outside with her dogs, and grow wildflowers.
Seasonal Environmental Education Instructors
Hunter: Program Specialist: Adventure & Projects
Hey! I'm Hunter! Since I can remember, I've always had a great love for nature. It began while I was in boy scouts and only became stronger as I grew older. I had the opportunity in college to make something more concrete out of that love, so I pursued a degree in Environmental Studies and graduated in 2020. While in college, I became an environmental docent for the university and it made me realize how much I love teaching others about the natural world. Along with my love for nature, in my free time I enjoy rock climbing, going to the gym, playing video games, and going to concerts. I'm excited to connect with so many like-minded people and learn more about the world around us! around us!
Sarah: Program Specialist: Curriculum & Class Materials
Sarah grew up way out west in Washington State, where she acquired her BA in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. She’s been around the country using her degree in different ways, but she’s always come back to Camp McDowell. She strongly believes in the power of education and the power of the outdoors - put those two things together and BAM, what an impact Outdoor Ed can make! When it comes time to relax, you'll find Sarah tinkering with music, staring up at the stars, reading a good book, or enjoying her goofy friends.
Callie
Callie grew up on a farm in rural southwestern Washington where she spent her childhood exploring its vast woods, rivers, and fields. From a young age she's had a love for the outdoors and environmental sciences. When she got to college, she knew she wanted to continue to pursue this passion. She moved to southeast Idaho where she studied Biology and Earth Science Education. Some of her favorite memories she made there were studying glaciation in Montana/Wyoming and working as a teaching assistant for the biology department. She lived very close to the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks and spent many months exploring and learning everything she could about them. She is the happiest when she is outside, sharing her love of nature and its sciences with others. In her downtime, she loves to play guitar, write, watercolor paint, and try out new recipes in her kitchen.
Eric
Howdy! I’m Eric, and I am a native Alabamian who very recently graduated from The University of Alabama. When I was a kid, I was convinced that when I grew up I was going to be a genuine cowboy from the Old West, knowing even back then that a traditional job just wasn’t something that I was looking for. A couple of childhood summers spent at Glacier National Park in Montana solidified that dream for me, and gave me a deep respect and love for the natural wonders of our world. Once I got to college and learned there wasn’t exactly a degree they could offer me in cowboy-ism, I figured I’d marry my passions for nature, law, and conservation by pursuing a career in Green Criminology. McDowell is the first opportunity I’ve found that allows me to chase this dream and hopefully make some new friends along the way! In my free time you can either find me exploring outside, in the kitchen mastering my amateur-chef skills, or at my computer creating/editing short films and videos. I can’t wait to begin a brand new chapter of my life at the MEC!
Nate
Nate grew up in the Birmingham area. I am a recent graduate from the University of Montevallo with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies. I have always loved the outdoors, hiking, and fishing. I spent many weeks attending, planning and coordinating activities for retreats at Living River Retreat on the Cahaba in Montevallo, Alabama and at Montreat Conference Center in Montreat, North Carolina. I also attended Camp McDowell in middle school and had a great time, of course! I look forward to exploring the outdoors and teaching students about our environment this Spring!
Robert
Hey everyone! My name is Robert, I'm an Alabama native with a deep love for everything outdoors and a long lasting connection to the forests of Bankhead. After graduating from The University of the South with a degree in Environmental Arts and Humanities I have traveled the country working in environmental education and I am so thankful to return to Alabama to continue to learn and teach in such a wonderful place. In my down time I love to read, write, canoe, and explore.