Our Family

Jeremy Miller:

Program Director

Jeremy Miller holds a Masters Degree in Environmental Science from Antioch University New England and is a credentialed High School Biology Teacher. He has been an educator since 1994 and has served as an outdoor educator, curriculum designer, and lead teacher at outdoor science schools in Colorado, California, Oregon, New York and Switzerland. Jeremy enjoys gardening, backpacking, ultimate frisbee, and singing nonsense songs to his two daughters, Zia and Tali.

Samantha Zangrilli:

Public Relations Representative

Samantha Zangrilli obtained her Bachelors Degree from Chico State in Environmental Politics. Her passions are bicycle riding, crafting and farming. She currently works at California Organic Flowers as a day job and is the founder and coordinator for the Chico Bicycle Music Festival. She is happliy married with two dogs, one cat, three pigs and 35 sheep and goats.

Marcie Holmes: 

Administrative Manager/Instructor

With a B.S. degree in Health Science Education and passion for the environment, Kids andCreeks is a natural place for Marcie. She strives to educate and empower youth to build positive relationships with our natural world. She loves taking kids outdoors and letting their minds expand... The concepts and knowledge permeate into their minds just as effortlessly as the first rays of sunshine penetrate into their skin. Marcie enjoys hiking mountains in the moonlight, baking and riding her bicycle.

Scott Itamura:

Program Coordinator

Scott Itamura earned a B.A. degree in Liberal Studies from CSU Chico and a teaching credential from Chapman University. For over twenty years, he has been an educator to a wide array of students. Scott has taught pre-school, elementary, Junior High, High School, outdoor and senior wellness classes.
In 2005 Scott volunteered with Kid's and Creeks and has been with the program ever since. Currently he serves as the Education/Curriculum Director. Scott is also employed by Butte County Office Education. Scott loves music, art, food, friends, outdoors and his dog “Kawa.”

Kurt Gieger:

Resident Naturalist/ Instructor

When Kurt is not on the trails with Kids and Creeks, he is studying and working towards his degree in Wildlife Biology. As a wildlife photographer and writer, Kurt is creating his first native plant and animal field guide. Kurt is a father of two Carter,10 and Madison, 9.

Ali Knight:

Native American Cultural Advisor/Instructor

Cliff Marshall:

Native American Cultural Advisor/Instructor

Melissa "Texas" Patterson:

Instructor

Melissa "Texas" Patterson graduated from Texas State University San Marcos with a B.S. in Biology before moving to Chico where she completed her M.S. in Botany. In addition to working as an instructor at Kids and Creeks, she teaches Plant Science at Butte College. Texas also plays fiddle and cello in local bands.

Desi Hatton:

Instructor

Desi attended California State University, Chico and wrote her own major, combining her two passions of Cultural Change and Environmental Justice. During her time at the university, she worked as the Compost Education Coordinator for AS Recycling and became certified in Environmental Education. Desi enjoys working with Kids and Creeks because she loves working with kids and teaching them how to be good stewards of the land. Desi loves her cats, local food, bicycling and the band Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros. One of Desi's dreams is to hike the Pacific Crest Trail.

Lucia Pinotti:

Instructor

Lucia Pinotti is new to Kids and Creeks this year and is ecstatic to be working in an outdoor classroom again. She is currently an Intervention Aide at Sherwood Montessori School, working with a remedial reading program and math intervention for K-8 students. She has worked in outdoor education for six years and is the former director of Butte Creek Outdoor Classroom. She would love to start her own outdoor classroom someday, focusing on educating youth about the importance of growing food. In her free time, she enjoys riding her bicycle, picking seasonal fruit, and composting.