Alena Porte

Education and Outreach Manager

Ventana Wildlife Society
9699 Blue Larkspur Ln, Ste 105
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 800-7421, fax (831) 455-2846
​[email protected]

• Bio
• Areas of Expertise

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Alena is an educator dedicated to providing meaningful outdoor experiences to the community through a variety of programs with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. She began working with VWS in 2004 as a seasonal summer camp instructor and a few months later joined the organization full time as the Education and Outreach Program Manager. Coming to VWS with seven years of experience in outdoor science education and five years of program development and management, Alena has grown the program from serving 350 each year to over 1,200. A native of the East Coast, Alena received a BSE in Recreation and Outdoor Education, with a focus on natural interpretation, from SUNY (State University of New York) Cortland. Her prior work experiences include four years as a Special Education Teacher for young adults at the California Autism Foundation in Richmond, CA; a year in commercial recreation leading hikes, life guarding, youth programs and corporate team building activies at the Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, NY; four seasons as a Camp counselor, Lifeguard, and Water Front Director at Camp Scully, Wynantskill, NY. She spent four months abroad working for the YMCA of Belize where she developed educational programs for youth, subsitute taught for remedial school, life guarded and provided swim instruction to youth and adults, Other experiences include natural science education at Five Rivers Nature Center, including pond ecology and maple sugar production (Mmmm!) and independent educational services for river boat cruise passengers on the ecology of the Hudson River. Through her work over the years in commercial, theraputic and outdoor recreation as well as education, Alena has accumulated experiences working with all ages from infant to adult, including individuals with special needs and behavioral challenges. Alena is trained in Adult/Child/Infant CPR, Wilderness First Aid, and holds a commercial driver's license. 

 Outdoor Education
 Natural Interpretation
 Youth & Family Education
 Recreation
​ Program Development and Delivery
​ Grant Writing
​ Interagency Partnership Development