Katie Lannon
​Education

As the sun set on January 14, 2020 - another light left us as well. Katie Lannon was just 34 years old when she lost her battle with cancer.

In 2007, Katie came to our office as a college student to interview us for a class project. By the time she left, we knew we had to have her on board. She became a part of our staff, and our family,  in many ways and for many years.

First an instructor for our summer camps, Katie was part of a legendary 2007 summer crew. She instructed for our youth camp as well as the Condor Wilderness Camp for teens. She returned for the 2008 season to work with youth. In the summer of 2009 she tried her hand as an office assistant, but jumped in to help us cover a week of camp when we were unexpectedly down an instructor. In 2010, she became an intern for six months with Education and Outreach, and the following year interned for our Condor Restoration Crew. Needless to say, by this point Katie knew Ventana Wildlife Society inside and out. When a full-time position became available with Education and Outreach in 2012, Katie jumped all over it – but we had her for less than a year before we had to share her with a little bun in the oven. With big changes ahead and her heart calling her north, Katie left for Canada. When she returned to us at the very beginning of 2016 to resume her work as Education Coordinator, life had changed. She brought with her little Liam, who lit up the space around him with a buzzing energy, infectious laughter, and an irresistible enthusiasm for life – just like his mother. A new addition to her favorite things listed in her VWS bio - belly laughs.

During off seasons from VWS, Katie spent her ​time traveling and learning about sustainable agriculture from the Trinity River valley to North Wales. She was also a K-8 instructor at Jones Valley Teaching Farm in Birmingham, Alabama.
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Katie led and supported groups of all ages on educational science trips extending up to two weeks in backcountry wilderness, on small farms, and at our local beaches and hiking trails. Her driving passion was to see students get caught in moments with the natural world. As a mother, Katie's sense of duty to inspire environmental stewards grew stronger than ever. Katie once again moved on from VWS in September 2017, although she kept in touch and occasionally stopped by to say hello.

Below is an excerpt from her goodbye letter to us that year:
Since my first camp summer ten years ago, Andrew Molera State Park has been a second home for the most important parts of myself. I will remember lessons you taught me and times shared with wonderful people there forever. I have been the persistent boomerang of VWS, but the time has come in my life and career to establish a trajectory of increasing stability for Liam and myself. It has been an honor to work with people whom I admire and respect, to gain trust as my currency with students that have more to offer the world than has been given to them. This position has been overwhelming at times, and always humbling and fulfilling. Thank you for the time and opportunities you have given me over the past decade. Especially for extending this latest role to me in a vulnerable time in my life. I will be moving on to a career as a biologist, working on local large-scale habitat restoration projects. But I will always be a coyote mentor. My deepest gratitude, Katie Lannon

Our deepest gratitude to you Katie – for everything that you brought to our lives, and the lives of all the others you influenced.