Staff

Meet the Staff

Maggie Regan

Nature Programs Manager Jan 2023-Present

We are so excited to welcome our newly appointed Nature Programs Manager, Maggie Regan! Much of Maggie’s professional work has been steeped in empowering diverse communities towards health through gardening and nature connection. She has created opportunities for both school-aged children and the public to connect not just with the gardens, but also with the pollinators who depend on them. Maggie’s commitment to bridging the gap between communities and the outdoors is a natural fit for Oxley Nature Center. She was born and raised right here in Tulsa and has been exploring the trails out here since she was a child.

Research Coordinator at OSU’s Center for Indigenous Health Research and Policy (where she worked as a on projects aimed at supporting the Indigenous food sovereignty movement.)
Director of Programs and Events at Tulsa Botanic Garden
Garden Educator and (later) the Program Director for Global Garden’s in-school programs

Judy LaFrance

Staff Naturalist

Mary Seaborn

Staff Naturalist, 2019-Present

Mary is the weekend staff naturalist at Redbud Valley Nature Preserve. She also leads full moon walks every month and guides the Junior Naturalist program. Beyond her work, she enjoys outdoor adventures with friends and family, gardening, writing, making art, and learning new things.

Bachelor of Arts, American Studies
Bachelor of Arts, English

Josh Smith

Staff Naturalist, 2021 - Present

Lisa Cobb

Staff Naturalist, August 2022 - Present

Lisa coordinates and teaches nature programs, assists with nature center upkeep, and coordinates volunteer recruitment and training. Her interests include succulent gardening, plant pressing, bird watching, resin jewelry making and painting, collecting minerals and fossils, and building Lego sets.

Educator and Volunteer Manager at Tulsa Zoo from 2017-2022
Bachelor of Science in Biology, Minor in Chemistry from Northeastern State University, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Associate of Science in Biology from Tulsa Community College, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Past or Retired Staff

Eddie Reese

Director 2003-August 2022

Eddie is in charge of nature center administration, teaching/interpreting natural and cultural aspects of Oklahoma, habitat management, and fixing broke stuff.

His interests include primitive skills, archer, black powder gun building and shooting, historical re-enacting – 1820s-1840s fur trade, gardening, traditional woodworking, and birding.

Natural Resources Coordinator 1996 to 2003
Staff Naturalist 1990 to 1996
Seasonal Naturalist 1987 to 1990
B.S. in Secondary Science Education
B.S. in Wildlife Ecology Research and Management, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma

Amy Morris

Staff Naturalist, 2000-2022

Amy coordinates the nature center’s interpretive programs and special events, edits Oxley Nature Center’s Newsletter.

Her interests include wildlife habitat gardening, photography, traveling, and natural history.

Small Mammal Curator, zookeeper at the Tulsa Zoo & Living Museum 1979 to 2000
B.S. in Wildlife Ecology with emphasis in Communications, Minors in Journalism and Public Relations Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma

Vinnie Robinson

Natural Resources Coordinator
2003 to 2021

Vinnie maintains Oxley’s natural resources, which include more than 1000 acres of wildlife habitat and over 11 miles of trails. He coordinates the volunteer staff (individuals, scouts, civic groups) who adopt trails, do habitat restoration and maintenance, and facility repair and improvements.

His interests include sketching and painting, woodworking, and music.

Associate in Liberal Arts Eastern Oklahoma State University, Wilburton, Oklahoma

Donna Horton

Senior Staff Naturalist 1988 to 2013

Staff Naturalist 1983 to 1988

Certified Interpretive Guide, National Association for Interpretation
B.S. in Botany, with an emphasis in Environmental Management and a minor in Environmental Education, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio

Her interests include traveling, geocaching, letterboxing, sewing, reading, gardening, martial arts, watching and counting butterflies, and all kinds of natural history.

Susie Ruby

Staff Naturalist

Susie started as a volunteer 33 years ago. She was a Seasonal Naturalist for 3 years, then a Staff Naturalist for 10 years. She also lived at Redbud Valley as caretaker for 10 years. Finally, she has managed the popular Nature Store part-time for the last 10 years and has worked with many Visitor Center volunteers.