Parks in Focus

Who We Are - Staff & Volunteers

Parks in Focus® relies on a small team of dedicated staff and volunteers to carry out its mission. For more information about internships, seasonal positions, and volunteer opportunities with Parks in Focus®, please contact Bret Muter at muter@udall.gov or (520) 901-8569.

2014 Parks in Focus Team

Bret Muter, Program Manager
Bret has more than 10 years of experience in leading outdoor and environmental education programming, and has helped coordinate Parks in Focus® programs around the country since 2006. He has a bachelor’s degree in environmental biology from Ferris State University and a master’s degree in fisheries and wildlife from Michigan State University. He is a 2005 Udall Scholar.

Courtney Bennett, Montana Trip Leader
Courtney is an avid nature and wildlife photographer who has spent several summers living and working in Glacier National Park. Courtney is currently studying wildlife biology at the University of Montana. This is Courtney’s second year working with Parks in Focus®.

Chad Burton, Michigan Trip Leader
Chad has lived in Michigan his whole life and grew up in a family that spent its time traveling, camping, hiking, and fishing. Chad has a bachelor’s degree in fisheries and wildlife from Michigan State University. This is Chad’s fourth year working with Parks in Focus®.

Joel Garcia, Arizona Trip Leader
Joel has more than five years of experience in coordinating recreation programming and more than two years of experience in leading outdoor trips and challenge course activities for the University of Arizona’s Student Recreation Center. Joel has a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Arizona.

Mackenzie Harrington, Grand Canyon in Focus Trip Leader
Mackenzie has extensive teaching experience working with Boys & Girls Clubs and the DREAM program in Vermont. She has also worked in Acadia National Park and Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. Mackenzie has a bachelor’s degree in plant biology from the University of Vermont.

Shah Hussein, California Trip Leader
Shah spent her childhood in California and developed an interest in environmental education while leading summer camp programs in Maine. Shah studied environmental policy, chemistry, and gender studies at the University of South Florida. She is a 2012 Udall Scholar.

Collin Whitsett, Oklahoma City Coordinator
Collin is an avid nature and wildlife photographer who is passionate about the roles photography and creative expression can play in conservation and environmental education. Having graduated from the Oklahoma City area with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, Collin is familiar with the state and all the great natural areas it has to offer.

Featured Volunteers

Dawn Reinhold, Michigan
Dawn is an assistant professor of biosystems engineering at Michigan State University. Dawn has volunteered with our Michigan program since 2009 and has logged more than 1,000 hours. She is a 2000-2001 Udall Scholar.

Jefferson Stensrud, Arizona
Jeff taught history and government at Canyon del Oro High School in Tucson, Arizona, for 28 years. He also worked for the National Park Service in Glacier National Park for seven summers as a seasonal naturalist/ranger. His current interests include hiking, wildlife observation, and music appreciation.

Rebecca Guiao, Montana
Rebecca is an environmental and natural resources attorney in Portland, Oregon, with interests in access to public lands and diversifying the outdoor recreational community. She has volunteered with Parks in Focus® in Washington and Montana since 2010. She is a 2008 Udall Scholar.

Claire Campbell, California
Claire interned with our Arizona program in 2013 and volunteered her time to help with our Yosemite program in 2014. Claire is currently pursuing a master's degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a 2012 Udall Scholar.