Meet the Blue Heron Nature Preserve Team
Andrew Lester
As a lifelong resident of Georgia, Andrew’s love for the environment began at an early age. He graduated from Young Harris College in 2013 with a B.S. in Outdoor Leadership, focused on experiential education and began teaching Environmental Education with Georgia 4-H in 2014.
Andrew continued to work in both formal and informal educational settings, while simultaneously pursuing his M.S. in Environmental Education from Montreat College, which he completed in 2019. He has been fortunate to share his knowledge and passion for the environment with children from schools across the Southeast; believing positive experiences, as well as accessibility to the community can aid in creating the next generation of environmental stewards.
In his free time, Andrew enjoys creating digital art, hiking and playing the guitar. He is excited to begin his next chapter as the Director of Education Programs with Blue Heron Nature Preserve!
Contact: 404.946.6394 Ext 3
educationprograms@bhnp.org
Sandy Layton
Sandy is an Atlanta native and her roots run deep in the community. A passion for her hometown has grown through the years and an awareness of the environmental challenges that now face her family and friends. Over the last 20 years in the non-profit world, she has developed a passion for all green spaces and how she can contribute to protect and preserve these rare jewels. Attending Georgia State University and remaining close to home has deepened her passion and commitment to work with like-minded individuals and welcomes the opportunity to work with Blue Heron. At home in Buckhead, she is raising her furry friends, hiking, enjoying adventure travel and spending quality time with meaningful relationships.
Daniel Walton
Daniel was born in Stuart,FL and spent much of his youth exploring the natural surroundings of the smaller inland town of Palm City. The picturesque stretches of pine forests, wetlands, and Florida coastline brought about his lasting love of plants and wildlife - especially aquatic species. Thanks to his family, visual art was introduced which led to the studies of painting, photography, and printmaking. His horticultural career development began upon arrival to Atlanta in 2001. He has since gained experience in the care of interior tropical plants, estate gardens, and most recently, as an assistant horticulturist at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
Sally Eppstein
Brookhaven based artist, Sally W. Eppstein finds her inspiration in the natural world for her writing, paintings, and sculptural works. Sally received an associate degree in jewelry design and silversmithing at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. She went back to her hometown to get her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Augusta University. Sally has five commissioned sculptures in three Metro Atlanta parks and downtown Hapeville, GA, and she has exhibited her paintings throughout the southeast US. She had two residencies, one at Vermont Studio Center and a year-long residency at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve.
