Meet the Blue Heron Nature Preserve Team
Kevin McCauley
Kevin McCauley is returning to the Executive Director role on an interim basis. Kevin retired after a 30-year business career culminating with 14 years at Home Depot. He left his corporate career in 2012 to pursue his passion for the environment full time at Blue Heron. He worked directly with the founder, Nancy Jones, in its formative years. Nancy was the dreamer. Kevin was the doer.
Over the past 20 years Kevin has been involved in Blue Heron in many capacities, from leading the organization to pulling invasives. He and his wife, Kim, have raised 2 children who have flown the coop happily with lives of their own. When not on his bike you will find him paddling up and down the Chattahoochee River, smile firmly planted on his face.
Contact: 404.946.6394
kevinm@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.
Contact: 404.946.6394 Ext 1
sandyl@bhnp.org
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.
Contact: 404.946.6394 Ext 3
educationprograms@bhnp.org
Chelsea Darling
Chelsea Darling has designed work for a wide array of industries and media since 2006. Graduate of the University of Georgia with a BFA in Graphic Design, she wields her visual and conceptual skills to communicate the mission of Blue Heron and inspire its supporters to action.
While not in the field photographing flowers and butterflies for the Blue Heron social media posts, Chelsea can typically be found forging ornamental ironwork, knitting her next favorite scarf, developing avant-garde recipes, researching curiosities of neuroscience or taking a nap with her cat.
Contact: 404.946.6394 Ext 4
chelsead@bhnp.org
Daniel Walton
Daniel was born in Stuart, Florida 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.
Contact: danielw@bhnp.org
Jen Barich
Jen is a native Atlantan who fondly remembers visiting the ducks in the pond that is now the Blue Heron wetland when she was a child. Never did she think that this spot she loved would one day be protected and become Blue Heron Nature Preserve, and that she would be lucky enough to work here!
While at Virginia Commonwealth University studying City Planning, Jen discovered a passion for whitewater on the James River. This quickly spread to whitewater raft guiding and canoeing on the Chattooga and Ocoee Rivers. After college, she moved to Colorado and guided on the Arkansas River and continued to learn about and explore the outdoors.
After moving back to Atlanta with her sons, she began working as an assistant teacher at a local Montessori school. A love of working with and learning from children coupled with passion for rivers and the outdoors led her to Blue Heron. She began working as a summer camp counselor and environmental educator. These positions have now grown into her being the Education Program and Volunteer Coordinator.
Jen loves the philosophy behind the education program at Blue Heron and thinks a great day involves letting kids explore their interests and play in nature.
In her time off, Jen loves spending time with her husband, kids and dogs, working in the yard, exploring and reading.
Contact: 404.946.6394 Ext 3
jenb@bhnp.org
