MEET OUR TEAM
MAYME BOUY
Board Member
Mayme was born and raised in Savannah, and she still gets to call the dynamic Georgia coast her backyard. It’s where she thrives and has found a passion for education in the outdoors. She graduated with a B.S. in Outdoor Education and a minor in Environmental Science from Georgia College in 2017 and has since worked in environmental education and experiential education as a lead instructor with Lockerly Arboretum, North Carolina Outward Bound School, and Savannah Canoe and Kayak. She’s worked with a diverse range of ages, from 4 to 17, as well as with adults for 10 years. She loves educating through the senses in nature and creating space for folks to step out of their comfort zones and find “aha” moments, self-discovery, and growth. She is stoked to bring this unique learning style to Savannah with the city’s first Forest School, and she’s honored to be a part of the Tideland and SEEC teams. When she isn’t working, she’s paddling, biking, walking her dogs, and fostering relationships with the Southeastern landscape in her community.
JULIA EVANS
Board Secretary, Co-Founder
Julia, originally from Atlanta, settled in Savannah in 2019. After living and working for almost a decade in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, Baja, Panama and Costa Rica, she knew the southeast coast, with its marshlands and barrier islands, would be her landing spot. Julia is a Georgia Master Naturalist with a BS in Public Policy/Nonprofit Management, and over 10 years of outdoor adventure guide experience. She is passionate about introducing people of all ages to our natural environment, exploring with them and fostering a long lasting connection.
CARA HANSEN
Board Member, Co-Founder, Photographer and Logo Designer
Cara developed her love for nature growing up in the Finger Lakes region of New York, surrounded by
rolling hills, lakes, streams, and waterfalls. After earning her BFA at SCAD, she had the amazing
experience of living and volunteering at an elephant sanctuary in Sri Lanka. While there, she also taught
English and conservation to local children. Teaching left a lasting impression, and after returning to the
States, Cara earned her Master of Education. She taught for eight years in the public school system here
in Savannah, mostly in a child-centered Montessori environment. Now, Cara is enjoying raising her two
children with her husband and instilling in them the love and reverence for nature that she and her
husband share. She is thrilled to be participating in founding Tidelands Nature School and SEEC, as she
knows just how important it is to develop that deep connection to our natural world.
ERIC SWANSON
Board President, Co-Founder
Eric is an educator who has focused on teaching kids in the outdoors for over a decade. He relishes opportunities to learn with people of all ages and backgrounds and works to make our natural world more accessible. He enjoys birding, native plants and finding out what’s under rocks and logs. Eric is a father, husband and sometimes falconer.
JESS SWANSON
Board Treasurer, Co-Founder
Bio coming soon!