After earning a B.S. in Geology and a teaching certificate from Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO, Charlie spent over 20 years teaching science to students of all ages—from kindergarteners to adults—across multiple states. In 2022, he achieved his dream job, launching the SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab with the support of his students, family, Durango School District 9R, the City of Durango, and many community members, businesses, and organizations.

The vision: a garden-based educational facility that leverages the complex history and inspiring landscape of Durango to make sustainability education accessible, engaging, collaborative, impactful, and fun for all students and community members.  

When he’s not building and managing the SOIL facility or leading field trips, Charlie can be found exploring the outdoors—hiking trails, rafting rivers, or skiing. He also loves traveling and attending music festivals with his wife, his son, who recently started college, and his daughter, a student at Durango High School.

As the Garden Manager, Brooke oversees garden operations and connects SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab with the wider community, ensuring that SOIL is a thriving and accessible space for community gardeners, volunteers, partner organizations, and students. She comes to this role having taught programs at Brooklyn Botanic Garden as well as in school gardens and after-school nutrition programs in New York City and Portland, Oregon. Most recently, she worked in food security partnerships management at The Food Depot, northern New Mexico’s regional food bank. She holds a bachelor’s in Geography from Vassar College, a master’s in Food Studies from NYU, a Santa Fe Master Gardener certification, and a love for sustainable agriculture and local food movements. She is thrilled to be part of the growth and evolution of SOIL’s innovative garden programming.

Outside of SOIL, Brooke loves tending to her own houseplants and garden beds, exploring the rivers and meadows of the Rockies, reading poetry, and spending time with her husband, Cody, who grew up in Durango, and their spirited toddler, Heidi.

As an AmeriCorps member, Rachel will be serving with SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab for the 2024/25 school year. Her focus and knowledge supports the development of the Grow Dome, educational leadership on field trips and overall support and innovation at SOIL.