Tilden Nature Area

Address: Tilden Nature Area, Berkeley, CA 94708-2396
Phone No.: (510) 544-2233
Email: tnarea@ebparks.org

Gail Broesder, Naturalist

Naturalist Gail, who started working for the EBRPD in 1994, is an interpretive naturalist with years of experience helping youth and their families understand and appreciate our natural world. Specializing in marine and aquatic education with an AA from the College of Alameda, a BS in Biology from San Francisco State and a MS in Education from Cal State University East Bay, she teaches in classrooms, on hikes, walks, beaches, mud flats, marshes, estuaries and boats. Gail has worked in just about all the wet areas around and continues to share her knowledge, working for other agencies as well as EBRPD, teaching about the environment.

Bethany Facendini, Naturalist

Bethany joined the East Bay Regional Park District team as a Naturalist in 2004; first as a Naturalist at the Crab Cove Visitor Center and now at the Tilden Nature Area. She earned her B.A. degree in English and Women's Studies from the University of California at Berkeley, and has completed significant course work in Environmental Education at San José State University. Bethany considers herself a lifelong student. Her career in interpretation includes positions at Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Natural Bridges State Beach and Año Nuevo State Reserve. In addition to her proficiency in the Spanish language, Bethany also brings a wide range of teaching experience with diverse populations. This includes her work with inner-city youth while serving with the AmeriCorps/Bay Area Youth Agency Consortium and extensive work with people with disabilities at Cabrillo Community College and nonprofit agencies.

Bethany is passionate about introducing people to the natural world and instilling a sense of environmental stewardship in people’s hearts. She enjoys traveling, gardening, backpacking, birding, and spending time with her family and friends in her free time. 

James Wilson, Naturalist

James joined the Park District as a volunteer with the Fisheries Department at age 7. He became a Tilden Junior Ranger at 9 years old, and joined the staff team as a Naturalist Aide in 2006. He was hired as a fulltime Naturalist in 2008. James earned a B.A. degree in Environmental Studies from the University of California at Santa Cruz, and has completed significant course work in Natural History, Science Communication, and Agro-Ecology. James’ previous work includes positions at the UC Santa Cruz Natural History Museum and California Department of Fish and Game. A 9-year lifeguard veteran, James has a love for high adventure and enjoys challenging kids to step outside their comfort zones.

James has boundless enthusiasm for facilitating safe nature “adventures,” big and small, for people young and old. From these simple encounters, he believes a world of respect and a sense of stewardship come forth. Along with nature-based programs, James has a deep respect for old-world domesticated plants and animals. He routinely harvests, collects, milks, propagates, clones, and shares all this knowledge and bounty with the public at large. He enjoys bicycling, backpacking, fishing, exploring, and having good old-fashioned adventures with family and friends.

Dave Zuckermann, Supervising Naturalist

Dave grew up in Berkeley, not far from Tilden Park, and excitedly began his career at Tilden Nature Area as an Interpretive Student Aide in 1983. He pursued interpretive work at Sacramento County's American River Parkway and LA Schools’ Outdoor Education Center in the San Gabriel Mountains before returning to the District in 1987. He has held Naturalist positions at Crab Cove, Ardenwood, and Tilden Nature Area, and also served in the District’s Fire Department for 10 years as a firefighter and officer. Dave was appointed Supervising Naturalist for Tilden Nature Area in 2005. He manages operations at the visitor center, Little Farm and the nature area in addition to overseeing interpretive programming for the District’s northwest sector. Dave still enjoys and finds time for some programming of his own, including the popular Over-the-Hills-Gang, Brooks Island tours, and the Tilden Junior Rangers youth program.

Back to top