Team BBTO

Martin LeBlanc, National Youth Education Director
Martin is the National Youth Education Director and also serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Children and Nature Network which is Chaired by Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods . Martin has had a passion for the outdoors since having his own life turned around through an outdoor experience as a teenager. Before working for the Sierra Club, Martin was an outdoor education advocate for Texas Parks and Wildlife in Austin, Texas and was also an outdoor educator for Youthnet a non-profit in Mount Vernon, Washington in the mid 90's. Martin believes "every child in America deserves their own special place in nature.

Michael Casaus, New Mexico Youth Representative
An avid backpacker, camper, angler and native of Silver City, New Mexico, Michael brings a wealth of experience to the position. He has been a grassroots organizer, community activist and scientific researcher for over a decade. After studying Biology and Anthropology from New Mexico State University, he attended Cornell University, where he is currently completing his PhD in Plant Biology/Ethnobotany. His graduate work in Mexico and Venezuela investigated the current state of traditional botanical and medical knowledge in a globalized world. Michael has been a strong advocate for economic and environmental justice, in addition to immigrant and workers rights. He is deeply passionate about improving the life opportunities available to communities of color, particularly in his Latino community.

Tiffany Saleh, California Youth RepresentativeTiffany represents the youth of California for Building Bridges to the Outdoors. Raised in the suburbs of San Diego, Tiffany knows first-hand how difficult it can be to balance the demands of the city with a desire to connect with nature. To fuel her own love of the outdoors, she studied Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology at UC Davis before working in wildlife rehabilitation in San Diego, and as an Education Specialist at the LA Zoo.

She later earned her graduate degree in Environmental Studies at the University of Montana, and developed a passion for environmental conflict resolution. Tiffany believes that reconnecting youth with their natural surroundings will inspire the next generation to a healthier, happier, greener future.

Jackie Ostfeld, National Youth Representative
Jackie is the National Youth Representative for the Sierra Club's Building Bridges to the Outdoors program. Jackie was formerly an outdoor environmental educator in South Carolina and California, where she spent years leading youth of all ages and backgrounds through educational nature walks and activities. Jackie believes that positive and plentiful outdoor experiences contribute to healthy development and empower youth to take meaningful actions to protect their environments. She also believes that policy makers and public officials have critical roles to play to ensure kids have opportunities to get outside. Jackie earned her Master's Degree in Global Environmental Policy from American University in Washington, DC, and has spent time assisting government and corporate whistleblowers hold their employers accountable to the public good.

Bill Vanderberg, Building Bridges to the Outdoors Lead Volunteer Coordinator
Bill is the dean of students at Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles as well as being the faculty advisor to Crenshaw's Eco Club. He has been an active member of the Sierra Club for the past eight years, with a particular interest in finding ways to make both the Club, and environmental issues, more relevant to minority communities. Bill believes this goal can best be achieved by engaging underserved youth in outdoor environmental experiences from which he hopes they gain a sense of ownership and responsibility of their natural environment, along with the many benefits kids get from playing in the dirt.

Juan Martinez, Building Bridges to the Outdoors Volunteer Youth Coordinator
Juan Martinez is a former at-risk youth from Los Angeles who had his life turned around through an outdoor experience when he was 15. After that experience at Teton Science School, Juan became an example of the positive effects an outdoor experience can have on youth. He was a leader on the Outward Bound Adventures Youth Advisory Council and has now made the transition to an on the ground activist working for the grassroots organization ACORN on affordable housing issues in his hometown of LA. Juan has shown excellent leadership in engaging young diverse people on environmental issues. He is now an executive committee member of the Sierra Student Coalition.