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Plainsboro Preserve
Meet the Staff
Sean Grace: Sanctuary Director

Sean Grace joined New Jersey Audubon (NJA) in 2005 as the Sanctuary Director of the Plainsboro Preserve.  His life-long interest in the natural world began as a child in Massachusetts, and he enjoys sharing that passion with others.  In 1999 he completed the Professional Residency in Environmental Education, a Graduate Certification offered at the Teton Science School in Jackson, Wyoming. He then worked as a wildlife biologist tracking moose, coyote, and elk in different studies in the mountains surrounding Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  Sean completed his Masters in Environmental Studies at the New Jersey School of Conservation, with a concentration in Environmental Education through Montclair State University. In 2001, Sean became Director for Wildlife Expeditions in Wyoming and trained a team of wildlife biologists that offered educational programs to the public on the wildlife and habitats of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem before relocating to New Jersey. In addition, Sean is an Eco-Travel Guide for NJA. Sean believes that fostering a connection with nature is important for individuals and communities and is excited to be here in  Plainsboro.


 

Melissa Craddock: Teacher Naturalist

 

Melissa Craddock joined NJAS in April 2009 as a Teacher Naturalist at Plainsboro Preserve. She earned a B.S. in Natural Resource Management from Rutgers University in 1998. After graduation, Melissa was hired as an endangered species biologist by the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey. During her seven years there, she worked closely with bald eagles, bobcats, vernal pool amphibians, American kestrels, and on various Citizen Science projects. Her main focus though was bats and she became the lead bat biologist for New Jersey. In 2007, Melissa became a New Jersey K-12 certified science teacher and began teaching biology and environmental science at Hackettstown High School.  Melissa then decided to combine her wildlife biology and formal teaching experience into a career in environmental education. Melissa continues to increase her natural history knowledge through reading, photography, and outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and rock climbing. She also has a strong passion for traveling and has spent time backpacking and hiking in the western US, Costa Rica, Peru, and Newfoundland. Recently, she returned from a trip to Africa to track mountain gorillas through the forests of Uganda and snorkeled with sharks, penguins, and sea lions in the Galapagos Islands.