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Plainsboro Preserve
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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.
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