Staff

Gabi Esparza (She/Her),
Outreach Lead
Gabi grew up in what is now King County. While completing a degree in environmental science, she spent a year studying in Australia and developed a deep interest in environmental justice and habitat restoration. She graduated from Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon. Her other interests include sustainability, camping, nature walks, and concerts.

Nathan LeClear (He/Him),
Restoration & Education Program Lead
Nathan was born and raised in eastern Kansas. He has a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Emporia State University and a PhD in Plant Biology from the University of Texas at Austin. He has worked as a botanist on National Forest and Bureau of Land Management land in several western states and is enthusiastically discovering the beauty of Washington after making his home here in 2021. Gardening, music, outdoor exploration, and creative expression are among his hobbies.
Interns

Vikash Reddy (He/Him),
Teens in Public Service Intern
Vikash is SHADOW Lakes’s Teens in Public Service Intern (Nonprofit organization that helps get students connected to nonprofits) . Vikash is currently studying at the International School of Bellevue as a rising Junior and hopes to have a career in law. In his downtime, Vikash likes to read literature, take walks, and do Karate.

Caden Block
Shadow Habitat Intern
Volunteers

Ryan Zimmerman
Restoration Volunteer
Ryan began working on restoration projects at SHADOW in the summer of 2021. He is currently a university student studying Wildlife Biology at The University of Montana.
“I love doing restoration work and am fond of how quiet and peaceful Shadow Lake is.”

“Essie Muñoz.
Community Class Volunteer