Biophilia Team
_JPG.jpg)
"Diamondback" Dalton Allen
President / Executive Director
Dallen@eowilsoncenter.org
Dalton was born in Panama City, FL, where his parents taught him to love the outdoors and everything that is a part of it. He went to Huntingdon College and earned a B.S. in General Biology while playing soccer and tennis for the college. After college, he started volunteering with the E.O. Wilson Center, where they offered him a job as an Environmental Educator/ Wildlife Biologist in September 2009. Dalton became the Assistant Director of the Center in 2018 and the Executive Director in 2022.
Cindy Eisaman
Vice President of Development
Cindy Eisaman is from Miami, Florida, and has 28 years of business experience in nonprofit and for-profit leadership. Cindy is proud to be a part of the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center team as our new Vice President of Development. She is committed to helping preserve our natural resources as well as protect animals in their natural habitat.
She has a deep love for animals and their environment. As former Vice President of Development for Zoo Miami, she has experienced in raising funds for environmental causes, animal welfare, and children’s educational programs. Cindy is a licensed professional fundraiser, specializing in individual & corporate giving, capital campaigns, annual funds, planned giving, and comprehensive campaigns for major gifts and grant development.
_JPG.jpg)
"Armadillo" Ashlyn Stanford
Assistant Director / Environmental Educator
Birds of Prey Handler/ Mammal Handler
Astanford@eowilsoncenter.org
Ashlyn is a Okaloosa County native, graduating for Fort Walton Beach High School and completing an Associates Degree from Northwest Florida State College. She found a love for animals early on and continued her passion while volunteering for the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge on Okaloosa Island. She continued her education and acquired a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Studies from Florida State University. While in Tallahassee she continued to do her part by volunteering with the Florida Wild Mammal Association in Crawfordville before joining the amazing team here at the E.O Wilson Biophilia Center. In her free time she surrounds herself with more nature by paddle boarding with her dog Truman, scuba diving, and trekking the beautiful local trails.
_edited.jpg)
“Panther” Pam Carter
Office Manager
Pam is a native Floridian and has lived in Holmes County all her life. She came to work with the Biophilia Team as the Office Manager in March 2023. She brings with her over 20 years of office and financial experience earned in an Educational Consortium. She loves the beauty of nature and all it brings. She also loves spoiling all the office pets that come to the center from time to time.
"Turtle" Bob Walker
Environmental Educator
Florida Natural History Guru/ Director of Herpetology
Turtle Bob grew up in south Florida with the Everglades close by. This started his life long affinity for being a naturalist in the company of alligators, snakes, frogs, and of course turtles. In 2007 he came to Nokuse plantation to expand his work by studying the gopher tortoise and working on rescue and relocation projects. In 2009 he also became employed at the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center and is now living his dream by spending his days with reptiles, amphibians, and young people that share his enthusiasm of natural history.
"Bluegill" Jill Southerland
Volunteer Coordinator
Environmental Educator/Mammal Director
Jsoutherland@eowilsoncenter.org
Jillian has lived in Freeport since 2000, a Freeport High School graduate. Her passion for animals led her to work at a local veterinarian and equestrian center. In 2008 she graduated from University of West Florida with a degree in Special Education and Elementary Education. After teaching in Gulf and Walton County she came to the Biophilia Center where she is an Environmental Educator and Volunteer Coordinator. Jillian enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, kayaking and photography.
_JPG.jpg)
"Mushroom" Matt Hamilton
Environmental Educator
Mhamilton@eowilsoncenter.org
Matt joined the Biophilia team in November 2019. A Massachusetts native, Matt graduated from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry with a B.S in Conservation Biology in 2016. Focusing primarily on aquatics, Matt worked for the New York Department of Environmental Conservation rehabilitating Muskellunge populations, performing habitat assessments, analyzing water samples, and performing population dynamic surveys in upstate New York. Matt followed up this work with the Nature Conservancy, working on Piping Plover nesting survival, and assessing the efficacy of Long Island culverts in the face of rising sea levels. Now part of the team, Matt will be working within the birds of prey program; and focusing his teaching on water testing and aquatic remediation.
"Blue Jay" Jenn Asuncion
Environmental Educator
Jennifer is an Environmental Educator and assists with the Reptile Program at the Biophilia Center. She grew up in the Mid-Atlantic (Dela-where?), arrived in South Florida after Hurricane Andrew and eventually relocated to South Walton County with her family. Jennifer spent many years leading environmental education tours of the Indian River Lagoon on the Treasure Coast, teaching about the ecological biodiversity of one of the largest and most diverse estuary systems in Florida while working at a marine science center. Jennifer has her Master Naturalist and Master Wildlife Conservationist Certifications from the University of Florida. Jennifer loves to travel, hike and spend time on the water, especially on the coastal dune lakes near her home.
"Hummingbird" Haleigh Sawrie
Environmental Educator
Hsawrie@eowilsoncenter.org
Haleigh is an Oklahoma native who moved to Florida in March 2020 after earning her degree in Elementary Education from The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Having always been a nature lover, Haleigh began looking for opportunities to get involved in Florida’s expansive wildlife scene. In her searches, she discovered the E.O. Wilson Center and promptly reached out to become a volunteer. While volunteering, she quickly recognized her affinity for nature and inclination for educating were seamlessly paired through the Center’s program. After teaching in Walton County she soon transitioned to an Environmental Educator and Camp Coordinator for the Biophilia Center. Haleigh cherishes her time working with students and helping foster an appreciation for nature.
.jpg)
"Salamander" Sarah Armbruster
Environmental Educator
Sarah is a South Carolina native who relocated to the Florida Panhandle in 2019 after previously living in 11 states. Upon completing 6 years in the U.S. Army, Sarah served on an AmeriCorps Veterans Fire Crew and spent 2 years as a Florida State Park Ranger, which sparked her love of teaching and sharing her passion for all living things. While volunteering at the Biophilia Center, Sarah discovered her dream of inspiring young minds to cherish the natural world. Sarah loves to scuba dive, snorkel, travel, and whitewater kayak.
