Who We Are

Museum Staff

Garrett McCown
Administrative Assistant

Garrett grew up near the warm waters in Southern California. He graduated from UCSC with a degree in Environmental Studies, specializing in plant science. As a student, he was an intern at the Arboretum and an independent researcher at the Greenhouses on UCSC campus. He has helped in the research about the morphology of clovers, and has also studied the art of grafting trees. He fuses his knowledge about the natural world and his passion for teaching, which makes the museum the perfect place for him. When not at the SCMNH, he works at the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, goes surfing, creates music, or pursues his new hobby of becoming a master woodworker.

Jaime Karaszewski
Outreach Coordinator

Jaime was raised in coastal Southern California, where she developed an interest in science and nature while exploring the foothills on horseback.  She graduated from UC San Diego with a degree in Biological Anthropology. Prior to joining the museum staff, she studied monkey behavior in South America, helped run a captive breeding program for endangered birds in the Channel Islands, and worked for an environmental education nonprofit in San Francisco.  Her career has followed the path of her evolving interests, from behavioral biology to conservation to education and public outreach. When not at the museum, Jaime spends her time hiking, baking, knitting, and volunteering at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve, where she is trying to learn as much as possible about native plants.

Tremain Jones
Museum Associate

Tremain helps in the preparation, installation and maintenance of exhibits. This includes assisting in managing the museum collections. Tremain is also responsible for promotions and planning special events. Tremain grew up just a few blocks away from the San Francisco Bay in East Palo Alto.  From a young age, he had a keen interest in science and nature. He was a frequent visitor of the Baylands Preserve in Palo Alto and possessed an avid insight into the microscopic worlds of bacteria and algae, worlds unseen by the naked eye.  He later studied Chemistry and Anthropology at Foothill College where he earned an Associates Degree and then transferred to UC Santa Cruz, where he received a BA in Biological Anthropology. After Santa Cruz, Tremain traveled to the forests of Borneo, Indonesia, where he studied Orangutans in their native habitat.  When not at the museum, Tremain spends his time at the Santa Cruz Teen Center and working on independent film projects.

Lise Peterson
Operations Manager

Lise is the operations manager for the Santa Cruz Museum Association. She manages the business aspects of the museum association: buying for the gift stores, corresponding with members, and maintaining financial records. Lise was raised in Calaveras County, where her family operated a weekly newspaper--- a community institution. After many years of working at a name-brand corporation, Lise elected to join another community institution, the Museum of Natural History.  Outside her work at the Museum, Lise volunteers for the California Native Plant Society, has served on the board of Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, and is a dilettante birder. 

Kristen Van Kley
Education Manager

Kristen grew up in Michigan and attended Calvin College there in her hometown of Grand Rapids. Kristen developed her interest for natural history and field studies while earning a Bachelor’s degree in Geology. Upon graduation, Kristen began a career as an environmental and outdoor educator. She worked at a number of outdoor schools and wilderness adventure companies throughout the country, before landing here in Santa Cruz. Just prior to the museum, Kristen worked to develop and administer waste reduction and recycling education programs for the City of Santa Cruz Public Works Department. Kristen manages our school and public education programs, and brings to the museum a passion for experiential education, environmental stewardship, and the natural world.

Peter Wampler
Education Assistant

Peter was raised in the outskirts of Rochester, New York. It was here in the surrounding forests, that he began his lifelong love of the outdoors. While attending Calvin College as a history and archaeology student, this curiosity took greater shape as he began taking notice of environmental issues and the ideas of stewardship. This interest spring-boarded a career in environmental education that has meandered through two outdoor schools in central California. Professionally, Peter has also worked with adults and children with varying disabilities. Peter coordinates the Neary Lagoon Wetland Walk Program and assists with education programs at the museum. While his passions lie in education and environment, you may also see Peter around town riding his bike, out hiking, or checking out local music.