Amanda Colley

Amanda joined the Housatonic Valley Association as Environmental Education Coordinator in April 2026. She grew up with the Ten Mile River in her backyard and is passionate about connecting people to our lands and waterways. Amanda earned a B.S. in Environmental Science with a concentration in Biology from the University at Albany SUNY. Over the past 15 years, her work in the environmental/outdoor education field has taken her across the United States from New York to New Hampshire, Maine, Colorado, California, and Washington State, as well as internationally in Australia. Her work has included designing and leading hands-on environmental programs, coordinating multi-day outdoor experiences, and mentoring educators and students. She has also served as head trainer and supervisor for teams of environmental/outdoor educators, supporting teams in developing field skills, safety practices, social-emotional learning, and effective teaching techniques. Throughout her career, Amanda has focused on creating engaging, place-based educational experiences that connect people of all ages to their local environment. Her work centers on fostering curiosity about the natural world, building meaningful connections to land and water, and inspiring stewardship of forests, rivers, and wildlife habitats. In her free time, Amanda loves spending time outdoors paddling, backpacking, and rock climbing. She also enjoys playing guitar, finding local live music, and playing board games on a rainy day.