Mary McKinley retiring as Executive Director
After serving as the Ogden Nature Center’s Executive Director since 2003, Mary McKinley will be retiring on July 1.

Mary McKinley’s visionary leadership and notable accomplishments over the last 19 years brought many positive changes to the Ogden Nature Center. Environmental education programs and community events grew dramatically during Mary’s tenure, better meeting Utah’s needs for nature education, and improving access to, and connection with, nature. In recent years a site master plan was completed, and education outreach programs expanded to reach all corners of Utah as a part of the Utah Board of Education’s iSEE (Informal Science Education Enhancement) program.

Mary oversaw improvements to the nature preserve and facilities including the addition of the LS Peery Education Center, new eagle enclosures, new ponds and gardens, entryway and parking lot improvements, robust habitat restoration work, the installation of solar panels powering 100% of the center’s electricity needs, as well as the addition of 25 acres to the north end of the preserve. One of the projects that has brought a big smile to Mary is the LS Peery Nature Nook Playscape, a nature playground, which was completed in 2021.

Mary has been happy to perform any task needed, from chasing weed-control goats while dressed up for the center’s annual fundraising dinner, to showing up as a banana for the annual Creatures of the Night event. For many years Mary was the only staff member willing to hold the center’s tarantula. And of course, the 5K Fun Run will not be the same without Mary greeting the runners in her funny mushroom-shaped hat.

The Ogden Nature Center’s Board of Directors has chosen Jonathan Creel as the next executive director after conducting a national search.

An avid hiker, aspiring packrafter, and enthusiastic birder, Creel comes to Ogden from Los Alamos, New Mexico where he helped guide the strategic vision for the Pajarito Environmental Education Center and led the exhibit design process for a new nature center. Most recently, Jonathan directed public engagement for the Manhattan Project National Historical Park at Los Alamos National Laboratory and led the development of the Lab’s new Challenge: Tomorrow science outreach program. Early in his career, he was fortunate enough to serve as a park ranger in some of our most iconic national parks—Yellowstone and Grand Canyon. Jonathan says, “I am honored to join the team at Ogden Nature Center and thrilled to share my passion for nature at such a treasured community organization.”

Jonathan will assume the reins of the organization on July 2.

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