Red Oaks Founders

Get to know the Founders of Red Oaks and the unique skills, passions, education, and experience they have brought and continue to bring to the mission.

Tina Brouwer Kraska
Founder, Executive Director, Educator

I had this moment a few years ago that really deepened my love of nature and the outdoors. I was walking along Auxier Ridge with friends and my daughter when she ran off to feel the moss between her toes – this big cushy gorgeous green carpet – and begged me to join her. At first I said no, let's keep going, but she insisted and I reluctantly joined her. I stopped and felt the moss on my toes for the simple, pure joy of it. I understood then. I began to look at nature through a different lens – one that I stay mindful of as I deepen my connection to the world around me.  

I first fell in love with the Red River Gorge through rock climbing, which led me to the University of Kentucky where I earned my bachelor's degree in Natural Resource Conservation and a master's degree studying the behavior of Peregrine Falcons and the reintroduction of that majestic bird to the area. Working as a naturalist in Ohio and as a biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources gave me many opportunities to reach out to the public and work together to protect our natural resources. I have continued to care and invest in this area through stewardship, citizen science, and continuing my education by completing a Southern Appalachian Naturalist certification, which provides needed interpretive skills for reaching our youth and community about the importance of conservation. I am excited to share these experiences and to explore nature and the arts with as many people as I can. 

I currently teach and lead STEAM, Forest Families, Forest Friends, Adventures, Conservation Club, Birding Club, and Taking Flight Next Level.

HANNAH HARRIS
Founder

I grew up in a family of painters, writers, and biologists, so pairing the arts and sciences has always made perfect sense to me. In college, I studied metal sculpture right alongside biology and psychology, and then went on to get a master’s degree in Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development. I first fell in love with the mountains of Eastern Kentucky when I moved here to study recolonizing black bears as part of my PhD research at the University of Kentucky. Since finishing my degree, I have worked as an educator and freelance author, writing articles demystifying science and technology. From art to activism, my parents raised me to believe that everyone has the ability to make a positive and meaningful impact on their world. That's an important lesson I try to share with both my own children and my students. I know firsthand the impact kids can make; I've been involved in animal rescue and wildlife rehab since I was a teenager and helped to start a nonprofit that still exists today – more years later than I like to think about! As an adult I volunteered as a wilderness search and rescue canine handler and first responder, and I have spent the last decade coordinating with animal welfare groups to help municipal shelters in Eastern Kentucky. I have experience working with at-risk youth, including as a long-time volunteer with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and I have taught at levels ranging from early elementary to college. I am so excited to be a part of Red Oaks as we empower kids to make a difference!

I currently create the content for Mighty Acorns and provide support for the organization.

MELISSA RUDICK
Founder

Before settling in Lexington, Kentucky, I lived for three years in Switzerland with my husband and two daughters. My eldest daughter was able to participate in a waldspielgruppe (forest playgroup), starting at age three. We would bundle her up in all her gear and drop her off with her teacher and classmates. We’d pick her up in the afternoon, dirty and tired, but also exhilarated by the adventures and fun she had experienced in those Swiss woods. When we moved back to the United States, I wanted to make sure I continued these outdoor adventures on a regular basis. Luckily for me, I met Tina and we began the journey of Red Oaks in 2014.

I have a master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in child mental health and development. I spent over 8 years working with children and their families as they dealt with issues of poverty, family violence, addiction, and mental illness. I was able to see firsthand the resiliency of children and the importance of community in mitigating these issues. My goal is to bring some of this background to Red Oaks and to provide opportunities for children in Eastern Kentucky to tap into the healing power of nature.