Closter Nature Center Closter Nature Center

Executive Director Riley Schwengel joined the Closter Nature Center in 2024. Originally from Rhode Island, Riley graduated from Bucknell University with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Behavior.  After college, Riley threw himself into the field of Conservation; first working as an Ecological Contractor in New Zealand and then spending a few years as a Park Ranger with the State Park Services in Rhode Island and Maryland.  Riley’s most recent position was as a Grant Coordinator with Cornell University. He is glad to be returning to work in conservation with the Closter Nature Center.  Riley lives in Sloatsburg, NY with his wife Aden and enjoys hiking the wonderful natural spaces that surround him.

Riley can be contacted at 201-614-4639 or at executivedirector@closternaturecenter.org

Naturalist Marc Gussen has been teaching at the Closter Nature Center for more than twenty years. Having taught hundreds of children and adults, he is affectionately known as “Nature Marc”. In 2017, Marc was awarded the Patricia F. Kane Environmental Education Award from New Jersey Audubon. Gussen has a Bachelor of Arts degree in applied ecology from Rutgers University.