Sandy Spakoff serves as a training and education specialist at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) National Conservation Training Center (NCTC). In this role, she develops and delivers training primarily within the area of co-designing conservation with – not for – communities; this includes, program planning and evaluation, visitor experience, and cultural responsiveness.

Sandy began her USFWS career at the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex. While at the refuge, she held the positions of Environmental Education Specialist and Visitor Services Manager. During her 30+ years with the agency, she has managed a variety of programs; developed and taught a wide assortment of courses; and facilitated the development of the USFWS Urban Wildlife Conservation Program’s Standards of Excellence.

Sandy applies her passion for conserving wildlife and their habitat and for fostering scientific literacy by contributing her expertise to advancing the USFWS goals for urban and rural wildlife conservation.