Vanessa van Heerden is the marine educator and community science specialist with UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. As a geospatial socioecologist and environmental educator, her work connects people and nature. In her current role, she instructs field, boat and laboratory coastal and marine educational programming. She also leads the coordination and development of community science programs and coordinates the center’s marine science summer camp programs.

Before joining the organization in June 2026, she served as the engagement specialist at Louisiana Sea Grant. There, she developed and led programming in coastal and marine education and science communication for thousands of K-12 students, teachers, university students and community members.

She earned her doctorate in oceanography and coastal sciences from Louisiana State University. She also holds bachelor’s degrees in biology and environmental science and resource management from California State University, Channel Islands.

A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she is passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for people to learn within and from natural systems while exploring their own curiosities about the world around them.