Tanish Peelgrane

Having the good fortune to call both Australia and the United States home has given Tanish a lasting interest in the diversity of ecosystems, cultures and the ways they intersect.

For decades, she spent both her work and personal time exploring the outdoors. Whether climbing and skiing in the Andes and Rockies, running rivers in the United States, New Zealand and Central America, sailing across oceans, crossing deserts, diving on coral reefs or traveling through rainforests, she was continually drawn to new landscapes and experiences. Along the way, she also taught in classrooms, bringing that same spirit of exploration to education.

Today, Tani is more likely to be found on mini-expeditions around the San Francisco Bay Area with her young daughter, exploring the small ecosystems that often go unnoticed. She still finds time for larger adventures, particularly scuba diving, which she has enjoyed since age 11. She views education and exploration as closely connected and believes opportunities for discovery can be found almost anywhere.

An award-winning photographer, Tani is also an angler for the California Collaborative Fisheries Research Program (CCFRP). Her primary professional focus is teaching STEMM communication skills and environmental sustainability. She works with universities, nonprofit organizations, companies including Google, Meta, Netflix and Disney, and a variety of governmental agencies. Through her work with the California Academy of Sciences, she developed citizen science programs for underserved youth, helping provide opportunities to explore, understand and engage with the natural world.