Lead Naturalist

Richard “Octopus” Hernandez has been leading students on nature hikes since 2017. He has been a lifelong student of biological sciences, especially when it comes to marine ecosystems. Mr. Octopus grew up on the Central Coast, and is personally and professionally acquainted with many local species of marine birds, invertebrates, and fish. He began his career as a research assistant for a local environmental consulting firm, where he was regularly assigned to intertidal and subtidal biological surveys. Mr. Hernandez earned his BS in environmental science in 2017, which allowed him to be a part of local outdoor programs such as Camp KEEP, Rancho el Chorro, and Delphinus School of Natural History. Richard has been the Lead Naturalist for Delphinus School since 2021 and has made it a personal mission to increase environmental literacy among youth to promote behaviors that help protect our fragile ocean ecosystems.