Kristie served as a volunteer animal caretaker and a junior naturalist for the Chico Creek Nature Center. She fell in love with Aspen, a silver ferret who could no longer safely in his natural habitat, so the Center set up a wonderful home for him inside the animal building. In memory of Kristie's dedication to the animals, the Center planted a Maple tree. Next to the tree is a memorial plaque with a picture of Kristie holding Aspen. The Center, located in Bidwell Park, built an interpretative center in 2010 that includes Kristie's Nature Lab, an environmental classroom for children in K-6th grades. Children learn about the natural wonders of Northern California and how to best preserve our environment. The lab includes a projectile microscope, wall mural depicting an area of the park, work stations, and plenty of room for the children to play as they learn. Play the video below of the Chico Creek Center that includes footage from Kristie's Nature Lab!
Here's a letter from Tom Haithcock, the director of the Nature Center, Kristie will be remembered.
At Champion Christian School, Kristie kept busy during her sophomore year. She was an honor student, class officer, basketball player and member of the track team. A classmates letter. In her freshman year, she also did cheerleading and was a stage hand for the school play. When she didn't get a part in the play, she decided to help out behind the scenes. She loved getting everyone dressed up for their next act.
In January 2002, Kristie was about one month away from going on her first mission trip where she would spend part of the time working in an orphanage in Costa Rica. Along with several other classmates and a teacher, she had planned this mission trip—a trip she had dreamed about since the eighth grade.
Sadly, Kristie never did realize this dream. Her passport arrived in the mail just weeks after the deadly pursuit that took her life. Her classmates, who did go on this trip, brought back a beautiful ceramic butterfly and assured me that "Kristie did make that mission trip."