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Mentor Information 

Zia Schatz
Jason Lopiccolo
Jody Weseman
Trista Dowdy
Alex Kovary
Morgan Knechtle
Domenic Guidice
Rosemary Romero
Crystal Robnson
Amelia Fleitz
Annyssa Interrante
Duncan McIntosh
Miles Raymond
Kaitlyn Woolling

WSP Staff 

 

Zia Schatz  

Program Manager for the Watershed Stewards Program  

Mentor since 2014 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging environmental professionals? 

Corpsmembers that are clarifying their personal and professional life path bring a passion to the workplace that is refreshing and regenerating each new term. Team Leaders are in a unique role, supporting Corpsmembers that are in the field and taking the time to help each one connect to the overarching WSP mission. Watching Team Leaders engage with students and the public through outreach events, classroom lessons and field trips is very rewarding. Their diligence and bravery in approaching teaching is amazing to witness. 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization? 

WSP as a special program of the California Conservation Corps and an AmeriCorps program is a uniquely run organization with plenty of opportunity for collaboration with staff and professional development. Watching Team Leaders grow in this unique environment gives me endless appreciation for their service and heart. Team Leaders contribute diverse and fresh perspectives on program goals, as well as provide a model of willingness and positive action for our environment. 

 

 

 

Jason Lopiccolo 

Program Coordinator, Region I for the Watershed Stewards Program 

Mentor since 2021 

  

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging environmental professionals? 

I’ve had the tremendous fortune of getting to mentor young professionals in the Natural Resources field both as an educator, teaching college lab courses in the biological sciences, and now helping to oversee WSP as the Program Coordinator for Region I and Mentor to the two WSP Fortuna Team Leaders. The most rewarding part of this is helping mentees find out what they’re passionate about and connecting them to the resources they need to realize their professional goals in a meaningful and fulfilling way. 

  

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization? 

As a professional development program for Corpsmembers, they really are at the “core” of what we do. WSP staff are able to offer a wide breadth of organizational and institutional support for Corpsmembers, but they’re the ones that are out there doing the important, boots-on-the-ground work that makes WSP such a success. The Team Leaders placed at WSP offices act as important liaisons for WSP staff and other Corpsmembers and help to make WSP run smoothly. 

 

 

 

Jody Weseman 

Program Coordinator, Region II for the Watershed Stewards Program 

Mentor since 2011 

  

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging environmental professionals? 

I enjoy helping young leaders develop their professional voice and increase their capacity as resourceful community activists. I have the honor to work with driven, passionate, and articulate individuals who inspire me to grow further each year. I embrace my opportunity to provide WSP Corpsmembers with a platform to educate Californians about our fragile ecosystems and provide meaningful outlets to truly address climate change. 

  

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization? 

As a WSP staff member/Mentor since 2011, I can say with certainty that WSP Corpsmembers drive WSP, and Team Leaders assist staff in steering! It is reinvigorating to onboard new Corpsmembers each year and feed off the optimistic/motivated energy of our younger generations. Together we create a wonderful community of environmental stewards. 

 

 

 

Trista Dowdy 

Office Manager for the Watershed Stewards Program 

Mentor since 2011 

  

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging environmental professionals? 

In my current position with WSP I don’t act as a direct Mentor to WSP Members, I work behind the scenes with WSP Staff at the Fortuna Office to keep the program swimming along. The most rewarding part of my job, is knowing that the work I’m doing is helping to support a program that provided me and hundreds of other young professionals with immense mentorship, skills, and knowledge.   

  

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization? 

I was fortunate enough to serve two terms with WSP as a Team Leader in the Fortuna Office (YR. 24 & 25) before I became the Office Assistant in August 2019. Without WSP Members, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Serving with WSP has given me the knowledge and skills to be successful in my current staff position with the program. WSP has made a significant impact on my life, both professionally and personally. Today, I come to work each day thankful for the opportunity to work for a program that continues to provide strong mentorship and experiences for young professionals.   

 

 

 

Alex Kovary

Materials Manager for the Watershed Stewards Program  

 

  • How long have you been working with the Watershed Stewards Program? 

I joined the WSP staff in April of 2023 as the Materials Manager. My position helps to facilitate the organizing, ordering, and distributing gear and materials to WSP Corpsmembers. I served 2 terms with AmeriCorps at Rocky Mountain National Park, and went on to become a Biological Science Technician with the Parks Service after I completed my terms. I know first hand how important programs like WSP are for helping young professionals reach their goals in the restoration field. I am excited to work with Corpsmembers to make sure that their needs are met and hope to make a positive impact on their experience in the program.

 

 

California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Yreka 

 

Morgan Knechtle 

Senior Environmental Scientist Specialist

Mentor since 2007  

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

It is very fun to observe the Members grow during the year and follow their development after completing their year of service. Participating at the Watershed Awareness Volunteer Event (WAVE) is very rewarding when the Member successfully accomplishes their goal. Seeing a Member take full ownership of their WAVE, largely an independent project, and succeeding is very rewarding to witness. 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

Members bring an enthusiastic attitude to the office and generally a “can do” attitude. This is very refreshing in a challenging natural resource environment. The Members annually bring a shot of energy to the office and their presence helps lift the energy of the team.   

 

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Domenic Guidice  

Klamath River Project at California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Yreka 

Mentor since 2018 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

As a mentor I enjoy introducing new members to the joys and challenges of fisheries work. I enjoy seeing new members develop an appreciation for our natural resources. 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

WSP members help to complete several field projects while completing individual assignments as well. These individual assignments help create and maintain important working relationships with the local community.  

 

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Rosemary Romero (she/her/hers)

Environmental Scientist with the Klamath Watershed Program

Mentor since 2023  

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging Environmental Professionals?

Learning about each Members’ career goals and ensuring they are getting the most out of their experience at our site, so they are prepared for their next step in their career as Environmental Professionals.    

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  • What is a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization?

WSP Members contribute to long-term fisheries datasets that are valuable to local communities, the state of California, tribal governments & organizations, neighboring states, and federal government agencies throughout the Klamath Basin.  They enhance our ability to maintain these datasets while bringing and sharing enthusiastic energy and diverse perspectives on the work we are doing. 

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Crystal Robinson

Klamath Watershed Program Environmental Scientist Supervisor

AmeriCorps member 2001-2003; Mentor since 2022

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  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging Environmental Professionals?

It is exciting to introduce young professionals to the field of biology. They offer new perspectives outside the usual box we all have been working in for decades. 

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  • What is a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization?

WSP has brought educated scientists to our remote part of the world where it is often hard to find qualified individuals. Many of them have stayed on to work in the Klamath basin and their experience with fieldwork, as well as outreach and education, is a real asset to the natural resources. 

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Trinity Country Resource Conservation District

 

Amelia Fleitz

Watershed Program Manager

Mentor since 2023

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  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging Environmental Professionals? 

After supervising Americorps with the GrizzlyCorps program for 3 years, I enjoyed the energy and new ideas that emerging Environmental Professionals bring to the table. There is a lot of new research and technology shared in college that is drastically different from when I attended over 10 years ago and it great to incorporate those new techniques into our planning processes and ongoing projects. Our Corpsmembers bring such energy and vibrance to our workplace. 

 

  • What is a significant impact that you hope WSP Corpsmembers will have on your organization?

From working with Corpsmembers on day 1 coming in hesitant and nervous to watching the corpsmembers host events that they coordinated, interact with youth, and develop future programs and implement projects it is great to see the growth over the 11 months with the Corpsmember. 

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Annyssa Interrante

Watershed Project Coordinator

Mentor since 2023 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging Environmental Professionals?   

I always look forward to working with early career professionals so that I can provide valuable insight that I wish I had known early on. I enjoy guiding them through opportunities to expand their skillsets, gain confidence in their abilities, and work with them on their career path forward.  

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization?

Our past WSP members were able to help the RCD gain enough traction and momentum to develop our own Watershed Department within the District. Without their assistance I wouldn’t be holding the job I do today, so I believe our department is a huge testament to the long-term impact that can be made with fresh enthusiasm and helping hands. 

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Duncan McIntosh
 

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Miles Raymond

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Yurok Tribe Environmental Department  

 

Kaitlyn Woolling (she/her/hers) 

Hydrology Specialist 

Mentor since 2022 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resources professionals?  

What’s most rewarding to me is getting to expose other young adults to the amazing field of hydrology and giving them a foot in the door to gain more experience.

 

  • Share a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization?  

WSP CorpsMembers have given tremendous support to our water quality and hydrology programs throughout the years, from fieldwork, to data entry, and everywhere in between. WSP has also given important watershed lessons to local schools in Del Norte County.  

 

 

 

Josh Cahill (he/him/his) 

Environmental Protection Specialist-Water Quality 

WSP mentor since 2022 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resources professionals?  

While it is rewarding to see the excitement and astonishment on new corpsmembers’ faces when taking them into seldom trodden work sites, the most fulfilling aspect of being a mentor is exposing enthusiastic, budding professionals to the cultural significance and community impact of natural resource management. It is also gratifying to share my knowledge and experience with someone building their career path.  

 

  • Share a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization?  

Having WSP has allowed us split into more crews and complete more field work. Training new WSP corpsmembers has also reinforced Yurok Environmental staff in our individual areas of professional expertise.  

 

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Louisa McCovey

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California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Arcata 

 

Colin Anderson

Environmental Scientist 

WSP Alumnus, Years 3 & 4

Mentor since 2015 (has worked with Members since 2000) 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

Seeing the growth in Members is very rewarding. They come in wide-eyed and open to experience, then learn about working with fish and working as a team. We have a really amazing team here – really they are all Mentors. 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

Having Members at our Site helps us stay fresh – by training someone who has never done this work before, they bring something new to the team, and help us keep it real. I am constantly learning from them, and they help keep it exciting and fun. They also help remind us of our connection to the community, through the Watershed Awareness Volunteer Event. Without WSP, sometimes that connection gets lost, because we are so focused on the work we are doing here. 

 

 

 

Seth Ricker 

Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)

Site Supervisor since 2000 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

The best, most satisfying Members are the ones who make the most growth during their time with us. They come in unprepared – for the job, the responsibilities – and they come out the other end being prepared for the real world. Our Site has a pretty good record – most of our Members have stayed in the industry. 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

I appreciate WSP for a totally pragmatic reason: WSP Members vastly increase the capacity for us to do the science we do here and look at it with fresh eyes. 

 

 

 

Bureau of Land Management, Arcata 

 

Zane Ruddy 

Fish Biologist  

Mentor since 2015 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

I enjoy helping them build the bridge towards a long term career, and helping them build skills that will make them successful. 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

We are an office of individual specialists – we don’t have a “crew”. By having a WSP Member, it is an automatic way for us to double the effort we are putting towards a project. All of a sudden, twice as much can get done! 

 

 

 

Sam Flanagan 

Geologist  

Mentor since 2015 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

Sharing time with people who are enthusiastic and motivated that bring new ideas and fresh perspectives. 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

Members improve the quality of work the Site does and are a positive presence. 

 

 

Dan Wooden

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California Conservation Corps, Fortuna 

 

Brian Starks (He, Him, His)  

Fish Habitat Specialist 

WSP Alumnus 

Mentor since 2017  

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging environmental professionals? 

The injection of fresh enthusiasm that new Corpsmembers bring every year is invigorating and keeps me on my game. Getting to answer questions about what we do and why we do it always keeps me thinking and helps me learn more about the techniques we use in fisheries restoration. The best ways to learn are to do and to teach, and everyone gets to do both with WSP Corpsmembers at our site! 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization? 

At the Fortuna CCC we get the pleasure of having our WSP Corpsmembers put on the Creek Days Environmental Education Fair, which would certainly not happen without WSP. This is a great outreach event that reaches hundreds of elementary school students. The CCC doesn’t often get to educate people at such a young age, so to have that opportunity bodes well for the future of conservation. It is also wonderful to have the Corpsmembers working around traditional CCC Corpsmembers. The presence of WSP raises a great deal of interest in the program and gives our CCC Corpsmembers another very tangible career path to aspire to. 

 

 

 

Eel River Watershed Improvement Group 

 

Isaac Mikus 

Executive Director  

 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

 

 

 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

 

 

 

 

 

Wiyot Tribe Natural Resources Department

 

Marisa McGrew (she/her) 

Fisheries/Natural Resources Specialist

WSP Alum Year 26

Mentor since 2023 

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  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

As a former WSP Corpsmember, my Mentors played a significant role in my growth in the fisheries and restoration world. They supported me, presented new challenges for me to take on, and encouraged my enthusiasm throughout my term. I hope to do the same now that I’m a Mentor, while also incorporating indigenous knowledge and values. 

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  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

The Wiyot Tribe’s Natural Resources Department is a small but mighty department. I hope WSP Corpsmembers will bring fresh excitement and ideas to the table, and our department looks forward to providing an opportunity for future land resource managers to work alongside tribal land managers and doubling our efforts in all our projects. 

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Adam Canter

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Department of Fish and Wildlife, Coastal Watershed Planning and Assessment Program  

 

Allan Renger  

Senior Environmental Scientist  

WSP Alumnus 

Site Supervisor since 2013 

 

 

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David Kajtaniak  

Environmental Scientist 

WSP Alumnus 

Mentor since 2009 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

I certainly enjoy their excitement and enthusiasm for their field of interest. I also enjoy being able to share and pass along my knowledge and skill set to help further advance their careers. 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

Our WSP Members have greatly helped spread a positive message and image of our Department to members of the public and other resource agencies and non-profits. Through our field surveys they also provide a significant portion of the data sets that go into the monitoring and research for our programs. 

 

 

 

Chris Loomis 

Environmental Scientist

Mentor since 2020 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging Natural Resources Professionals?  

Sharing my passion for fisheries and science with enthusiastic and inquisitive members. 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization?  

They are the lifeblood of our program and help keep us up and running every day. 

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Kaydee Boozel

Environmental Scientist

Mentor since 2023

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  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging Environmental Professionals?   

The most rewarding part is getting to work with and teach new members about fisheries science. It is always a fun and enlightening experience. WSP members generally bring great questions, attitudes, and perspectives into the field and I get to learn from them as well.  

  

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization?

WSP members play a pivotal role in the monitoring programs run through the CWPAP office. Day in and day out they are helping our programs thrive. Whether that is collecting data in the field, entering data, or any other tasks that go into monitoring stream systems, they are there to lend and hand.

 

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North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board 

 

Lance Lee  

Water Resource Control Engineer 

Mentor since 2017 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging environmental professionals? 

Much of my work is desktop and computer-based, and I really enjoy exposing WSP Corpsmembers to computer programming and complex data or GIS analysis. This work requires a lot of problem-solving, introspection, and investigative independence, so seeing Corpsmembers exercise these parts of their minds is a most rewarding experience. Nature is beautiful and learning the abstract and mathematical representations we use to understand nature is its own reward and also essential for future careers; helping Corpsmembers with this journey is the best part of being a Mentor for me.  

  

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization? 

WSP Corpsmembers provide much needed support to orphan projects that have too few staff working on them or require learning new skills that can be a significant time investment. Beyond their Placement Site work, having Corpsmembers just be present encourages our own staff to interact across programs/units and out of their own silos. 

 

 

 

Bryan McFadin 

Flow and Riparian Protection Specialist 

Mentor since 2016 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging environmental professionals? 

For me, the most rewarding thing about being a Mentor is working with smart, enthusiastic young professionals. I love the energy WSP Corpsmembers bring to their work, which is inspiring. 

  

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization? 

WSP Corpsmembers have allowed us to do more flow and water quality monitoring than we ever could have accomplished without them. 

 

 

 

Eli Scott 

 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

 

 

 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth Pope 

Senior Environmental Scientist 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

 

 

 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matt St. John

Environmental Program Manager – Climate Specialist

Site Supervisor since 2023 

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  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging Environmental Professionals? 

I am a strong supporter of the value of on-the-job training for emerging Environmental Professionals. I find it rewarding to have a role in helping Corpsmembers hone their technical and professional skills and to refine their professional interests and aspirations. In addition, I am energized by the enthusiasm and dedication that our Corpsmembers display.  

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  • What is a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization?

The Corpsmembers at the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board have made tangible contributions to a variety of water quality and flow related monitoring and analysis projects, which have contributed to work products shaping important water resource protection policies. 

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Point Reyes National Seashore  

 

Michael Reichmuth 

Fishery Biologist 

Site Supervisor since 2012 (has worked with AmeriCorps Members since 2006) 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

Providing a unique learning experience for young professionals. The biggest challenge for young professionals entering into the field of fisheries management is acquiring relevant field experience. Through this experience WSP Members also learn if they truly have the passion to dedicate their career to natural resource management. However, the biggest reward is seeing previous Members become successful managers of their own program and knowing that you helped them to get where they are today. 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

WSP Members have increased the capacity of our program to both collect data on critically endangered Coho salmon and expand the message to the surrounding community. 

 

 

 

Brentley McNeill 

PRNSA Fisheries Crew Leader

Mentor since 2017 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

One of the most rewarding aspects of working with WSP Members is the challenge it provides. The challenge of becoming a better Mentor, colleague, and steward. I hope the Members are challenged in a similar way. It's also rewarding to see our Members grow into their positions and become more comfortable and confident as the year progresses. Working alongside Members who share an appreciation and respect for the natural world leaves me feeling optimistic about the future of resources conservation.   

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

WSP Members are always eager to jump in head first, sometimes literally. Their energy and passion really helps our team hit the ground running and sets a tone for the entire season. Without the Members, we could not meet certain monitoring objectives, and the resulting data gaps would limit our ability to assess coho and steelhead populations in Marin County. WSP Members also help foster a healthy relationship between the Seashore and local communities through outreach efforts. In addition to WOW and Watershed Awareness Volunteer Events, Members manage Stream Team which provides volunteers another opportunity to improve fish habitat through streamside restoration. Needless to say, our program's scope of work has increased significantly thanks to WSP Members.   

 

 

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US Fish and Wildlife Service, Lodi 

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Jeffrey McLain

Project Leader  

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

 

 

 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

 

 

 

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Adam Nanninga 

Supervisory Fish Biologist 

Mentor since 2019 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

It is a rewarding experience for me when a WSP member learns something new from me. 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

The WSP members in our office bring a youthful energy to the program.

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Marin Municipal Water District Fisheries Program 

 

Eric Ettlinger 

Aquatic Ecologist  

Mentor since 2010 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

The most rewarding part of being a Mentor is exchanging knowledge with bright, dedicated conservationists. I get to share my experiences in salmon conservation, and they share the latest science that interests them, what’s new in undergraduate and graduate education, the job and housing market situation, etc. Members also bring fresh perspectives and insights into my work, which I’m extremely grateful for. 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

Members continuously inject their optimism, perceptions, and energy into our work. Without their contributions we could run the risk of becoming complacent and set in our ways. Simply by being asked insightful questions I’m often prompted to examine my assumptions, which can lead to improved ways of doing this work.  

 

 

 

Suzanne Whelan 

Ecologist; Watershed Volunteer Coordinator 

Mentor since 2010 

 

Since 2009 Suzanne has been working on Mt Tamalpais as the Watershed Volunteer Coordinator for Marin Water. Outdoor volunteer programs are so valuable now more than ever, offering experiences for folks where they can perhaps get dirty, smell the earth, uncover unexpected organisms, flex their muscles while moving under the sun or the rain, and reconsider their connection to place and to each other. She finds joy in mentoring emerging environmental professionals and supporting their priorities for a better world. Exposing youth to nature- and science-based jobs empowers them with critical thinking, observation, and leadership skills! We humans must accept the responsibility for the societal and environmental systems that we are a part of. The environment is not “out there” - it is here, wherever you are - be it the top of Tam or in the parking lot at Safeway. All elements are intertwined. Each of us has a role to play in solving the environmental crises. We must dream big, demand big, and help each do our part every day even if the individual action seems small. 

 

 

 

Jonathan Koehler 

Fishery Program Manager  

Mentor since 2020 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging environmental professionals? 

I really enjoy helping young professionals develop their understanding of science, conservation, and our relationships with the natural world. It gives me hope for the future to see the next generation of environmental professionals eager to embark on this career path and hopefully make the world a better place.  

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization? 

The Watershed Stewards Program has been an essential part of Marin Water's monitoring, education, and stewardship efforts for more than a decade.  WSP Corpsmembers help us collect high-quality fish population data, engage the public in conservation and restoration efforts, conduct hands-on habitat restoration, and assist with data analysis and reporting. 

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San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board  

 

Kristina Yoshida 

Environmental Scientist (SWAMP Coordinator)  

Mentor since 2015 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

The most rewarding part of being a mentor is working closely with WSP Members to help them figure out their next career path and to also help them get the necessary tools and contacts to achieve these goals. Hopefully, my experience doing natural resource work in the academic, non-profit, and government sectors gives the WSP Members useful insight into potential careers. It is also great to see WSP Members quickly grow during their time at the Water Board and feel like they are an important and useful member of our agency. 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

The WSP Members play a crucial role in fulfilling the water quality and bio-assessment sampling that is necessary to inform management decisions. They also serve as important liaisons between the Water Board and the community by providing stream restoration workshops and environmental education. The WSP Members also bring new perspectives and useful tools that are in high demand at our agency, such as GIS skills. 

 

 

 

Rebecca Nordenholt  

Environmental Scientist 

WSP Alumna 

Mentor since 2020 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging Natural Resources Professionals?  

I was a WSP Corpsmember in Year 21, so I know what a positive impact mentorship and this program can have on your career. I’m so grateful I can support emerging Natural Resources Professionals as a WSP alum.  

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization?  

Our WSP Corpsmembers bring such life and enthusiasm to our office. The education and service aspects of the program help us connect with community in a way that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. 

 

 

 

Kevin Lunde 

Site Supervisor since 2012 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

Helping WSP Members gain the skills and experience necessary to progress along a successful career path in resource protection.  

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

WSP Members bring vitality and excitement to the office which helps rejuvenate other staff.  

 

 

 

Grassroots Ecology 

 

Kristen Williams  

Habitat Restoration Director 

Mentor since 2018 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

I enjoy seeing how much they grow over the course of the program.  

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

WSP members come with a fresh perspective and often provide valuable feedback and suggestions for how to improve programming. 

 

 

 

Tyler Feld (he/him) 

Project Lead for Grassroots Ecology  

Mentor since 2021 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

I feel so grateful to support their learning, help them discover long term career goals and provide support, resources, and tools to achieve those goals. Watching them grow even over the short period of time we have had them on our team has been such a joy! 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization?  

WSP Corpsmembers have allowed our team's sites to flourish by having more ideas for projects, curriculum, and more hands to complete our restoration work. Our corps members have created new signage to teach the public about our local ecology, created resources for our organization and partners, and have been wonderful working with our staff and volunteers. 

 

 

 

Stephanie Saffouri  

Project Lead  

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

 

 

 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alex Von Feldt  

Executive Director  

Mentor since 2013 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

It is rewarding to be able to offer a supportive and fun environment for WSP Members to engage with the community to improve the health of our watersheds. 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

WSP members bring technical expertise, new ideas and enthusiasm to our programs, and make the experience so much better for our volunteers and students. 

 

 

 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Fisheries Science Center  

 

Cynthia Kern 

Associate Project Scientist UCSC

WSP Mentor since 2016 

 

  • What do/will you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging Natural Resources Professionals? 

I run a student intern program in addition to the WSP mentoring. I find it very rewarding to work with individuals striving to learn more about our environment and the challenges we face as stewards of our natural resources. 

  

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

Our site provides an opportunity to experience many techniques related to salmonid conservation which includes electrofishing, aquatic bioassessment, adult and smolt tagging and trapping, spawner ground surveys, snorkel surveys, and hatchery releases. A solid crew of responsible, dedicated, and committed individuals are necessary to make our projects successful. The WSP members are an important addition to our field research crews and contribute both integrity and enthusiasm which ultimately enhances our data collection. 

 

 

 

Rosealea Bond 

Associate Specialist UCSC

Mentor since 2018 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

Though this is my first year as an official mentor, from my past experiences with WSP members I find it incredibly rewarding to see members' personal growth including: increased self-confidence, refined interpersonal communication, and expanded resiliency to what life throws their way.   

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

Our WSP members have provided exceptional outreach opportunities that educate and inspire our community about the recovery of local threatened and endangered salmon populations. 

 

 

 

Joseph Kiernan 

Research Ecologist  

Mentor since 2012 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

 

 

 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coastal Watershed Council

 

Laurie Egan

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Kaiya Giuliano-Monroy

River Ecologist

Mentor since 2023

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  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

It is exciting and rewarding to guide the next generation on how to tend to our native plant habitats. It's rewarding to know I can better equipped someone in their career and with these tools they can do amazing things for the world. 

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  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization?

The most significant impact I see a WSP Corpsmember having for our organization is helping expand our capacity. As a small non-profit organization we could greatly benefit for reaching a wider audience and saying yes to more cool opportunities. 

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Central Coast Wetlands Group, Moss Landing and Watsonville Wetlands Watch 

 

Kevin O’Connor 

Program Manager at the Central Coast Wetlands Group 

Mentor since 2015 

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  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

Exposing them to all of the work we do at CCWG and the organizations we interact with gives the mentors a good idea of the possibilities for having a job in this field of work. 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

The WSP members have done extensive testing of new wetland and riparian assessment methods. They have also contributed significantly to our wetland restoration and water quality enhancement efforts. New ideas and fresh faces every year is always a positive impact on CCWG. 

 

 

 

Jenny Balmagia  

CCWG Watershed Coordinator 

WSP Alumna 

Mentor since 2020 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging Natural Resources Professionals? 

I am most looking forward to helping others have a similarly influential WSP experience as I did as a Corpsmember with CCWG in 2015/16. By exposing Corpsmembers to the breadth of work we do and always contextualizing tasks in the bigger picture I hope to help them get the most out of their service term and define their ideal career path. 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization?  

Added capacity! We are a very small organization and wouldn’t be able to accomplish everything we do without them. Also, as a completely grant funded organization, it’s great to have WSP Corpsmembers to work on projects we’re really interested in doing but for which we don’t have specific funding. 

 

 

 

Sarah Stoner Duncan  

CCWG Research Coordinator

Mentor since 2015 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

 

 

 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cara Clark (she/her) 

Restoration Director, Wetland Scientist at the Central Coast Wetlands Group 

Mentor since 2015 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resources professionals?  

I love to get inspired by the enthusiasm and fresh energy from young people. 

 

  • Share a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization?  

The WSP Corpsmembers inventoried and organized our stock of local native seed. This will facilitate growing plants for local watershed restoration projects. 

 

 

 

Martha Arciniega (she/her) 

Education Programs Director 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resources professionals? 

I find that being able to share with them what I'm passionate about and help them experience parts of my job that could be interesting to them and help them see what they are interested in through hands-on experience. 

 

  • Share a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization?  

Athena and Elizabeth have co-led 4-5th grade field trips to the Watsonville Wetlands and connected with students through their love of nature. 

 

 

 

California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Big Sur 

 

Matthew Michie  

Environmental Scientist, CMP 

Mentor since 2018 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

 

 

 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

 

 

 

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Suzanne DeLeon 

Senior Environmental Scientist Specialist  

Mentor since 2020 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging environmental professionals?  

What I find most rewarding is helping these Corpsmembers as much as my mentors helped me by giving them new opportunities and hands-on field and research experiences which will help them find a career path that they will be passionate about.   

  

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization?  

Without the hard work and enthusiasm of WSP Corpsmembers, steelhead monitoring and other tasks which aid in coastal anadromous stream restoration would be greatly reduced. 

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Krissy Atkinson

Senior Environmental Scientist Supervisor

WSP Alum, 1995; Supervisor since 2021

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  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging Environmental Professionals? 

Seeing the career and academic success following the mentorship is very rewarding.  I enjoy providing the building blocks so that the mentee is in the position to take the next step into graduate school or a rewarding career.   

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  • What is a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization?

In addition to enthusiasm and a fresh mindset, the WSP Corpsmembers add to the existing scientific capacity and staffing to help CDFW accomplish our fisheries monitoring and restoration goals. 

 

San Luis Obispo Steelhead Initiative  

 

Freddy Otte 

Biologist with the City of San Luis Obispo 

Mentor since 2013 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

I find being able “to pay it forward” is extremely rewarding since this is the opportunity that was given to me as I was coming up in the restoration field. Being able to teach my skills to the next generation allows me to provide the fish and resources we are protecting, more support and protection for the next generation.  

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization 

The biggest impact that WSP members have brought to our organization is capacity. Here at the City, there is not a team of biologists to help monitor fish and habitat, so having the members here has allowed us to gather the needed baseline data to better communicate our story in protecting our local Steelhead. I don’t want to think where our fish would be if WSP was not an integral part of our restoration team. 

 

 

 

Meredith Hardy (She, her) 

Fish Habitat Specialist at the California Conservation Corps Los Padres Center 

Mentor since 2009 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging environmental professionals? 

I am very passionate about the work we do to restore steelhead habitat and find opportunities to make our watersheds more resilient to climate change. Working with the CCC and WSP enables us to get things done on the ground that make a difference. WSP Corpsmembers are an amazing resource to gather baseline data to enable us to develop projects for implementation. Beyond the work that is performed by our Corpsmembers, mentoring is the most rewarding that makes coming to work such a delight. The Corpsmembers bring so much to the table and being able to share our passion and knowledge is incredibly fulfilling.  

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization? 

Having WSP Corpsmembers working alongside CCC traditional Corpsmembers has been amazing. They learn so much from each other. I often hear our WSP Corpsmembers remark that working with the CCC crews is one of their favorite things they do. We have also seen so many of our WSP Corpsmembers go off to graduate school and/or become professionals in the restoration field. It is immensely reassuring that our fight to recover salmonids will continue long after we move on to sitting on the river bank watching the river flow and salmon grow! 

 

 

 

Makenzie O'Connor 

Morro Bay NEP Monitoring Projects Manager

Mentor since 2021; WSP Alum

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging Natural Resources Professionals?  

The excitement, drive and genuine interest of our CMs! It’s always refreshing to have new, excitable young professionals in this field.  

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization?  

A huge impact. The Estuary Program has had WSP CMs for almost 10 years, and they’ve helped us in a variety of capacities including restoration projects, GIS work, monitoring projects and with outreach. Many of our paid staff have also been WSP alumni (including myself)!  

 

 

 

Steph Wald 

Watershed Project Manager with the Central Coast Salmon Enhancement 

Mentor since 2009 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

Watching the progression (the light bulb goes on) of doing individual tasks to seeing how the tasks fit into the restoration picture. 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

We are finally conducting regular surveys of our watersheds and have increased "eyes on the creeks" more than ever before. 

 

 

 

California Department of Fish and Wildlife Coastal Monitoring Program, Santa Barbara 

 

Kyle Evans 

Environmental Scientist  

Mentor since 2018 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals 

The most rewarding thing about being a mentor is having the chance to introduce young professionals to as many different projects and aspects of fisheries work as possible. It’s my goal to provide members with the opportunity to work completely through a project and to get an idea of the day to day work of fisheries professionals.   

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

The members are involved with a variety of stream surveys and allow us to cover a large number of steelhead watersheds. Without the members hard work and dedication monitoring efforts throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties would be significantly reduced. 

 

 

 

Dane St. George  

Environmental Scientist  

Mentor since 2021 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging Natural Resources Professionals?  

I enjoy helping WSP Corpsmembers expand their knowledge, skillset, and confidence in ecological field work. I also enjoy the fresh perspectives Corpsmembers bring to our office. 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization?  

WSP Corpsmembers are an integral part of our annual steelhead monitoring, and several have taken the initiative to help develop training resources for future Corpsmembers and CDFW staff. 

 

 

 

Casey Horgan (he/him) 

Environmental Scientist 

Mentor since 2022 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resources professionals? 

So far I have enjoyed getting to know WSP Corpsmembers and playing a role in helping them gain an increased awareness and understanding of the unique aspects of the local ecosystems we work within and helping them to recognize how their efforts are playing an important role in the monitoring, sustainment, and hopeful recovery of endangered southern California steelhead. Ultimately, I hope my mentorship helps to guide Corpsmembers in their future career path endeavors.  

 

  • Share a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization?  

During the summer of 2022 the two WSP Corpsmembers assigned to our office led an effort to assess and report on the habitat conditions within approximately 6.4 miles of Mission Creek in Santa Barbara county, which as been designated a Core 1 priority for southern California steelhead recovery efforts by the National Marine Fisheries Commission. The collected data, analysis, and reporting completed by the Corpsmembers is being utilized to help plan and direct habitat restoration efforts in Mission Creek in response to the significant environmental impacts caused by road grading project carried out in 2019 by Southern California Edison that generated over 100,000 cubic feet of sediment debris into the Mission Creek Watershed.   

 

 

 

Vivon Crawford 

Restoration Program Director, Ojai Valley Land Conservancy

Mentor since 2022

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  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging Environmental Professionals?   

It is incredibly rewarding to see young environmental professionals make connections across disciplines - seeing the interconnectedness of their Steelhead surveys, OVLC's mitigation projects  

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization?

WSPs have been incredibly helpful with a wide range of OVLC's projects - oak woodland and riparian restoration projects, vegetation surveys, river cleanups, and social trail closures. But the most exciting project they've helped with was conducting a plant survey for a trail reroute to ensure we documented plant populations to inform the restoration plantings we planned to do the following fall. 

 

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Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains 

 

Rosi Dagit 

Senior Conservation Biologist 

Site Supervisor since 2013 (has worked with Members since 2011) 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resource professionals? 

The most rewarding thing about working with members is watching them grow into the responsibilities of the work, and expand their skills, knowledge and expectations for their own careers. We work hard to provide our Members with a variety of professional experiences so that they can "try" out different roles and figure out where they want to go next. Each of our Members has gone on to do great work, not all in fisheries, but all are incredibly successful contributors to our world. It is humbling to take part in shaping the next generation of stewards. 

 

  • What is a significant impact that WSP Members have had on your organization? 

It is difficult to overstate how much the WSP Members have contributed to our organization. From the more routine snorkel surveys to more difficult data analysis, their enthusiasm, flexibility and can do attitude has enabled us to accomplish so much! Year 20 Members not only did a super job in the field, but helped analyze a huge backlog of BMI samples. The Year 21 Member made it possible for us to complete drought related species recovery, as well as analyze water temperature data to look at the on-going impacts. The Year 22 Member has made his mark both with local schools, (supervising Trout in the Classroom and providing extensive in the field experiences for over 150 students) and in tackling some much needed data analysis looking at spawning patterns. The more mundane day-to-day contributions are just too numerous to list, but we appreciate all of their contributions large and small! I think it is safe to say that our on-going research and restoration work would not have been nearly as effective without their help. 

 

 

 

Jamie King  

Conservation Biologist  

Mentor since 2021 

 

  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resources professionals?  

I enjoy getting to know the WSPers individually, learning their stories and path to joining us, and having fun doing field work with them 

 

  • Share a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization?  

WSP members are vital to our ongoing efforts in documenting the presence and abundance of steelhead trout and other resources  in the Santa Monica Mountains and conveying that information to resource agencies and the public. They also help lead many restoration and educational efforts here in the greater LA area. We are so proud of their accomplishments and appreciate all the good work they do and energy they always bring! 

 

 

 

Marilyn Brody French 

Education & Outreach Supervisor  

Mentor since 2021 

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  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resources professionals?  

I find working with early career professionals to be one of the most hopeful aspects of my job as a conservation scientist and environmental educator. It is a constant reminder that there are new generations of informed and enthusiastic individuals who are choosing to offer their skill sets and fresh perspectives to our field. It is especially wonderful having these team members work as environmental educators where their (often youthful) energy helps bridge the gap between local environmental science and the diverse community surrounding human-impacted natural spaces.  

 

  • Share a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization. 

The RCDSMM is grateful for the opportunity to provide mentorship to WSP Corpsmembers who play an integral role in our organization’s success. They offer boots-on-the-ground restoration and monitoring support and take on leadership roles for our education programs and community events.  

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Alyssa Morgan

Conservation Biologist

Mentor since 2023

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  • What do you find most rewarding about being a Mentor for emerging natural resources professionals?  

I love getting to see individuals develop/foster passion for conservation and our beautiful ecosystems. Everyone has a different system, species, or place that speaks to them, and it's beautiful to see how much everyone truly cares. 

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  • Share a significant impact that WSP Corpsmembers have had on your organization. 

The WSP position at the RCDSMM is a wonderful addition to all aspects of our team, from in field biology to our education programs. Every year we get to teach as well as learn from a new individual who brings their own knowledge and ideas to the table. This keeps our office dynamic and pushing for the best environment we can foster.

Louisa McCovey
Josh Cahill
Colin Anderson
Seth Ricker
Zane Ruddy
Dan Wooden
Brian Starks
Sam Flanagan
Marisa McGrew
Adam Canter
David Kajtaniak
Chris Loomis
Isaac Mikus
Kaydee Boozel
Allan Renger
Lance Lee
Bryan McFadin
Eli Scott
Matt St. John
Elizabeth Pope
Michael Reichmuth
Brentley McNeill
Jeffrey McLain
Adam Nanninga
Eric Ettlinger
Suzanne Whelan
Jonathan Koehler
Kristina Yoshida
Rebecca Nordenholt
Kevin Lunde
Kristen Williams
Tyler Feld
Stephanie Saffouri
Alex Von Feldt
Cynthia Kern
Rosealea Bond
Joseph Kiernan
Laurie Egan
Jenny Balmagia
Kevin O'Connor
Sarah Stoner Duncan
Cara Clark
Martha Arciniega
Matthew Michie
Suzanne DeLeon
Freddy Otte
Kristine Atkinson
Dane St. George
Casey Horgan
Vivon Crawford
Rosi Dagit
Makenzie O'Connor
Jamie King
Steph Wald
Marilyn Brody French
Kyle Evans
Meredith Hardy
Kaiya Giuliano-Monroy
Alyssa Morgan
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