By Education Program Coordinator, Nathan Zabel

In a year that has been marked by adapting and pivoting our programming, we are grateful to be able to look forward to meeting both students and community members outdoors, in-person, along salmon-bearing waterways throughout Whatcom County. Facilitating those programs will be NSEA’s new AmeriCorps Team, serving through Washington Service Corps.

Joining the NSEA team are Environmental Stewardship Associates Megan Adams and Gabby Boyson and Environmental Education Associates Chloe Brush and Grace Pierstorff. Megan is from Puyallup and is a familiar face at NSEA. You may have seen her in the Mt. Baker – Snoqualmie National Forest when she was a Nooksack River Steward Intern or at a Community Work Party this spring when she was a Community Program Intern. She recently graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in Environmental Science. Megan is “excited to grow through the new challenges I’ll face and work as a team to impact our community.” Joining her on the Stewardship team is Gabby, who took a trip across the country to serve with NSEA. She comes from Vermont, and graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in Environmental Policy. Gabby is looking forward to “getting my hands dirty planting trees and pulling invasives with this great community and watching NSEA’s projects continue to grow!”

Chloe Brush is from the Pacific Northwest, originally from Portland, and is a recent graduate from Western Washington University with a degree in Environmental Studies. She has experience with hands-on restoration through participation with WWU’s LEAD Program at work parties and is excited to bring that experience to “both make a difference in my community and learn more about it as well.” Joining her on the Education team is Grace, who also ventured to Washington for this position. She comes from Wisconsin and is a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire with a degree in Environmental Biology. This is Grace’s second AmeriCorps term, having previously served with Bitter Root Water Forum in Montana. She is looking forward to “expanding my knowledge on salmon ecology and exploring out in nature with students of Whatcom County.”

You will have a chance to meet this year’s Program Team at the variety of programs they will be facilitating, including Community Work Parties, Salmon Sightings, and Students for Salmon. They are excited to connect with you at locations throughout Whatcom County and work collaboratively to further our mission of salmon recovery through education, inspiration, and engagement.