Sustainability Pathways 2022
Emily Amos
Methow Valley Fire Lookout Practicum
Museum Educator/Docent, Shafer Historical Museum
Geography B.A., WWU
Environmental Science and GIS Minors
This summer I am working with Mike Liu, a retired District Ranger with the Methow Valley Ranger District, to restore historic fire lookouts and develop educational materials surrounding the history and critical role lookouts have in a wildfire-prone landscape. Working in partnership with the Shafer Historical Museum, I will have access to archival materials to support the development of educational materials in addition to conducting oral history interviews with local community members.
I’ve spent my entire life visiting the Methow Valley and it holds a deep family connection through place. I am drawn to sustainability work because of its intersection with many subjects and the diverse perspectives you are exposed to. I believe my work will always revolve around environmental restoration, environmental justice and collaborative systems thinking.
Yareli Barragan
Regenerative Agriculture and Habitat Restoration Practicum at WWU Sustainability Pathways
WWU, Environmental Studies
I will be working with Doubletree Farm (a dairy farm), BCS Livestock (a livestock producer), and Lucky Shoe Farm (a sheep farm). These farms utilize regenerative farming techniques with their farm animals to protect native habitat. Sustainability inspires me because it utilizes interdisciplinary approaches which encourages collaboration between multiple disciplines. I hope to work directly with farmers and policy makers in the future to encourage better agricultural practices like those I work with in the Methow Valley farms.
Emily Salcedo
Sustainable Local Planning Fellow in Winthrop, WA at WWU Sustainability Pathways
Urban Planning and Sustainable Development, WWU
At the town of Winthrop’s Sustainable Local Planning Fellowship I’m working with Town Planner, Rocklynn Culp, and EV charging project leader, Kristi Skanderup, on a project regarding EV charging infrastructure and implementation. Additionally, I’ll be working on updating Winthrop’s Complete Streets Ordinance to assist in meeting transportation planning objectives, such as improving the transportation circulation network to function better for all users. My interests are in transportation planning and my long term goals are focused around creating more transportation infrastructure that serves more people and moves people away from
car-centric infrastructure, specifically intracity bicycle highways and intercity bullet trains through Washington, Oregon, and California.
Ryan Bottem
Energy Efficiency Research Fellow, Okanogan County Electric Cooperative
Energy Science & Technology, WWU
Working closely with the Pacific Northwest Generating Cooperative and Bonneville Power Administration to draft a comprehensive report on the potential for energy efficient investments for the Okanogan County Electric Cooperative. The incredibly unique nature of this region poses challenges I hope to understand better through work with OCEC and engagement in the community. My love for the natural world started my path in sustainability, but observing our impacts have accelerated my passion and eagerness. The energy sector has stood out to me as an opportunity to have a massive impact through my effort.
Emma Burgess
Cascades Carnivore Project Fellow
Environmental Science w/ emphasis in Freshwater and Terrestrial Ecology, WWU
As one of two Cascade Carnivores Project fellows this summer, I will be working in the field with fellow Renee Wherly in the mountain ecosystems surrounding the Methow Valley. Our task for the summer is to document the presence of carnivores, primarily endangered Canada lynx and Cascade red fox. The samples we collect in the field will contribute to an expanding genotypic database and inform conservation strategies and effective management actions for these endangered carnivores in the face of a changing climate. Preservation of species diversity is positively correlated to ecosystem strength and resilience; in other words, carnivore population health is necessary for a balanced and sustainable mountain ecosystem. I am humbled by the opportunity to experience field work in such a beautiful area and to contribute to the Cascade Carnivores Project’s mission this summer.
Natalia Chambard
Resilient Methow Climate Action Plan Initiative Fellow
WWU Business and Sustainability - Energy Studies
As the Resilient Methow Fellow, I will be implementing the Methow Valley Climate Action Plan goals and strategies for a more resilient and carbon neutral Methow. I will be working to increase community awareness and understanding of the Methow Valley Climate Action Plan through various forms of community outreach. I will be networking and partnering with the other practicum positions to coordinate how their organizations can help to implement the climate action goals. I have always been called to protect our natural spaces since I was a kid learning to
hike and backpack. I believe business has an important role to play in climate action and sustainability, and I intend to utilize that relationship.
Brianna Doran-Moriarty
Land Stewardship and Communications Fellow at WWU Sustainability Pathways
WWU- Environmental Science
As the Land Stewardship and Communications Fellow I will be implementing ways to share student stories and community impact. I will also be collaborating with a local foundation to develop a stewardship plan for land located near Loup Loup Pass. I am drawn to sustainability work by its interdisciplinary nature. Mitigating the dangers of climate change requires careful and deliberate cooperation between social, economic, and environmental fields. Sustainability work deepens my understanding of this interconnectedness.
Caroline Fillman
Museum Educator/Docent, Shafer Historical Museum
Environmental Policy, WWU
As a museum docent at the Shafer Historical Museum in Winthrop, Washington, I will be educating those in and out of the Methow Valley on the complex pasts of settlers as the town grew from a small mining town, to what it is today. Additionally, I will be helping the museum to log their many artifacts into their database, to help them better keep track of all the fascinating history that they hold. I am looking forward to lean more into the historical aspect of sustainability, as it should give an interesting perspective on how we can learn from our pasts, to help better ourselves in the future. I want to make sure that we keep living and learning for many generations to come, and think that sustainability work will help reach that goal!
Gareth “Gary” Goodman-Peavy
Fellowship Intern, C6 Forest to Farm
Business & Sustainability Major
As an Intern for C6 Forest to Farm (C6F2F), I will be helping create a carbon emissions life cycle analysis for the production of biochar in the Methow Valley. I am going to be proving how eco-friendly and profitable biochar can be! I am tackling the environmental problem from the business side of things. There is a gap between what we know about saving the environment and what companies continue to do to exploit nature. I am stepping in to bridge that chasm and let companies know that you can “make green” and be green at the same time.
Macaela LaPorte
Intern at Clean Air Methow
Business & Sustainability, WWU
As an intern at Clean Air Methow I will be focusing on the community's needs and questions related to air quality. I will help promote clean airshed for everyone and ensure community members have the proper information needed to understand their health and air quality. What drew me to sustainability was my love for the outdoors and a fierce need to protect it. As I learned more about sustainability I realized this line of work also has the ability to protect people as well, which is equally as important.
Emmett Linklater
Forest Restoration Fellow, Methow Valley Ranger District
Environmental Studies, WWU
I work with the Methow Valley Ranger District Silviculturist on tasks related to timber stand improvement, timber sale preparation, reforestation, and tree improvement to support forest health and restoration across the region. What drew me to pursue this work in sustainability is my love for nature and wanting to keep it beautiful for future generations. Additionally, I see this opportunity as a bridge to help me successfully transition from college to a career in the field of sustainability.
Allison Murray
Methow Trails Fellow, Sustainability Pathways
Environmental Science, WWU
I’m working with Methow trails to maintain and improve their vast system of trails in the Methow Valley and provide information to the public about stewardship of the trails, helping to improve people’s connections with the land. I will also be helping with the creation of the TWiN Trail, which will provide an avenue for non-motorized commuting between the towns of Twisp and Winthrop. I was initially drawn to sustainability by my love of the outdoors and my interest in the scientific aspect of climate change. As I continue to learn more about the field, I find myself further drawn in by the interdisciplinary nature of sustainability, and I’m excited to keep learning and expanding my toolset for sustainability work.
Olivia Palmer
Methow Valley News
Environmental Journalism, WWU
As a reporting intern at Methow Valley News, I have the exciting opportunity to engage in storytelling and conversation. This summer, you can find me pitching, reporting and writing stories for the Methow Valley’s weekly paper! What draws me to work in sustainability is that it encompasses so many things - from environmental sustainability to housing and food systems to how we relate to our neighbors. As a journalist, I get to play a role in interrogating the systems around me, listening and learning from different voices, and moving toward a deeper understanding of what sustainability looks like in the context of a community.
Abigail Pedersen
Town of Twisp Town Planning Practicum
Urban Planning and Sustainable Development, WWU
I am working for the Town of Twisp by providing information as they are updating their sign code. I am learning about the process of implementing goals and the challenges that go along with that. I believe the systems we live in greatly affect personal environmental impact. I have a passion for helping communities create beautiful, livable and environmentally friendly places that they can be proud to live in and be a part of.
Heather Pedroza
Garden/program assistant fellow, Classroom in Bloom, Winthrop, WA
Climate Leadership Certificate Program
Environmental Studies B.A., Political Science Minor, WWU
In the summer of 2022, I have had the opportunity to work with Classroom in Bloom, a nonprofit organization that works with the Methow Valley School District and community to connect kids to nature and teach them how to grow their own food. In my position, I helped run the summer camp program, combining fun outdoor activities with a nature-based curriculum.
I have been drawn to sustainability for most of my life; once I began to learn about the severity of the state of our planet and the need for climate action, I knew I wanted to become a climate leader and make a difference.
Austin Valenti
TwispWorks Events and Communications Associate
Environmental Science with an Emphasis in Marine Science, WWU
Within TwispWorks I will be helping plan, coordinate, and launch events on campus. Additionally I am helping improve communication on campus, primarily through updating the websites and social media pages regularly.
When I moved to the wonderful state of Washington, I immediately was seduced by the beauty that is the Pacific Northwest. With the love that I have grown for this beautiful state, I want to dedicate my life to preserving this beautiful ecosystem against the looming threat of a changing climate.
Renee Wehrly
Cascade Carnivore Project
Environmental Science, WWU
As an Intern for the Cascade Carnivore project, we are hiking and backpacking trails collecting and documenting carnivore scat. Scat collection is helping the project in researching information about Canadian Lynx and Cascade Red Fox genetic diversity, habitat range and what their diet is. This information can provide the project with insight into the current overall welfare of the Carnivores as a population. I love doing this work. I have always been drawn to the outdoors and I love discovering and experiencing wildlife in action.