Joe Acampora - Western State Colorado University

 Joe Acampora Degree: BS in Environmental Studies, University of Vermont. Experience: USFW – Missiquoi National Wildlife Refuge, Vermont River Conservancy; Vital Communities Early Project Concept: To research wildlife corridors and land conservation, while facilitating the prosperity of apex predator species. Jennie Ciota Degree: BA in Political Science from Western Washington University, Experience: Environmental educator outdoor education instructor, experience working with indigenous groups to protect lands, international language teaching experience; helped fun non-­‐lumber forest products business Early Project Concept: Merging the social and environmental movements, working with communities to integrate environmental ethics and social justice. James Cooper Degree: BA in Environmental Studies from Seattle University Experience: Park Aid, Lake Sammaish State Park, WA; Greenpeace Frontliner, CA; Interned with EPA Region 10 and People for Puget Sound Early Project Concept: Land use and basin characteristics influencing water quality in temperature and suspended load. William DeGrush Degree: BA in Spanish and Psychology from Saint Michael’s College Experience: Tour guide for Yosemite, Muir Woods, and Mt. Tamalpais; Park Ranger Cordoba, Argentina; Manager for Trail Crew Mt. Tamalpais + Western Colorado Conservation Corps Early Project Concept: Continue research on sudden aspen decline and/or study sustainable forestry. Anna Drexler-­‐Dreis Degree: BS in Natural Resources Management from Colorado State University Experience: Stewardship Manager for the Colorado Headwaters Land Trust; Biogeochemistry technician, Colorado State Forest Service; Volunteer Farmer for WWOOF Early Project Concept: Evaluate how climate change may affect encumbering water rights and how landowners can turn water rights into in-­‐stream flow rights. Christa Faulkner Degree: Med Counseling with emphasis in Expressive Therapies from University of Louisville; BA in Art, minor in Psychology from Eastern Kentucky University Experience: AmeriCorps Vista in Montana; design consultant for hmmbird design; Home of the Innocents, Seven Counties Services; Volunteering Living Lands and Waters, Kentucky Waterways, Habitats for Humanity; Coal Free Future Project Early Project Concept: Reduce resource consumption while increasing alternative clean energies in the built environment to promote sustainable communities. Robert Frank Degree: BS in Environmental Science from Paul Smith’s College of Arts and Sciences Experience: Student Researcher in Adirondack Park, Lake Steward and Stream Ecology Field Assistant Naturalist at Baltimore Woods; Eagle Scout Early Project Concept: Study the impact of ranchland grazing practices on local stream ecology. Casey Hess Degree: BS in Earth and Environment Science from Susquehanna University Experience: Represented Susquehanna University in a sustainability committee; Interned at Aspen T.R.E.E; Involved in sustainable farming projects in local community; Visitor technician at Streamboat Lake State Park Early Project Concept: To bridge the gap between resilient communities and business. Shay Hlavaty Degree: BS in Environmental Conservation of Natural Resources from Texas Tech University Experience: 6th grade English and Social Studies teacher for Robert E. Lee Intermediate in Gainesville, Texas; Elm Fork Education Center Instructor at University of North Texas; lesser-­‐prairie chicken, Mississippi kite, and stout iguana field technician for Texas Tech University added in startup of Around the Corner Coffee shop of Iola, Kansas and served as manager. Early Project Concept: Improving physical, mental and psychological health of communities through societal involvement in sustainable development. Laura Knapp Degree: BS in Cell and Molecular Biology from Adams State University Experience: Soil Conservationist with the Natural resources Conservation Service; Student Intern with NRCS; Volunteer at Children’s Water Festival in Durango, CO Early Project Concept: Holistic Range and Pasture Management in Arid Climates Tim Kugler Degree: BA in Biology from University of Virginia Experience: Board of Directors for the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association; Dancing Bear Farm in Williams Valley of southern Oregon Early Project Concept: work with Forest Service and the BLM to build upon and reduce impact of recreational uses Lindsey Lunsford Degree: BA in History and BA in Political Science from Tuskegee University Experience: DOI/VISTA Volunteer at Western Hardrock Watershed Team, AL; Reenactment Marcher and Motivational Speaker; Founded the Younge Black Artist Movement (Y?BAM!) Early Project Concept: Explore the ways in which the rural south’s reclamation of the “Carver Way of Life” may lead to a significant increase in the overall health and wealth of the region. Jared McClain Degree: BA in Outdoor Recreation from Western State Colorado University Experience: Military Meteorological technician; Air Force; Instructor at the Adaptive Sports Center in Crested Butte, CO Early Project Concept: Using the leadership and attributes developed through outdoor education and adventure to build an awareness of environmental and social sustainability in communities. Brandon McNamara Degree: BA in Economics and Environmental Studies at Western Washington University Experience: Studied urban design and ecotourism in Greece; Clean Energy intern at ReSources in Bellingham Early Project Concept: Develop renewable energy solutions for communities to become energy self-­‐sufficient. Jake Mitchell Degree: BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from University of Northern Colorado Experience: Clean Energy Research, Boyd Technologies; Project lead on a Permaculture Design project; Assistant Director of Student Leadership for Environmental action Fund; Founder and Volunteer of Project Sprout (student led Garden at a High School) Early Project Concept: Applying sustainability and permaculture/Ecotourism in Costa Rica. Julia Nave Degree: BA in Geology from Colorado College Experience: Biological Technician with Clear Path Environmental; Wildlife Technician with the US Forest Service; Planning Committee member with Vortex North America Early Project Concept: Investigate conservation and management solutions for wildlife with shifting ranges and habitats. Guinevere Nelson Degree: BA in Biology from Western State Colorado University Experience: Watershed Director for Willow Creek Reclamation Committee, manager of the Lower Willow Creek Restoration Project; Weed Supervisor/Conservation Technician for the NRCS, Co-­‐Chair for San Luis Valley Rural Philanthropy Days. Early Project Concept: Developing monitoring plans and using that information to create and/or modify site-­‐specific management tasks and developing a toolbox for telling the story. Rick Norman Degree: BA in Sustainability Studies from Colorado Mountain College Experience: Conservation Tech for BookCliff, South Side, and Mount Sopris Conservation districts; Assistant instructor at Colorado Mountain College; Park Ranger Intern with the BLM; Volunteer with The Middle Colorado Watershed Council Early Project Concept: A restoration project above the town of Redstone Colorado. Ayodeji Oluwalana Degree: BA Environmental Management and Toxicology for University of Agriculture in Abeokuta, Nigeria Experience: Waste to Wealth Initiator, Covenant University, Nigeria; Intern with Forestry Research Institute; Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency Early Project Concept: Applying systems thinking and resilience theories to the field in a way that is unique to Nigeria and Africa as a whole. Ellen Patten Degree: Bachelor of Environmental Design, CU Boulder Experience: Office Intern for International Mountain Bicycling Association(IMBA); Coaching for Boulder Junior Cycling Early Project Concept: Creating a module for sustainable living to help people become better aware of our natural resources. Maddie Rehn Degree: BA in Environmental Studies, Western State Colorado University Experience: Project manager at the Mountain Pact, Farm to School Coordinator with Urban Roots; Garden classroom intern for Sustainable Development Strategies Group and High Country Citizens Alliance Early Project Concept: Developing and implementing impactful climate change solutions in mountain ski communities. Lissette Rios Degree: BS in Biology University of California, Riverside, CA Experience: Program Intern in Marine Microbiology at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium; Department of Entomology in UC Riverside Early Project Concept: Using a multi-­‐disciplinary and international approach to making waste and pollution obsolete especially in developing countries. Gillian Rossi Degree: BA in Environmental Studies, Hendrix College, AR Experience: Park Interpreter for Pinnacle Mountain State Park in Arkansas; Volunteer with Prairie Restoration and Prescribed Burn Early Project Concept: To study and record the impacts being created within the park and other public use of conservation areas throughout Arkansas. Julie Russell Degree: BS in Environmental Science Applied Ecology, California State University, CA Experience: Helped research Malakoff Diggins; Volunteer at the Villa Blanca research institute and hotel in Costa Rica; Interned with Associated Students Sustainability program at CSU Chico Early Project Concept: Developing a system to treat greywater that adheres to United States regulations. Laurel Smerch Degree: BS in Environmental Studies with a focus Public Policy from Northland College Experience: Project Coordinator with AmeriCorps OSM/VISTA with the Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas; Municipal Forestry Intern with the Village of Wilmette Forestry Department; Semester abroad in Solhimar, Iceland Early Project Concept: Ecological stewardship as a platform for economic development and stability. Tina Smiley Degree: AA in Criminal Justice, BS in Organizational Security and Management, MBA, University of Phoenix Experience: Implementing Environmental Management Systems at Amistad National Recreation Area (AMIS); Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail Interpretive Naturalist; Leadership Del Rio Program Early Project Concept: Will evaluate the direct and indirect environmental impact of well digging, evaluate the effects of water exportation, and create alternative proposals for surrounding areas in need of water. Rebecca F. Stern Degree: BS in Wildlife Biology from Lees-­‐McRae College in Banner Elk, NC Experience: Wildlife Technician with the US Forest Service in Grand Junction, CO; Research Biological Technician with the US Forest Service n Tahoe, CA; Research Technician, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Service in CO; CLM Botany Intern, BLM, Lander, WY Early Project Concept: Study on habitat conservation and restoration in areas of concern on public lands an monitoring species abundance and use within these areas. Mitch Warnick Degree: BS in Geology from College of Charleston Experience: Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, New Zealand; Eagle Scout; Media team for “Farm to Table” National Conference; Client relations for DigitalGlobe Early Project Concept: Find a way to increase outdoor experience opportunities in U.S. National Forests. Darius West Degree: BA in Philosophy and Political Science from Howard University, Washington, D.C. Experience: Outdoor Educator with High Trails, School Garden Army Intern through DC Greens Early Project Concept: Use plants to enhance soil, protect water sources and provide alternative food and energy sources to communities. Philipp Wickey Degree: BA in Geography from University of Colorado, Boulder, CO Experience: Biological Field Technician with the National Park Service; Greater Sage Grouse Field Research Assistant with the University of Wyoming; Arthropod Recovery Research Assistant with the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research Early Project Concept: Arthropod conservation and restoration ecology, with an emphasis on stakeholder collaboration. MJ Pickett Degree: BS in Natural Resource Planning from University of Vermont Experience: Farm to School Program Coordinator, Urban Roots Garden Classrooms, Reno, NV; Organic Farm Volunteer WWOOF in Chiloe, Chile; NGO intern ProBelize Service Corps in San Ignacio, Belize Early Project Concept: To become immersed in the local food movement and community and contribute to the long-­‐term sustainability of the local food system. Christopher Nutgrass Degree: BA in Environmental and Ecological Anthropology and BA in International Affairs from University of Georgia Experience: Agroforestry/Environment Extension Agent for the United States Peach Corps in Guinea, West Africa; Farm hand at Sapelo Farms; Teaching and Research Assistant in Gowa Ntcheu, Malawi Early Project Concept: International focus on communities and the decisions they face when approached by international and national organizations in regards to resources use and environmental implications. Cameron Ruyle Degree: BS in Environmental Biology from Illinois College Experience: Field Hand at a Prairie seed and plant production farm in Illinois Early Project Concept: Compare and contrast species numbers, health and other factors by wildlife surveys and game trail cameras that dwell in upland areas compared to bottomland areas. Larisa Chavez Degree: BS in Biology from The University of New Mexico Experience: Environmental Justice Diplomat with AmeriCorps VISTA in Albuquerque, NM; Kayaking Education Director, Instructor and Science Educator with Academic Adventures; Adventure Tour Leader with the University of New Mexico Recreation Department Early Project Concept: Emphasize the financial draw of sustainable ecotourism versus immediate economic prosperity of selling shark fins. Nell Jordan Degree: BA in Environmental Studies from Prescott College in AZ Experience: Environmental Management System Associate for the City and County of Denver; Teaching Assistant for Avian Conservation and Ornithology at Front Range Community College; Volunteer at the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory Early Project Concept: Learn the process and restoration of the Coal Creek Canyon (CCC), work side-­‐by-­‐side with engineers, watershed coordinators, volunteers and community members to make the CCC watershed more resilient. Kathryn Gilson Degree: BS in Biology from Texas State University Experience: AmeriCoprs VISTA for the Department of the Interior at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park; High School Science Teacher; Research Assistant for the Aquatic Biology Station of Texas State University Early Project Concept: Connecting communities to the science world in order to build a better relationship between the community and their environment.