WSP Corpsmembers

Placed at: Point Reyes National Seashore

University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA, B.S. Conservation Biology, GIS Certificate

Aidan was born in Fairfax, VA and raised in Charlottesville, VA since he was 5 years old. He stayed in Virginia for college, graduating in ’24 with a B.S. in Conservation Biology with a GIS certificate from the University of Mary Washington. During school, Aidan played soccer and completed independent research projects on oyster and stream fish ecology for his university. During summers he worked on an oyster farm in Maine which is where his passion for aquatics and working on the water really took off. After graduating Aidan gained experience in the field, working for an outdoor environmental education group in Virginia and for Idaho Fish and Game as a Resident Fisheries Technician. He is now all the way west at the Point Reyes placement site and is super excited to work with anadromous fish and to learn about California as a state. Specifically at Point Reyes, Aidan is excited to work with a variety of Park Service departments like the elephant seal and tule elk teams, and to just live in such a remote area. He chose to serve for WSP because the program is much more than a job, as it comes with a built-in community of amazing people and the opportunity to learn a variety of skills applicable to more than just fisheries work. In his free time, Aidan is looking forward to surfing, hiking, diving, biking, fishing, and eating good seafood in California.

Placed at: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Santa Barbara

University of California, Santa Barbara, B.S. Geohydrology

Alex grew up in Boulder, Colorado, but moved to California to study Geohydrology at UC Santa Barbara. This will be his second term serving with WSP at the California Department of Fish & Wildlife in Santa Barbara. He chose to serve a second term to develop more as a leader and work on more process-based restoration projects. In his opinion, WSP provides both hands-on mentorship and a varied program structure that makes Corpsmembers well-rounded. He most looks forward to participating in backpacking surveys in Los Padres in the fall. His favorite outdoor place is Santa Cruz Island. A fun fact about Alex is that his twin absorbed most of his nutrients in the womb, so he was born tiny while his twin was born hefty.

Placed at: Marin Water Fisheries Program

University of California, Santa Cruz, Environmental Studies, Concentration: Agroecology, Minor in History of Art and Visual Culture, Concentration: Indigenous American Art and Visual Culture

Alison grew up in the ephemeral creeks and oak grasslands of Sonoma, California. Her life’s focus is on how the natural environment and the species within it defines human culture. Alison is a skilled fiber artist and is passionate about heirloom gardening, herbalism, circular economics, prehistoric anthropology, basketry, and all kinds of music and dance. Alison worked in outdoor education and was drawn to WSP because of the unique balance of scientific fieldwork, community outreach, and education, within the ever-important context of watershed restoration. After completing her first WSP term placed at the USFWS Lodi office, Alison is excited to serve with the Marin Water Fisheries Program and dedicate her time to protecting the Coho salmon of Lagunitas Creek.

Placed at: NOAA Santa Cruz

University of California, Santa Cruz, B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Asher Wescott moved from New Mexico to California when he enrolled at the University of California-Santa Cruz in 2021. He graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology in spring 2025 and was then accepted into the Watershed Stewards Program. Asher has a background in salmon work, interning first with the Southwest Fisheries Science Center through the Hollings Preparation Program. There, he worked on hatchery data where the NOAA lab is rearing Coho Salmon. He later interned with the NOAA Orono Maine Field station through the Hollings Scholarship Program. At this site he helped design and collect data for an Atlantic Salmon habitat temperature study. He used the data collected through this project to write his senior thesis. Asher joined the WSP program to gain more experience with the various methods of handling salmon and ways to collect data about them in the field. He is excited to learn many new sampling methods, especially conducting snorkel surveys! Asher hopes to get a graduate degree in freshwater ecology so he can go on to become a researcher of watershed ecology. A fun fact about him is that he also loves herpetology!

Placed at: CDFW Fortuna, Coastal Watershed Planning and Assessment Program

California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, B.S. Wildlife Biology, Concentration: Conservation and Management; Minor in Scientific Diving

Originally from Richmond, California, Barbara made the move to Northern California in 2018 to pursue her passion for wildlife biology and conservation. Now she’s excited to serve a second term with WSP, building on the foundation of skills she gained in fisheries, hydrology, and habitat restoration. This term will allow her to focus on salmonid-specific fieldwork, surveys, and developing a deeper understanding of fisheries conservation. With WSP, Barbara is gaining invaluable experience in environmental conservation, fieldwork, and education. Based at CDFW Fortuna, she’s looking forward to the summer snorkel season and strengthening her connection to the Eel River.

Placed at: San Francisco Estuary Institute

Stanford University, M.S. Earth Science; B.S. Earth Science

Ben is an environmental scientist and educator from Orinda, California. He received his BS and MS in Earth Systems from Stanford University. His experience includes restoring native rainforest on Palmyra Atoll, conducting ecological monitoring surveys in the kelp forests of the Monterey Peninsula, and leading overnight environmental science field trips for Bay Area youth in the Marin Headlands. As a WSP Corpsmember at San Francisco Estuary Institute, Ben is excited to contribute to high-frequency water quality datasets focused on nutrient-related parameters in the sloughs, shallows, and channels of the SF Bay. This collaborative research will inform management decisions aimed at improving the Bay’s resilience to growing human populations and a changing climate. Through WSP, Ben seeks to learn how to bring together scientific tools, community engagement, and regulatory change to responsibly steward the San Francisco Bay. Besides research and teaching, Ben enjoys connecting with the land through surfing, harvesting wild foods, and community stewardship.

Placed at: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Eureka

California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, B.S. Environmental Science and Management, Emphasis: Natural Resources Recreation.

Born and raised in San Luis Obispo, CA, Clare moved northward to pursue a degree in Environmental Science and Management from Cal Poly Humboldt. Clare has always been fascinated with the natural world, and she quickly fell in love with Humboldt’s stunning natural beauty, diverse recreational opportunities, and tight-knit community. After graduating in 2023, Clare spent the past two years working for CDFW’s Cannabis Enforcement Program in Eureka, CA, where she traveled all over Humboldt, Trinity, and Mendocino counties to stop environmental degradation associated with illegal cannabis cultivation. Through her studies and work on the North Coast, she developed a deep love for the Emerald Triangle and a passion to protect plants, fish, wildlife, and the habitats they depend on. Clare chose to serve with WSP to develop her knowledge of restoration techniques and local species identification. She is excited to be placed at CDFW Eureka, where she will focus on conserving wetland and estuarine habitats. In her free time, Clare can be found swimming in the lagoons and Humboldt Bay, foraging mushrooms, playing ultimate frisbee, and birding. Her favorite bird is the American Dipper.

Placed at: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Lodi

California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, B.S. Environmental Science, Concentration: Ecological Restoration; Minor: Geospatial Analysis

Crystal is from Sacramento; she moved to Arcata to attend Cal Poly Humboldt and graduated with a degree in Environmental Science with an emphasis in Ecological Restoration and a minor in Geospatial Analysis. Crystal chose to serve with WSP because of the focus and commitment to improving watersheds, along with opportunities for personal development through community outreach and education. She is serving with US Fish and Wildlife in Lodi. She is excited to gain more knowledge about the ecology of the Delta, an area she grew up spending time around, and to have the opportunity to work with salmonids and Delta Smelt, which are federally listed species in the ESA. In her free time, Crystal loves gardening, crafting, going on runs, and reading.

Placed at: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Santa Barbara

University of California Berkeley, B.S. Molecular and Cell Biology Emphasis: Immunology/Infectious Disease

Dylan Hansen was born and raised in Orange County, California and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area for college. He graduated from UC Berkeley in May of 2023 with a degree in Molecular and Cell Biology, with an emphasis in Immunology / Infectious Disease. He hopes to combine his microbiology education with the environmental science experience WSP will offer.

He found WSP at the perfect time, learning of a program that offered the professional and personal opportunities he sought. After working for an environmental compliance company for over a year, he needed to be back in the field. WSP checked all the boxes: exciting and interesting service activities, professional development, unparalleled networking opportunities, and exploring new places.

Serving at CDFW Santa Barbara will be a unique experience, as the relatively low flow of water and focus on the endangered Steelhead Trout means he will likely encounter fewer fish than some other Corpsmembers. However, the lack of fish is made up for in the importance of the project. In the 10.5-month term, he hopes to contribute to improving the watersheds of the Steelhead Trout so they can one day return to their natal waters.

Placed at: Point Reyes National Seashore

Arizona State University, B.S. Conservation Biology and Ecology, Minor in Spanish

Fanny was born and raised in the Bay Area, California, where her love for green spaces emerged. She moved to Arizona ten years ago and received her Bachelor of Science at Arizona State University with a Spanish minor. A fun fact about her is that she collaborated with researchers at ASU in the discovery of new protist species in the microgut biome of termites! Fanny found WSP through a former Corpsmember who did their term at Grassroots Ecology, and immediately knew this was the program for her, with its structure that is introducing her into aquatic ecology working with salmonids in Point Reyes. She has sought opportunities to enter this sector of biology for a long time and is eager to have community outreach as a component of her position. Volunteering and community engagement are the foundational steps in connecting people to their outdoors, and Fanny wants to continue promoting this form of reciprocity in communities. What she is looking forward to the most at her placement site with the National Park Service in Point Reyes is getting to work with Coho and Steelhead Salmon through numerous surveying techniques. She also wants to teach the public about the work being done to save these species and the habitat restoration projects being conducted!

Placed at: Grassroots Ecology

University of California, Berkeley, B.A. Geography and History, Minor in Forestry and Natural Resources

Raised on the edge of the San Francisco Bay, Fiona holds a degree in Geography and History, with minors in Forestry and Natural Resources, from the University of California, Berkeley. Fiona chose to serve with WSP because of the diversity of hands-on experiences the program offers throughout California. She is excited to expand her knowledge about ecological restoration and engage her local community at Grassroots Ecology.

Placed at: Yurok Tribe Environmental Department

Rochester Institute of Technology, B.S. Multimedia Storytelling

California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, B.A, Restorative Stewardship Boundary Spanner

Fox was born and raised on the current and ancestral territory of the Haudenosaunee (currently called western New York) but they have been living in Goudi’ni (Arcata) the last two years. They have two bachelors degrees, a BS in Multimedia Storytelling from the Rochester Institute of Technology and a BA as a Restorative Stewardship Boundary Spanner from Cal Poly Humboldt. Fox chose to serve with the WSP to learn how to become a better steward of the earth and inspire others to do the same. WSP uniquely provides opportunities to teach children, host community volunteer events, as well as serve at the other placement sites, encouraging corpsmembers to try out a variety of ways to experience natural resource work. At YTED, Fox is most looking forward to all of the relationships they will get to nurture, the time they’ll spend with the Klamath River, and furthering their knowledge in Indigenous Natural Resource Management. They are an avid climber, dancer, hiker, stargazer, and frolicker. Fox loves eating food, finding cool bugs and pretty rocks, and will be playing in a garden any chance they get.

Placed at: CDFW Fortuna, Coastal Watershed Planning and Assessment Program

California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, B.S. Wildlife Biology, Emphasis: Conservation and Management

Hunter is from Oceanside, California in San Diego County. During his undergrad, Hunter volunteered at the Humboldt Wildlife Care Center rehabilitating injured wildlife in the Humboldt area. Post-graduation, he worked as a Scientific Aid for CDFW for two years and then worked in the private sector as a fisheries biologist doing salmonid habitat typing in creeks throughout Northern California. Hunter chose WSP after having served as a Scientific Aid through CDFW for two years. One season in the Marine Region, and another season in the Freshwater Region. While working in the Freshwater Region at CDFW Arcata, he met two WSP Corpsmembers (Kat and Tiffany) who were placed there and told him about the program and inspired him to join. WSP provides so many unique opportunities from hands-on work with salmonids to habitat conservation, and even public outreach/education. Having graduated with a background in Wildlife and focusing primarily on terrestrial vertebrates, WSP provides great opportunities for those who are looking to start a career in fisheries and watershed-related fields. Hunter is most looking forward to exploring the vast and wild Eel River Watershed which serves as a lifeline to both humans and animals alike along the North Coast. In his free time, Hunter loves to skateboard and has been skating for 19 years.

Placed at: NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Santa Cruz

University of California, Santa Cruz, B.A. Biology, Emphasis: Freshwater Ecology and Ichthyology

Originally from the East Bay Area, Jasmine earned her Associate’s of Science in Biology from Diablo Valley College in 2023 and promptly transferred to UC Santa Cruz to pursue her Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences. While attending UCSC, she discovered a deep passion for habitat restoration, specifically in California’s threatened coastal wetlands and watersheds. She proceeded to work at Younger Lagoon Reserve for a year, during which she gained experience as a field assistant involved with restoring habitat for endangered species such as Tidewater Gobies and California red-legged frogs. However, after an internship with the NOAA SWFSC, she fell in love with the monitoring and conservation of Pacific salmonids. Jasmine chose to serve with WSP to help refine her skills as an environmental steward through the unique fieldwork experiences, mentorship, and outreach the program offers. She is thrilled to be placed at NOAA SWFSC, where she will spend her days wrangling fish to help promote the ecological health and salmonid conservation of the Scotts Creek Watershed. Outside of work, Jasmine is a multimedia artist and naturalist with a love for tidepools and little critters.

Placed at: Central Coastal Wetlands Group

Columbia University, B.A. Environmental Science, Special Concentration: Environmental Biology

Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Julianne moved to central California to pursue a career in watershed conservation and environmental stewardship and to be part of the wonderful WSP. She chose to serve with WSP because it provides a diverse array of valuable environmental field skills while allowing her to meaningfully contribute to watershed health and restoration. She also loves that WSP gives back to the community and looks forward to organizing volunteer events and teaching watershed science in public schools. She is excited to get out in the field and conduct estuary, wetland, and water quality monitoring while further exploring her fascination with wetlands science and management at the Central Coast Wetlands Group, as well as her passion for environmental restoration through Coastal Conservation and Research. In her free time, Julianne likes to hike, dance, learn new instruments, and look for frogs!

Placed at: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Arcata

University of Miami. B.S. Marine Biology and Ecology, B.A. Chemistry, Minor in Biological Physics and Art.

Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Katie grew up exploring the outdoors and developing a passion for aquatic ecosystems. She pursued this interest at the University of Miami, where she studied marine biology. Over time, her curiosity evolved to focus on freshwater ecology and watershed conservation. Katie is grateful for the opportunity to serve with WSP, where she can learn from experienced scientists while helping to grow an established network of environmental stewards through watershed education and restoration events. At CDFW Arcata, she looks forward to gaining field experience in salmonid life cycle monitoring. She hopes to apply the knowledge gained during this experience toward graduate school after her service term. Outside of work, Katie enjoys a variety of hobbies, including cooking, knitting, and backpacking.

Placed at: WSP San Luis Obispo Office

University of Vermont, B.S. in Forestry, Concentration: Tropical Studies

Lake grew up with the colorful marshes and deciduous forests of the Connecticut coast. They briefly studied journalism at Northwestern University, then transferred to the University of Vermont’s Forestry program, graduating in 2024. Across many seasons of field work, from trail construction in the Rocky Mountains to wildlife surveys in Costa Rica, they cultivated a deep love for intersectional ecology. Now, they’re excited to combine their public relations background with solutions-oriented conservation efforts in California’s beautiful central coast. They’re grateful for the opportunity to empower other emerging environmentalists through WSP. One day they hope to become an interpretive ranger in a national park, as they strongly believe in nature’s ability to foster personal and social peace. In their free time, they enjoy alpine hikes, cold swims, songwriting, and volunteering around their neighborhood.

Placed at: US Fish & Wildlife Service, Lodi

University of California, Davis, B.S. Marine and Coastal Sciences, Concentration: Marine Ecology and Organismal Biology

Lawrence is an aspiring fisheries biologist from San Francisco, CA. He graduated from UC Davis with a B.S. in Marine and Coastal Sciences with an emphasis in Marine Ecology and Organismal Biology. He chose to apply and serve with WSP to gain experience in fisheries and fieldwork. One thing that attracted him to WSP was the diversity of opportunities it provided, one of which was the opportunity to experience a federal workplace. He is looking forward to getting hands-on experience with endangered species management in the California Delta with USFWS Lodi. His experience is with estuary food webs and MPAs, and he hopes to perform research and management as a career in these fields. In his free time, Lawrence is also an avid angler, kayaker, and aquarist.

Placed at: CCC Fortuna – Eel River Watershed Improvement Group

California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, B.A. Environmental Studies, Concentration: Ecology and Conservation

Maggie was born in Hawai’i and grew up between the island and Northern California. Most recently she was based in Santa Rosa in Sonoma County. She graduated in the spring of 2024 from Cal Poly Humboldt with a B.A. in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in Ecology and Conservation. She chose to serve with WSP because it is the perfect program to show her the ropes of field work and restoration planning, while simultaneously being supported among Mentors and peers. Her site with CCC-E.R.W.I.G. called to her because of its diverse roles with Stream Restoration Projects, collaboration with local tribes and non-profits, and the role of planning an environmental education event called Creek Days. She is looking forward to putting on Creek Days and getting hands-on S.R.P. Experience. Maggie is excited to expand her knowledge and use it to help preserve and protect the natural beauty that she grew up with.

Placed at: WSP Eureka Office 

University of California, Santa Barbara, B.A. Environmental Studies, Minor in Statistical Science

Mia is originally from Oakland, CA where she first fell in love with the redwoods as an escape from the surrounding city. She moved to Santa Barbara for college where she studied conservation and aquatic systems and fell in love with environmental education and community event organization for environmental protection. While in Santa Barbara, she began teaching watershed ecology to local students and saw how impactful hands-on learning and outdoor teaching can be. She took a year and a half long detour to hike up California on the PCT, work at a remote lodge in the Northern Sierra, and conduct research and teach ecology to high schoolers in Yellowstone National Park. Now, she is back in California in the redwoods, but in Humboldt this time, as a Team Leader for District B. She is excited to continue working in watershed education and volunteer organization and to develop her office skills, event planning, data analysis, map making, and field work. Outside of work, she hopes to have time to hike, backpack, camp, surf, run, climb, and cook.

Placed at: CDFW Fortuna, Coastal Wetland Watershed Planning and Assessment Program

California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, B.S. Wildlife Biology, Minor in Freshwater Ecology

Mica Mills is originally from Oceanside, California in San Diego. He received his bachelor’s in Wildlife Biology as well as a minor in Freshwater Ecology from Cal Poly Humboldt in 2023. He is passionate about freshwater and backcountry conservation, having spent most of his professional experience doing scientific research in backcountry rivers, lakes, and streams. He loves to spend his free time doing a good mix of outdoor and indoor activities. He is an avid runner, swimmer, rock climber, backpacker, and overall nature enjoyer. In addition, he loves spending his evenings reading, watching movies, or playing video games with his friends. He hopes to one day become an environmental scientist and give back to the communities he loves by protecting our natural resources. He chose to serve with WSP because he believes that it will give me him the experience and confidence he desires to chase his career goals. He is most excited about all the friends he will make as well as all the cool sites he will be able to explore this season.

Placed at: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Santa Barbara

Franklin & Marshall College, Major: Environmental Studies and Economics

Owen was born and raised on Long Island, New York and graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in 2024 with a degree in Environmental Studies and Economics. After graduating, Owen worked for USGS in Sequoia National Park and US Fish & Wildlife at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. Owen chose to serve with WSP to gain further field experience with endangered fish and learn more about ongoing watershed restoration efforts around California. He is excited to better understand the complexities between fish and human needs in order to make better-informed land and watershed management decisions. He believes WSP is unique in that it offers the chance to work with multiple different organizations and stakeholders involved in watershed restoration. He is excited to serve with both California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, as well as the local schools and community within Santa Barbara. Owen is most looking forward to electrofishing and PIT tagging Steelhead Trout. In his free time Owen enjoys backpacking, surfing, and playing soccer.

Placed at: Marin Water Fisheries Program 

University of California, Los Angeles, B.S. Environmental Science, Minor in Conservation Biology

Rachel grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles, but quickly fell in love with the Bay Area when she moved up for utility forestry, habitat restoration, botany, and community engagement work. Always drawn to water and wildlife, she is excited to learn about fisheries monitoring, data driven conservation, project management, and the cultural significance of salmonids in the Marin watershed. She enjoys ecology and exploring how all things are connected. Through all her different work, she’s passionate about making the outdoors accessible and engaging to marginalized communities. Her favorite way to recharge is through snowboarding, camping in the mountains, dancing to live music, and whichever craft she is currently fixated on.

Placed at: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Arcata

California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, B.S. Forestry, Concentration: Hydrology; Minor: Geospatial Analysis

Rize was born and raised in a small town called Montgomery Creek where her family lives off-grid. She grew up learning how to foster a symbiotic relationship with nature and very quickly recognized the connection between the health of the environment and human wellness. In 2020, Rize moved to Arcata to attend Cal Poly Humboldt and pursue a B.S. in Forest Hydrology with a minor in Geospatial Analysis. Rize’s studies taught her about traditional and contemporary watershed management practices, and she began to engage more in critical reflection about how settler colonialism has driven exploitative forest management by displacing Indigenous peoples and suppressing traditional ecological knowledge. One of Rize’s biggest life goals is to ensure her professional endeavors align with the values, culture, and environment of the location and community she finds herself immersed in. After graduation, Rize chose to serve with WSP because she is eager to restore and protect her local watersheds, strengthen and expand her network, and educate young minds on the importance of caring for one another and the environment. Rize is honored to serve at CDFW in Arcata where she will work with anadromous fish species who rely on the watersheds she has been calling home for the past 5 years. She is most excited to learn more about the unique life cycles of different species, such as Chinook, coho, steelhead, and lamprey.

Placement Site: SLO Steelhead Initiative

UC Davis, B.S. in Environmental Science and Management, Concentration: Ecology, Biodiversity, and Conservation

Ruby grew up in Claremont, California, and attended the University of California, Davis. She graduated with a degree in Environmental Science and Management with a concentration in Ecology, Biodiversity, and Conservation. She chose to join WSP to deepen her knowledge and expand on her previous work with freshwater ecology, watershed conservation, and salmonid restoration. She looks forward to being out in the field with SLO SI electrofishing, conducting snorkel and redd surveys, and learning more about Steelhead Trout in the San Luis Obispo Watershed from all five organizations with whom the site partners with. In her free time, Ruby loves to backpack, fly fish, ski, whitewater raft, run, and spend time outdoors.

Placed at: WSP San Luis Obispo Office

California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, B.S. Forestry, Concentration: Wildland Fire Management; Minor: Geospatial Analysis

Sabiha Betanzos, from Vallejo, California, recently graduated from Cal Poly Humboldt with a degree in Forestry, emphasizing Wildland Fire Management, and a minor in Geospatial Analysis. She joined the Watershed Stewards Program to build leadership and managerial skills that will support her goal of pursuing a career in wilderness or urban restoration management. Sabiha views WSP as an opportunity to gain valuable experience, expand her professional network, and establish herself as a dedicated steward of natural resources. Eager to explore her district’s sites, she looks forward to deepening her knowledge of urban restoration and watershed health. By combining her academic background with hands-on experience, Sabiha aims to make a positive impact on both ecosystems and communities. As a Mexican Indigenous woman, Sabiha stays connected to her cultural roots through Folklórico and Danza Azteca, which continue to inspire her commitment to environmental stewardship and community restoration.

Placed at: San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board

University of California, Santa Cruz, B.S. in Environmental Sciences and Molecular, Cell, & Developmental (MCD) Biology

Sarah was born and raised in the Bay Area and graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Sciences and Molecular Biology from UC Santa Cruz. Her undergraduate work focused on the ecology of the human gut microbiome and hydroponic wastewater treatment. She has always felt connected to water as an avid swimmer throughout childhood and is now excited to explore this passion professionally. At the SF Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, she is excited to learn about water regulation and develop her interests through a variety of projects. She is hoping to build a career that combines her interests in microbiology and water resources. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys singing, cooking, running, and swimming.

Placed at: CCC Fortuna, Eel River Watershed Improvement Group, Fortuna

California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, B.S. Environmental Science & Management, Concentration: Ecological Restoration; Minor in Geospatial Analysis

Sol grew up in Southern California where her interactions with nature were limited to her cross country runs in the chaparral hills. During her senior year of high school, Sol visited Portland, OR and, witnessing the stark contrast between the dry, desert environment of SoCal and the lush greenery of the PNW, confirmed for her that she wanted to go to college up north. In 2020, she arrived at Humboldt State University as an international studies major. As she began to familiarize herself with her new home amongst the redwoods, her curiosity about the natural world grew. Eventually, she switched to an Environmental Science and Management degree where she could learn more about the flora and fauna around her. She worked in an Aquatic Ecology Lab on campus that exposed her to the world of watershed science and restoration. In the summer of 2023, she participated in a field course exploring watershed restoration efforts all through the Klamath River Basin during the momentous times of dam removal. The hands-on experience she got through this course inspired her to apply for WSP and continue the work of restoring salmonid habitat. During her term, Sol hopes to learn new monitoring techniques, utilize her GIS skills, assist in restoration planning, and inspire the next generation of scientists through educational outreach.

Placed at: Bureau Land Management, Arcata

California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, B.A. Environmental Studies, Emphasis: Ecology and Conservation

Stella grew up on unceded Sinkyone land in what is now-called Southern Humboldt County. Her upbringing instilled in her a love of the river, and she is excited to spend the next year helping to monitor salmonid species in the Mattole river. She earned her A.S. degree in Environmental Science from Santa Barbara City College and later received a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Cal Poly Humboldt. Her main areas of study were environmental justice, political ecology, knowledge production, and ecological restoration. Her education helped her to understand the connections between settler colonialism in California and declining fish populations, and she is looking forward to using this knowledge to help teach children and advocate a political approach to science. Stella chose to serve a second year with WSP because she wants to deepen her understanding of fisheries biology and best practices for monitoring, education, and restoration. She sees this program as a great way to gain experience and is most excited to monitor for salmonid species on the unceded lands of the Mattole and Sinkyone peoples, now called the Lost Coast.

Placed at: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Santa Barbara

Loyola University Chicago, Masters of Public Policy; B.A. Environmental Policy; Minor: Political Science

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Summer moved to Southern California in 2023 to pursue a career in natural resources. She is driven to protect our planet and wants to connect all aspects of environmental stewardship – from political advocacy to hands-on watershed restoration. Now in her second year with WSP, Summer is excited to continue applying what she learned to protect Southern California Steelhead populations. In particular, Summer looks forward to contributing to wildfire mitigation efforts by conducting fish rescues and restoring upland native habitats with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy. She is also passionate about environmental justice and approaches her work through this lens. Outside of work, Summer loves to explore the chaparral and oak woodlands of Southern California. Her favorite animal is a Double-crested Cormorant, and if she was a fish, she would be a Northern Pike!

Placed at: Yurok Tribe Environmental Department

University California at Santa Barbara, B.S. Hydrological Science and Policy, Emphasis Biology/Ecology

Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Thatcher is very far from home working in the Klamath Watershed. Their first year was a huge social adjustment to NorCal, more specifically the quirkiness of Arcata and other small neighboring towns. They’re happy and honored to be serving their second year of the program with the Yurok Tribe once more. Coming from an immigrant family and raised by a single mother, Thatcher is dedicated to the work of community and stepping up when needed. After completing their degree in Hydrological Science and Policy from UC-Santa Barbara, they were hungry to apply their textbook knowledge in the field. Their first year really tested their limits and forced them to build a community of friends. Their intentions with another year of WSP is to welcome this year’s corpsmembers and refine their skillset as a young hydrologist. The last year provided much grit and realistic development for what this career would be like for them. The foundation they cultivated last year will be used as a springboard for this year’s expansion of water quality knowledge and professional conduct. They look forward to this year and beautiful views of Northern California, as they never cease to amaze.

Placed at: Bureau Land Management, Arcata

Ramapo College, B.S. Environmental Science

Veronica grew up in New Jersey, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science at Ramapo College before moving to California with her fiancé. She chose to serve a second term with the Watershed Stewards Program because it offers endless opportunities to gain first-hand experience with salmonid conservation and to connect with others who are equally passionate about environmental stewardship. This year, Veronica is serving with BLM Arcata, and she is so excited to learn more about in-stream restoration in addition to practicing her environmental education and interpretation skills. She loves being outside and connecting with nature, and spends her free time hiking, backpacking, biking, and birdwatching. A fun fact about Veronica is that she initially attended fashion school before deciding to head down a new path and become a naturalist!

Placed at: Grassroots Ecology

Northwestern University, M.S. Plant Biology and Conservation with a focus in Fire Ecology and Plant Behavior, B.S. Journalism with an additional major in Environmental Science

Wyatt grew up in Minnesota before moving to Chicagoland to attend Northwestern University. During her undergraduate studies, a summer research program in the fragmented prairies of Minnesota led her to fall in love with the field of ecology. She continued collaborating with her prairie research group at the Chicago Botanic Garden, working as their lead research assistant and eventually completing a combined BS/MS program focusing on plant parents’ and their offspring’s responses to fire. Wyatt recently moved to the Bay Area and was thrilled to find a position with WSP at Grassroots Ecology, offering her the opportunity to gain new skills in restoration and education while familiarizing herself with the ecosystems of her new home. While she’s excited by the plant-specific focus of her placement site, in line with her background and goals, she’s grateful for the site-sharing opportunities WSP offers and eager to learn more about more direct efforts of salmonid conservation (and to touch some fish). When Wyatt isn’t working in/enjoying the outdoors, she’s probably in the kitchen baking something savory, chopping veggies, and improvising.