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The Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute has an AmeriCorps program
that currently serves communities in the Moscow and Lewiston areas as
well as the greater Portland region. Through 30 partnerships with
schools, community-based organizations and government agencies, PCEI
addresses critical environmental and equity issues in the areas of
healthy watersheds, energy and resource conservation, environmental
education and outreach, as well as sustainable community
development.
National and Community Service programs meet critical needs in areas
such as education, public safety, health and the environment through
partnerships with public agencies, non-profits, faith-based and other
local organizations.
Read below for information on our current Moscow, ID members. Visit the
Confluence Environmental Center page to view our current members
in Portland, OR.
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Jase Brooks
Jase Brooks grew up on the Texas Gulf Coast next to a national wildlife
refuge, but spent summers in the Piney Woods of east Texas hiking and
exploring the Davy Crockett National Forest. He attended Texas A&M
University to study Management, before transferring and completing
degrees in Management and Human Services at the University of Phoenix.
He has worked for several community and local action groups in the
Austin area, such as the Green Corn Project, which builds high yield
home gardens for residents without financial or physical means to build
them for themselves. He has also worked as a volunteer lobbyist for both
Planned Parenthood and Alliance for a Clean Texas and has worked as a
volunteer coordinator and restorationist for ecological restoration
projects for Austin Department of Parks and Recreation and the Puget
Creek Restoration Society in Tacoma, Washington. Most recently, Jase
completed a master's degree in Bioregional Planning emphasizing
transboundary natural resources management and intergovernmental
relations. He also holds a graduate certification in Restoration
Ecology. |
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Nick Brown
Nick Brown is originally from Montana. He received a B.A. in economics
from St. Olaf College in Minnesota and a M.S. in Bioregional Planning
and Community Design from the University of Idaho. Between degrees
Nick moved to the McCall ID area to ski, but ended up spending time as
a development consultant working on residential and mixed-use projects,
primarily on the entitlement process. His current AmeriCorps position
is with the Office of Economic Development at the University of Idaho
helping the University create a statewide economic development plan for
Idaho. |
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Aaron Buckley
Raised in Ohio with an interest in bicycles and alternative
transportation Aaron traveled to the University of Idaho to finish up a
Bachelors in Resource Recreation and Tourism after receiving an
Associates from Hocking College in Ecotourism and Adventure Travel. Now
focused on a Masters Degree in Bioregional Planning with an emphasis on
Transportation he will be looking at ways of improving transportation
systems in Moscow and helping create and/or use tools here and around
the state for the betterment of pedestrians and cyclists. With
experiences working for state recreation agencies, Glacier National
Park, the Idaho Conservation League, and years of work in bicycle shops
he is ready to research and try new things for Idaho's transportation
systems and AmeriCorps! |
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Daniel Callister
Born and raised in Utah, Dan is a big fan of the outdoors. After
spending 2 years in northeastern Brazil, he earned a B.A. in Geography
from Utah State University with a minor in Portuguese. He worked for 2
years as a GIS analyst for PMG Environmental before moving to Moscow,
Idaho for graduate school. Dan is currently finishing a master's degree
in Bioregional Planning and Community Design at the University of Idaho
where his research has focused on transportation planning. The work he
is currently engaged in for AmeriCorps involves creating GIS tools that
will help Idaho communities to promote bikeability. Dan loves
bike-riding, fishing, camping, backpacking and traveling with his wife
and dog. |
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Nathan DeSpain
Nathan is originally from southern California but spent most of his life
in Enterprise Oregon, right next to the Wallowa Mountains. He is
currently working with the Clearwater Economic Development Association
as an AmeriCorps member. He will be involved with developing a
marketing strategy and business plan for a newly formed organization
(American Manufacturer Network). Nathan is attending Lewis-Clark State
College and will graduate in May 2012 with a B.S in business
administration and a minor in marketing. Throughout college he owned
and operated a parasailing business on Wallowa Lake. Now with a wife
and a two year old baby girl he recognizes the value of economic and
community development. |
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Guy Hopkins
Guy is an Idaho native, a University of Idaho alumnus BS Geography in
Land Use Management, and currently a University of Idaho Graduate
Student. He has over 15 + years experience working as Natural
Resource/Water Specialist as well as a Conservation Planner. His
personal interest lie with Rural Economic Development,
alternative-sustainable energy production, planning, and natural
resource/agricultural conservation management. He has worked for Tribal
governments, Soil & Water Conservation Districts, local municipalities,
and private organizations. He served 9 years as a US Army Engineer
Officer in the US Army Reserves and Idaho Army National Guard. In his
career, he has served on multi-state, state, and regional committees &
boards, the Hanford Health FACA Sub-committee, several endangered
species recovery teams, and in many other capacities in his
professional career. Guy is working with Darin Saul at the University
of Idaho Office of Community Partnerships as a Sustainable Planning
Specialist. Guy loves all outdoor recreation including fishing,
camping, winter sports, traveling, and tinkering.
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Mystera Samuelson
Due to the fact that I grew up in Montana, and in an outdoorsy family, I
have long had an interest in conservation. I have always been fascinated
specifically by animal behavior and how a knowledge of that behavior
contributes to conservation. In pursuit of this goal, I earned my B.S.
in psychology from Montana State in 2009 and will be finishing up my
M.S. in Natural Resources this spring at the University of Idaho. My
current work for AmeriCorps involves assisting with and writing up
research on visitors to our National Park System sites. This has direct
conservation and management implications and is therefore rewarding.
Furthermore, this experience with statistics and research methodology
furthers my goal of improving myself academically. When I am not
studying, doing research, or working for AmeriCorps I am spending time
with my awesome husband and our two awesome dogs as well as running,
hiking, or enjoying some quiet yoga time. |
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Mogley Samter
Mogley is a University of Idaho graduate in Bio Systems Engineering. He
has been an assistant teacher for Physics and Engineering. In addition
to some performances with a violin and fiddle group, Mogley has
organized and directed community fencing club in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.
Mogley is eager to learn how to help those who have undergone trauma to
live better lives by advancing the field of robotic prosthetics. |
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Elena Thompson
Hello my name is Elena Thompson, I am currently a student at the
University of Idaho studying Agricultural Systems Management and
Agricultural Economics. I am 19, and graduated from Kendrick High
School in 2010. Throughout high school I participated in many extra
curricular activities such as 4-H, FFA, Track & Field, BPA, and many
other school organizations and scholarship programs. I was the
2009-2010 National Rural Electrical Cooperative Association Youth
Leadership Council Member for the state of Idaho, this program opened
my eyes to how different parts of the country do things differently. I
have become interested in some of the sustainability programs,
especially involving agriculture. Currently I am working on projects
for UI Sustainability Center such as Greek Recycling, the Law School's
Recycling Program, as well as the Sustainability and Campus's Food to
Farm project. Outside of school I enjoy to sew, read, hunt, fish, among
other various outdoor activities. |
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Garry Whitebird
Garry is a Wisconsin native working with the University of Idaho
Sustainability Center as an AmeriCorps volunteer through the
Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute. He loves recycling, turning
off lights, and encouraging others to do the same. Garry is working on
several projects with the Sustainability Center including developing a
campus-wide recycling program. He earned his B.S. in Landscape
Architecture – Natural Resources from the University of Wisconsin and
is now earning a PSM degree in Natural Resources and Environmental
Sciences. When he is not studying, working, or volunteering, Garry
enjoys swimming, biking, and running. |
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