Coburn Hanson, Restoration Coordinator - Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute

Coburn was born and raised in the north woods of rural Wisconsin, where he spent his childhood roaming the area’s dense forests. His love for the outdoors and his experience watching the climate dramatically shift in his home region drove his decision to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in Environmental Studies and Geography, the latter with a concentration in People-Environment Interactions. During college, Coburn also discovered an interest in the Russian language, and learned to read, write, and speak it.

After graduation, Coburn was drawn to the stunning physical geography of the American West. He first interned with the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks, focusing on aquatic habitat and access biology in the Black Hills and Great Plains. While in South Dakota, he began volunteering as a coach for a local youth soccer club, and the joy he found in coaching led him to his next role as an environmental educator in Fairbanks, Alaska. Now in Idaho, Coburn is excited to bring his educational and professional experiences to his new role as PCEI’s Restoration Coordinator. In his free time, he enjoys backpacking, hiking, powerlifting, and all things sports.