LWC Board of Directors
Board Officers
Karin Stutzman - President
Karin has lived in the Pacific Northwest for over 20 years. Her current home is along the Little Luckiamute River with her husband, and she enjoys swimming and playing there with her dog. Living here inspires her dedication to restoring and maintaining healthy watersheds and managing natural resources. Karin has been on the Council Board for over 6 years, and is currently serving on the Outreach and Education Committee. In the past she has served on the Project Review Committee and as a member of the Steering Committee. She volunteers for other Council projects as often as possible, including the Adopt-a-Road clean-up along Buena Vista Road. Being on the Board has helped Karin to expand and grow her knowledge base surrounding what makes an effective team, and learn first-hand that it is an enormous task to carry out on-the-ground conservation work.
Karin has lived in the Pacific Northwest for over 20 years. Her current home is along the Little Luckiamute River with her husband, and she enjoys swimming and playing there with her dog. Living here inspires her dedication to restoring and maintaining healthy watersheds and managing natural resources. Karin has been on the Council Board for over 6 years, and is currently serving on the Outreach and Education Committee. In the past she has served on the Project Review Committee and as a member of the Steering Committee. She volunteers for other Council projects as often as possible, including the Adopt-a-Road clean-up along Buena Vista Road. Being on the Board has helped Karin to expand and grow her knowledge base surrounding what makes an effective team, and learn first-hand that it is an enormous task to carry out on-the-ground conservation work.
George Grosch – Treasurer/Secretary
Prior to his recent retirement George specialized in rabble rousing and community involvement in and around Corvallis and Benton County. He served 10 years on the Corvallis City Council and was involved in a number of social justice organizations as a Staff and/or Board member. George currently lives with his wife Annie on 13 acres along the Luckiamute River in Hoskins where they raise chickens, grow organic vegetables, oversee grandchildren and serve as companions to assorted cats and dogs. This is his second stint as a Board Member with LWC and he is happy to be back helping the Council fulfill its mission.
Prior to his recent retirement George specialized in rabble rousing and community involvement in and around Corvallis and Benton County. He served 10 years on the Corvallis City Council and was involved in a number of social justice organizations as a Staff and/or Board member. George currently lives with his wife Annie on 13 acres along the Luckiamute River in Hoskins where they raise chickens, grow organic vegetables, oversee grandchildren and serve as companions to assorted cats and dogs. This is his second stint as a Board Member with LWC and he is happy to be back helping the Council fulfill its mission.
Board Members
Britton Castor
Born and raised in the Willamette Valley, Britton has made her forever home with her family on 23 acres in the heart of the Luckiamute Watershed near Pedee. She started her career in pharmaceutical research but has now worked as a high school science teacher in the area for 10 years. Engaging students in stewardship activities and outdoor learning experiences has been the highlight of her career. Another passion is being involved in the Polk Community Emergency Response Team and teaching youth classes in preparedness. In her free time, Britton enjoys gardening, hiking, and spending time with her family, dogs, cats, chickens, and goats. Being surrounded by nature daily inspires her to advocate for, protect and restore our beautiful watershed so that it will be healthy and prosperous for future generations to come.
Born and raised in the Willamette Valley, Britton has made her forever home with her family on 23 acres in the heart of the Luckiamute Watershed near Pedee. She started her career in pharmaceutical research but has now worked as a high school science teacher in the area for 10 years. Engaging students in stewardship activities and outdoor learning experiences has been the highlight of her career. Another passion is being involved in the Polk Community Emergency Response Team and teaching youth classes in preparedness. In her free time, Britton enjoys gardening, hiking, and spending time with her family, dogs, cats, chickens, and goats. Being surrounded by nature daily inspires her to advocate for, protect and restore our beautiful watershed so that it will be healthy and prosperous for future generations to come.
David Ehlers
Dave has owned and managed a small property in the upper Luckiamute watershed for over 15 years, improving timber resources, as well as oak, riparian, upland and wetland habitats. A retired physician, he and his wife recently settled in the Luckiamute watershed, enjoying rural life and woodland management. David joined the LWC Board in March 2016, and the Education and Outreach Committee in December 2018. David recently completed the Benton County Master Gardener program and is on the Benton County Small Woodlands Association Board.
Dave has owned and managed a small property in the upper Luckiamute watershed for over 15 years, improving timber resources, as well as oak, riparian, upland and wetland habitats. A retired physician, he and his wife recently settled in the Luckiamute watershed, enjoying rural life and woodland management. David joined the LWC Board in March 2016, and the Education and Outreach Committee in December 2018. David recently completed the Benton County Master Gardener program and is on the Benton County Small Woodlands Association Board.
Nick Hazelton
Nick is a yak and hog rancher on the Luckiamute River. He is part of the 4th generation of a family that emigrated to the Luckiamute Watershed in the early 1900’s, and has lived his whole life on the farm he manages now. Nick’s main passion is connecting people with their food and the land we live on. Understanding the details of the local ecology and how it applies to managing livestock and food crops is very important to him. He grew up on the Luckiamute River that was hard to access through the Himalayan blackberry. Nick is on the board to reciprocate the impact the Watershed Council has made on his land and life.
Nick is a yak and hog rancher on the Luckiamute River. He is part of the 4th generation of a family that emigrated to the Luckiamute Watershed in the early 1900’s, and has lived his whole life on the farm he manages now. Nick’s main passion is connecting people with their food and the land we live on. Understanding the details of the local ecology and how it applies to managing livestock and food crops is very important to him. He grew up on the Luckiamute River that was hard to access through the Himalayan blackberry. Nick is on the board to reciprocate the impact the Watershed Council has made on his land and life.
Jackson Stalley
Jackson has always had relationships with rivers and he's loved fishing for as long as he can remember. A child of the west, Jackson has lived in Colorado, Washington, Idaho, New Mexico, Utah and, for the last 18 years, in Oregon. He lives on the upper reaches of Ash Creek and has been connected to the Luckiamute River for many years as both a local resident and frequent visitor of the river. Jackson is the second person from his home to serve on the LWC, following the example of his spouse, Emily Plec. Currently, he works at Western Oregon University’s Hamersly Library, following a decade in the outdoor industry. Jackson advises the WOU Campus Garden and helped establish the WOU Food Pantry, one of the first on a US college campus. He is an avid (addicted?) fly fisher and tyer and can often be found paddling the waters of the Lucki with Emily and their dog, Meisie.
Jackson has always had relationships with rivers and he's loved fishing for as long as he can remember. A child of the west, Jackson has lived in Colorado, Washington, Idaho, New Mexico, Utah and, for the last 18 years, in Oregon. He lives on the upper reaches of Ash Creek and has been connected to the Luckiamute River for many years as both a local resident and frequent visitor of the river. Jackson is the second person from his home to serve on the LWC, following the example of his spouse, Emily Plec. Currently, he works at Western Oregon University’s Hamersly Library, following a decade in the outdoor industry. Jackson advises the WOU Campus Garden and helped establish the WOU Food Pantry, one of the first on a US college campus. He is an avid (addicted?) fly fisher and tyer and can often be found paddling the waters of the Lucki with Emily and their dog, Meisie.
Jay Tappen
Jay is a relative newcomer to Oregon. Retiring from the planning profession in 2014, he and his wife Jane travelled in a small RV for three and a half years exploring Alaska and environs west of the Mississippi River. In May 2017 they arrived at the Luckiamute State Natural Area to volunteer as site hosts. Jay and Jane have lived midway between Airlie and Kings Valley since May 2019. Jay’s varied background includes creating and managing a cooperative marketing association for recyclable materials in 21 Wisconsin counties and ten years as a founding board member for 1000 Friends of Wisconsin Land Use Institute. Jay expects to apply his experience and energy in working with the watershed community to carry forth this organization’s mission.
Jay is a relative newcomer to Oregon. Retiring from the planning profession in 2014, he and his wife Jane travelled in a small RV for three and a half years exploring Alaska and environs west of the Mississippi River. In May 2017 they arrived at the Luckiamute State Natural Area to volunteer as site hosts. Jay and Jane have lived midway between Airlie and Kings Valley since May 2019. Jay’s varied background includes creating and managing a cooperative marketing association for recyclable materials in 21 Wisconsin counties and ten years as a founding board member for 1000 Friends of Wisconsin Land Use Institute. Jay expects to apply his experience and energy in working with the watershed community to carry forth this organization’s mission.
Scott Youngblood
Scott has worked for Oregon Parks and Recreation Department as the Willamette River Greenway Ranger for about a dozen years, taking care of state park land along the Willamette River and its tributaries. His work involves coordinating with many other government agencies, watershed councils, land trusts, farmers, and members of the public to restore and protect the riparian corridors along the river, as well as providing resources for recreational users. Scott has recently moved to the Luckiamute Watershed, and lives within sight of the river and within the floodplain of the Luckiamute River. He has seen the work the watershed council has done over the years and is excited to be a part of it. He hopes that his work will help make the river a cleaner, healthier river for his daughters and all the other citizens of Oregon to enjoy and be proud of. Scotts look forward to seeing you out on the river!
Scott has worked for Oregon Parks and Recreation Department as the Willamette River Greenway Ranger for about a dozen years, taking care of state park land along the Willamette River and its tributaries. His work involves coordinating with many other government agencies, watershed councils, land trusts, farmers, and members of the public to restore and protect the riparian corridors along the river, as well as providing resources for recreational users. Scott has recently moved to the Luckiamute Watershed, and lives within sight of the river and within the floodplain of the Luckiamute River. He has seen the work the watershed council has done over the years and is excited to be a part of it. He hopes that his work will help make the river a cleaner, healthier river for his daughters and all the other citizens of Oregon to enjoy and be proud of. Scotts look forward to seeing you out on the river!
Council Committee Members
The Luckiamute Watershed Council's committees are essential to our project prioritization, event organizing, fundraising and strategic planning processes, and we could not be successful without the many volunteers that contribute their valuable time, energy and talents! Below is a list of our current committees and their members, with committee chairs highlighted in bold print. Click on the committee title to see a description of each, and contact us at 503-837-0237 or Director@LuckiamuteLWC.org if you would like to find out more about joining one of our committees!
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Governance Committee
Maya Cook (Operations Coordinator) George Grosch (President/Treasurer) Nick Hazelton Kristen Larson (Executive Director) Project Review Committee (PRC)
Brian Bangs Marc Bell Heidi Christensen Aubrey Cloud (Project Manager) Dave Ehlers (Board) Douglass Fitting Ross Hiatt (Restoration Projects Manager) Phil Larsen Kristen Larson (Executive Director) Chris Seal Scott Youngblood (Board) Monitoring Sub-Committee
Aubrey Cloud (Project Manager) Douglass Fitting Derek Godwin Ross Hiatt (Restoration Projects Manager) Phil Larsen Kristen Larson (Executive Director) Jonah Nicholas (Monitoring Coordinator) |
Finance Committee
Judy Beebe Britton Castor (Board) Dan Farnworth George Grosch (President/Treasurer) Kristen Larson (Executive Director) Fundraising Committee (FRC)
Maya Cook (Operations Coordinator) Kristen Larson (Executive Director) Jackson Stalley (Board) Jay Tappen (Board) Britton Castor (Board) Nick Hazelton (Board) Education and Outreach (EnO) Committee
Dave Ehlers (Board) Nick Hazelton Morgan Neil Suzanne Teller (Outreach Coordinator) Sarah Willis |
LWC Staff
Kristen Larson -- Executive Director
Kristen has been the Executive Director of the Luckiamute Watershed Council since September 2012. Shortly after starting the job, she and her husband became Ash Creek watershed residents, moving from Corvallis to Independence. Kristen has a bachelor's degree with a double major in Biology and Environmental Science from the College of William and Mary. She served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador, where she met her Oregonian husband who was also in the Peace Corps, and moved to Oregon in 2003. Kristen has worked in science communications, outreach, and management, and after teaching English in Thailand, returned to Oregon to complete a Professional Science Master's degree in Environmental Science with a focus on water resources at Oregon State University.
Kristen has been the Executive Director of the Luckiamute Watershed Council since September 2012. Shortly after starting the job, she and her husband became Ash Creek watershed residents, moving from Corvallis to Independence. Kristen has a bachelor's degree with a double major in Biology and Environmental Science from the College of William and Mary. She served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador, where she met her Oregonian husband who was also in the Peace Corps, and moved to Oregon in 2003. Kristen has worked in science communications, outreach, and management, and after teaching English in Thailand, returned to Oregon to complete a Professional Science Master's degree in Environmental Science with a focus on water resources at Oregon State University.
Maya Cook -- Operations Coordinator
Maya became Operations Coordinator in May 2022, after a year of volunteering for LWC. She and her husband, Jim, moved to Monmouth in spring of 2021, after two decades of living in southern New Jersey. The first thing she did was identify the local watershed council and become a Friend. Maya grew up in Missouri, where she could identify flora and fauna before she could read, yet it never occurred to her to pursue a career in natural resources. Instead, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University in History. She finally had her “aha moment” in 2016, when she realized teaching wasn’t for her and began pursuing a BS in Environmental Science part time through Oregon State University e-campus. She fell for watershed restoration the minute she read about it in class and can’t believe she’s literally living the dream!
Maya became Operations Coordinator in May 2022, after a year of volunteering for LWC. She and her husband, Jim, moved to Monmouth in spring of 2021, after two decades of living in southern New Jersey. The first thing she did was identify the local watershed council and become a Friend. Maya grew up in Missouri, where she could identify flora and fauna before she could read, yet it never occurred to her to pursue a career in natural resources. Instead, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University in History. She finally had her “aha moment” in 2016, when she realized teaching wasn’t for her and began pursuing a BS in Environmental Science part time through Oregon State University e-campus. She fell for watershed restoration the minute she read about it in class and can’t believe she’s literally living the dream!
Suzanne Teller -- Outreach Coordinator
Suzanne became the Outreach Coordinator for the Luckiamute Watershed Council in December 2013. She is the former coordinator of the Izaak Walton League’s Protect Our Wetlands program and continues to be a guest writer for their Outdoor America magazine. Suzanne has a BS in Environmental Science with a focus on wildlife ecology from Western Washington University, and a Dual MA in International Affairs and Natural Resources and Sustainable Development from American University. Her passion for community-based conservation has taken her all over the world, including West Africa, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Washington DC and – most recently – the Pacific NW. She is thrilled to have found a beautiful place to put down roots with her husband, Jay, and two boys, Jayson and Oliver.
Suzanne became the Outreach Coordinator for the Luckiamute Watershed Council in December 2013. She is the former coordinator of the Izaak Walton League’s Protect Our Wetlands program and continues to be a guest writer for their Outdoor America magazine. Suzanne has a BS in Environmental Science with a focus on wildlife ecology from Western Washington University, and a Dual MA in International Affairs and Natural Resources and Sustainable Development from American University. Her passion for community-based conservation has taken her all over the world, including West Africa, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Washington DC and – most recently – the Pacific NW. She is thrilled to have found a beautiful place to put down roots with her husband, Jay, and two boys, Jayson and Oliver.
Aubrey Cloud -- Project Manager
Aubrey joined the Luckiamute Watershed Council as Project Manager in May 2020. Aubrey moved to Oregon from Denver, Colorado in 2011 to pursue education in Natural Resources and Ecosystem Restoration at Oregon State University. He has been working to restore the Willamette Valley’s native habitats since 2016, when he was hired as a restoration contractor. Starting as a crew member doing boots on the ground restoration work (often at LWC sites), Aubrey continued to work as a Crew Leader and then a Project Coordinator, improving riparian and floodplain forest habitat at a wide range of sites throughout the Valley. In his free time, Aubrey loves writing, native plant gardening, and amateur paleontology. Aubrey lives in Corvallis and also serves as a Project Manager for the Marys River Watershed Council.
Aubrey joined the Luckiamute Watershed Council as Project Manager in May 2020. Aubrey moved to Oregon from Denver, Colorado in 2011 to pursue education in Natural Resources and Ecosystem Restoration at Oregon State University. He has been working to restore the Willamette Valley’s native habitats since 2016, when he was hired as a restoration contractor. Starting as a crew member doing boots on the ground restoration work (often at LWC sites), Aubrey continued to work as a Crew Leader and then a Project Coordinator, improving riparian and floodplain forest habitat at a wide range of sites throughout the Valley. In his free time, Aubrey loves writing, native plant gardening, and amateur paleontology. Aubrey lives in Corvallis and also serves as a Project Manager for the Marys River Watershed Council.
Ross Hiatt -- Restoration Projects Manager
Ross became the LWC Restoration Projects Manager in December 2022 and while new to the work in the Luckiamute, he is an Oregon native and has lived most of his life here. Ross was raised in a family of loggers and grew up hunting and fishing and enjoying the outdoors as often as possible. When Ross became aware of fluvial geomorphology as a field of study in college it was a watershed moment for him, and it became the primary focus of his time at the University of Oregon and for his MS from the University of Idaho. Ross has worked on water rights issues in eastern Washington, water quality in the Redwood forests of Northern California, and was on the state-wide wildfire cleanup project from beginning to end. Ross enjoys playing basketball, backpacking, and multiple sci-fi mediums while he navigates the treasures and treacheries of parenting a high schooler.
Ross became the LWC Restoration Projects Manager in December 2022 and while new to the work in the Luckiamute, he is an Oregon native and has lived most of his life here. Ross was raised in a family of loggers and grew up hunting and fishing and enjoying the outdoors as often as possible. When Ross became aware of fluvial geomorphology as a field of study in college it was a watershed moment for him, and it became the primary focus of his time at the University of Oregon and for his MS from the University of Idaho. Ross has worked on water rights issues in eastern Washington, water quality in the Redwood forests of Northern California, and was on the state-wide wildfire cleanup project from beginning to end. Ross enjoys playing basketball, backpacking, and multiple sci-fi mediums while he navigates the treasures and treacheries of parenting a high schooler.
Jonah Nicholas -- Monitoring Coordinator
Jonah joined the LWC as Monitoring Coordinator in April 2023. Jonah is originally from the Mid-Willamette Valley and grew up in the forests of the Oregon Coast Range and Cascades. He loves exploring the local environment through hiking, backpacking, running, and canoeing. Jonah followed his love of the outdoors and studied at Oregon State University where he received a bachelor's degree in Forest Engineering and after learning to love the local water systems of Oregon, he received a master’s degree in Sustainable Forest Management with a focus on forest watershed hydrology. Jonah has previously worked to research the effects of timber harvests and riparian management on streamflow in headwater streams. He has also spent time working in forest road engineering, forest surveying, and recreation management.
Jonah joined the LWC as Monitoring Coordinator in April 2023. Jonah is originally from the Mid-Willamette Valley and grew up in the forests of the Oregon Coast Range and Cascades. He loves exploring the local environment through hiking, backpacking, running, and canoeing. Jonah followed his love of the outdoors and studied at Oregon State University where he received a bachelor's degree in Forest Engineering and after learning to love the local water systems of Oregon, he received a master’s degree in Sustainable Forest Management with a focus on forest watershed hydrology. Jonah has previously worked to research the effects of timber harvests and riparian management on streamflow in headwater streams. He has also spent time working in forest road engineering, forest surveying, and recreation management.
Mid-Willamette Beaver Partnership (MWBP) Project Manager
Jean-Paul Zagarola
Jean-Paul is an ecologist with Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) and has been managing projects for the Council since 2013. He earned a BS at Portland State University where he first became interested in community-based watershed management and restoration. He later earned his MS as a Fulbright Scholar studying adaptive ecosystem management strategies in southern Patagonia. Beyond his research experience, Jean-Paul has built a broad social-ecological skill set through his project management experience in the Luckiamute, Middle Fork Willamette and Siuslaw Watersheds and his more recent experience managing Willamette-wide restoration efforts for BEF. Jean-Paul stepped back from his management role of many LWC projects in 2022, but still manages the habitat assessment work of the Mid-Willamette Beaver Partnership (MWBP). He also regularly enjoys the bounty the Willamette basin has to offer whether it be through hiking, biking, paddling or foraging ingredients for his next home brewed batch of beer or mead. Cheers!
Jean-Paul is an ecologist with Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) and has been managing projects for the Council since 2013. He earned a BS at Portland State University where he first became interested in community-based watershed management and restoration. He later earned his MS as a Fulbright Scholar studying adaptive ecosystem management strategies in southern Patagonia. Beyond his research experience, Jean-Paul has built a broad social-ecological skill set through his project management experience in the Luckiamute, Middle Fork Willamette and Siuslaw Watersheds and his more recent experience managing Willamette-wide restoration efforts for BEF. Jean-Paul stepped back from his management role of many LWC projects in 2022, but still manages the habitat assessment work of the Mid-Willamette Beaver Partnership (MWBP). He also regularly enjoys the bounty the Willamette basin has to offer whether it be through hiking, biking, paddling or foraging ingredients for his next home brewed batch of beer or mead. Cheers!
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