ELP Advisory Council Created

Earlier this year, Dr. Morgan Green, a pediatrician and 2018 Emerging Leaders Program alumnus was appointed to direct the program.

Now, Dr. Morgan Green has created an Advisory Council that allows him to tap into the wealth of experience that exists in the ELP network and to assist him in the development of the program.

“I have been brought on board as the Director of The Emerging Leaders Program during a time of tremendous growth,” said Dr. Green. “And growth isn’t easy.”

“Aware that more perspectives were needed to help refine our program’s foundations, we’ve created an advisory council comprised of ELP alumni that represents layered diversities of thought and lived experiences,” he said.

“I’m immensely honored to have the time and contributions of ELP alumni in this capacity as we redefine our curriculum, shape a strong collaborative experience and continue to explore the most pressing issues surrounding the state of our planet.”

Please join us in welcoming the ELP Advisory Council members to our team.

Taimur (ELP 2016): Taimur was born and raised in New York City.  He is an environmental advocate and climber, currently working for the Access Fund on recreation policy as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion within the climbing community.  He lives in Bishop, CA, on the east side of the Sierra Nevada.

Eva (ELP 2018): Eva is a native and lifelong resident of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, an area rich in natural, cultural and historical resources. After receiving her Bachelor’s in Environmental Science from the University of Texas at Brownsville and interning with the City of Brownsville, she began to understand that her community was facing significant health disparities that were compounded by poverty (34% below poverty), language barriers (94%) and​ a lack of access to healthcare (60% of adult population uninsured). To improve the wellness and quality of life of her community​, Eva became passionate about equitable access to safe and affordable transportation and recreational options that promote physical and mental health.

Eva was hired as a Planner with the City at the end of 2013 to implement a city-wide bicycle and pedestrian network and improve parks and public spaces. At the beginning of 2019 Eva joined the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy as the Project Manager for the Lower Rio Grande Valley Active Plan. The Active Plan is a regional plan that aims to generate new economic opportunity by diversifying the local tourism market and linking communities through an active transportation network that will promote healthy lifestyles. Eva hopes her work will improve the quality of life and build community pride in the Rio Grande Valley.

Ciarra  (ELP 2016): Ciarra “C.”  is a citizen of the Nez Perce Tribe. Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) culture and traditions emphasize environmental stewardship and drives C.’s academic, professional, and personal endeavors. She has her BS in Chemistry from Northern Arizona University (2012), where she researched environmental transport and stabilization of uranium on the Navajo Reservation, and completed internships with the Nez Perce Tribe, Dept. of Energy (Hanford), EPA, and Institute of Tribal Environmental Professionals.

Previously she was employed at the Arizona Science Center as STEM instructor, the Nez Perce Tribe Water Resources Division (Wetland Program Field Assistant and Water Resources Specialist), and Wisdom of the Elders (Educator and Workforce Development Coordinator). Currently C. is pursuing her MS degree in Science Teaching at Portland State University, serves on the Nez Perce Tribe General Council Resolutions Committee, Wisdom of the Elders Board of Directors, is a contractor for curriculum and program development focusing on culture in the STEM fields, and recently accepted a position at Northwest Indian College as Native Environmental Science Faculty at the Nez Perce Campus (2019).

Jess  (ELP 2017): Jess Johnson is legislative liaison and advocacy coordinator at the Wyoming Wildlife Federation, and a co-founder of Artemis, a platform for women’s leadership in hunting, fishing and conservation. She sits on the boards of 2% for Conservation and the Wyoming Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers as well as participating as a team member for FirstLite. Her work centers on changing the narrative around stereotypes of hunters and advancing women’s voices within the hunting and conservation world.

Jess grew up an only child of a ranching family in Montana, Northern California and Wyoming and walked the line between ranch kid and ballerina. Her eclectic childhood instilled in her a wanderlust for wide expanses of public land, a deep appreciation and love for the wildlife that inhabit it, and a preference for the grace and strength required in archery. Since moving back to Wyoming nine years ago she has spent most of her free time as an archery only hunter and exploring the mountains and rolling sage brush slopes of Wyoming. Jess knows that hunting in this era is a privilege and believes fully in the notion that there is no privilege without obligation. She believes that the obligation is to speak for those without voices, to conserve our hunting heritage, and to help bring a new and badly needed facelift to the voice of hunters. In her spare time she can be found stalking after mule deer, elk, pronghorn and bear, bow in hand and a smile on her face.

Dylan  (ELP 2018): Dylan McDowell works at the intersection of science and policy. Originally trained as a science communicator, he is now Deputy Director of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators where he supports state lawmakers across the country on a range of conservation and environmental policies. Dylan lives in Salem, Oregon, where he serves on the city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and can often be found hiking, running, or doing anything that involves water.

 

 

 

Tanner  (2017): Tanner was raised by scientists, and grew up paddling, pedaling, and planting trees. Whether on the trail or in the lab, he learned how to hustle in settings that lacked diverse representation. After earning a degree in environmental science and restoration, he worked on a fishing vessel in the Bering Sea. His Peace Corps service involved resource management, education and eco-tourism. During graduate school, Tanner helped form Greater Cincinnati’s Tri-State Trails Coalition. He is a National Park Service Mountains to Main Street Ambassador; SHIFT Emerging Leader; and recipient of the 2018 Murie Center Rising Leader Award. As part of Groundwork USA he builds programs that connect communities to nature through recreation, science, and jobs. Yess’ passion is creating new pathways for urban youth to access green careers.

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