2025 Cohort

Food and Nutrition Intern - Okanogan County Community Action Council

Urban Planning and Sustainable Development, WWU

This summer, I’m working with the Okanogan County Community Action Council in their Food and Nutrition Department. My work consists of creating succession plans for each food pantry in the county, creating a “Gleaning Program Overview” handbook, collaborating on a “Volunteer Orientation Packet,” creating helpful signage throughout the pantries, working in the food bank warehouse doing distribution and packaging, and other tasks throughout the food bank. I also work in the Okanogan food pantry on Tuesday’s, helping to check people in and distribute food to those using the pantry.  

What draws me to sustainability work is how interconnected, broad, and encompassing the discipline is. Sustainability impacts all aspects of our lives, whether we see it or not, and emphasizes the need for all communities to work together.   

Creative Economy Coordinator- Methow Arts Alliance and Economic Alliance

Environmental Health and Artful Advocacy with a minor in Human Rights, Fairhaven College, WWU 

My role this summer was to create a list of all known creatives (chefs, painters, architects, software developers, designers, museum curators, musicians, etc) in Okanogan County and collect their experiences through a survey and several interviews. Quantifying the presence and struggles of artists is the first step to organizing support systems for rural artists and creators, a goal that Methow Arts Alliance and the Economic Alliance strive for in the next few years.  

Human-nature relations are full of tension at the idea of sacrificing one for the other, and sustainability is an ongoing attempt to prove that our ingenuity can create mutual thriving with nature. Its application to many disciplines (science, humanities, arts, business, etc) allows space for anyone to build bridges between development and environmental healing.   

Farmhand- Doubletree Dairy

Business and Sustainability and English (Creative Writing emphasis) with a minor in Honors, WWU 

I work as a farmhand at Doubletree micro-dairy. I milk cows, process the milk, and bottle it to be sold at stores across the Methow Valley. I have been involved in commercial food production since I was 16, when I began an apprenticeship at an artisan bakery in my hometown. I am passionate about increasing access to affordable, quality food while mitigating the impact of farming on the environment.   

Zero Waste Fellow- Methow Recycles

Climate justice through re-use, art, ecology, and sustainable design, Fairhaven College, WWU 

Working with Methow Recycles I have had the opportunity to participate in daily operations, such as bailing recyclables, and driving around the forklift and skid steer. I also had the privilege of working with camp Re-make, where I taught kids the fundamentals of re-use and repair.  

I am drawn to sustainability work because it feels so important. Climate change is the most pressing issue facing humankind and it feels like the responsibility to reverse it lies on the shoulders of my generation. 

Planning Intern- Town of Winthrop Planning Department

Urban Planning and Sustainable Development, Fairhaven College, WWU 

I work with Town Planner Rocklynn Culp on the various planning related tasks for the town of Winthrop. This includes working to edit and update comprehensive plan updates from the 2015 plan, worked on the creation of a new wayfinding plan, and worked in various mapping needs.  

I’m drawn to sustainability work because it means creating communities that are livable and resilient. I value designing places that balance growth with environmental responsibility. 

Youth Sustainability Corps Lead- Methow Valley School District

Environmental Science, WWU 

This summer, I’m leading a group of high schoolers doing trail work, habitat monitoring, and wildlife research. It’s so rewarding to support healthy ecosystems around the Valley while mentoring students as they learn technical and leadership skills.  

I’m drawn to sustainability work because it sits at the crossroads of my passions for science, advocacy, and education—which is why my practicum with the Corps is so fulfilling.   

Planning Intern- Town of Twisp Planning Department

Urban Sustainability with a minor in Sustainable Design, WWU 

This summer I am focusing on a big planned development code update. I am helping the Town Planner and Planning Commission switch from prescriptive code to form based code in order to create a more cohesive town landscape.  

Even though I’m not a very outdoorsy person, I still understand the value of taking care of the environment. There’s only one earth and we have to take care of it. 

Methow Conservancy Summer Fellow- Methow Conservancy

Environmental Studies (Geography emphasis), WWU 

My position with the Methow Conservancy has entailed monitoring conservation easements, land stewardship and wildlife footage collection, writing outreach materials, and helping with the organization’s community events. I have gotten to learn a lot about the stewardship roles a land trust undertakes, as well as gain ecological knowledge.  

I am drawn to sustainability work because of the foundation it builds for a long-term healthy environment. I enjoy knowing that even if my part is small, sustainability work is about what the collective effort of caring for the earth can do for us and for the future.   

Science Communications and Outreach Fellow- Home Range Wildlife Research

Environmental Science (freshwater and terrestrial ecology emphasis), WWU 

This summer I have been working on the human-bear coexistence program doing camera checks, data entry, and talking to community members. I have also been working on creating accessible materials for Home Range to use on their website and during outreach events.  

I am drawn to sustainability work because I believe in a future where we respect the planet. The Earth provides so much for us and I want to be a part of giving back.  

Economic Development and Business Support Fellow- Twispworks

Economics and Environmental Studies with a minor in Salish Sea Studies, WWU

The Practicum position has included communications work such as creating the monthly business eNews, connecting small business owners with eligible grants, and attending meetings. I have also been working on a project to compile Methow Investment Network success stories by developing and distributing a survey and conducting interviews with MIN-funded businesses.

Sustainability encompasses various lenses, making it inherently interdisciplinary. To me, working in this field allows me to connect my passion for social change with sustainable economic growth that doesn't harm vulnerable ecosystems or marginalized communities, and instead expresses sustainability in economic terms. 

Farm and Nursery Intern- Beaver Food Forest

Environmental Science, WWU 

I worked to maintain the health of native riparian plants for future use in restoration projects involving beaver habitat. I learned about the importance of plants like willow, aspen, cotton wood, hawthorn, choke cherry, and more.  

I have always been drawn to work that protects the planet and the environment, particularly animals. I have a special place in my heart for animals; they don’t have any control over what humans are doing to the environment and are at the whim of our decisions. I want to do my part in protecting them which is why I am drawn to sustainability work, particularly wildlife biology and ecological restoration. 

Botanist Technician- United States Forest Service

Environmental Studies (Anthropology emphasis) with minors in Spanish, Geology, and Honors, WWU 

I work with the Botanist at the Forest Service to survey a variety of plant species to preserve and protect the National Forest. The field work ranged from the collection of native plant seeds, surveying endangered plants, and helping out with wildlife surveys. 

Sustainability work allows me to support nature and wildlife, to which I have had a  deep connection with my entire life. This type of work also helps communities and  brings different systems together, which I think is very important. 

Makerspace Intern- Friends of the Winthrop Library

Environmental Science, WWU 

As the Makerspace Intern, I am working to make the Winthrop Library makerspace more welcoming, accessible, and community-driven. My work includes developing signage, user guides, drop-in kits, and a webpage, as well as pathways to support more community-led workshops.

I’m drawn to sustainability because it allows me to bridge environmental science with local hand-on community solutions. I believe sustainability is strongest when people are empowered with the tools, knowledge, and creativity to engage directly with environmental challenges facing their communities. 

Reporter- Methow Valley News

Sociology and Anthropology, WWU 

At Methow Valley News, I explored a  plethora of topics including rural hospital funding, Medicaid cuts in Okanogan County, the Roadless rule, and feature several businesses in my articles including local health co-ops, a new yoga studio, and a local watercolorist. My summer at  MVN has given me the opportunity to meet new faces from all reaches of the Methow and sharpen my journalistic writing skills.

I am drawn to sustainability work because I am passionate about the environment, and I want to initiate positive change in the growing climate crisis. Through journalism, I can spread awareness about real world issues and events, and work towards solutions that have a lasting impact. 

Wildlife Technician- Home Range Wildlife Research

Environmental Science, WWU

I am working with Home Range on their lynx project doing veg plots. We survey the vegetation along lynx tracks in the Tripod burn to see what types of habitat lynx utilize.  

I am drawn to sustainability work because it is a way I can preserve the environments I love spending time in. I believe it is a responsibility of mine to take care of the communities and land I depend on.

Habitat Program Fellow- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Urban Planning and Sustainable Development, WWU 

Working with the habitat team this summer, I’ve been reviewing policy and code to assist with writing recommendations about increasing protections for critical areas to local municipalities. Additionally, I’ve been gathering literature about best management practices for protected species in the North Central Washington region and how different county critical area ordinances currently protect and mitigate impact to critical habitat.  

Building healthy communities that thrive socially and environmentally relies on implementing sustainable systems of resilience, equity, and justice. Getting be work in a field that strives to implement these systems and learn every day is incredibly fulfilling.