Notes from the Field: CENV Alumni

Avery Garritano graduated from Western Washington University in Spring of 2021 with a BA in Environmental Policy and a Minor in Political Science. Now, as the Stewardship Program Coordinator for the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA), Avery plans and facilitates salmon and stewardship focused volunteer events across Whatcom County.

Kenna Kuhn is the Vital Signs Lead at the Puget Sound Partnership; a WA state agency that coordinates recovery of the Puget Sound ecosystem. She manages a program of scientific environmental and human quality of life indicators that track changes in ecosystem and population health in the region. This information informs state policy, governor priorities, and is reported to the EPA. She completed her Master’s in Environmental Science at WWU in 2024.

Julián Medina-Schroeder was born in Morelos, Mexico, to parents of both Mexican and American descent. He graduated from Western Washington University with a B.A. in Urban Planning and a minor in Sustainable Design. He currently works at Vamos Outdoors Project, where he supports community-centered initiatives with Latine families. Julián believes that a better world begins with building stronger, more united communities and has found a sense of belonging in doing this work alongside the local Latine community in Whatcom County.

Martine Pfefferwright graduated from Western in the summer of 2023 with a degree in environmental science (toxicology emphasis). After graduation, Martine worked at a chemistry lab, then began working at a consulting firm with a focus on environmental remediation. There, Martine does a variety of things, mainly fieldwork, including soil sampling, groundwater sampling, and industrial stormwater sampling and compliance.