Meet The Team

Katie Lynch, PhD is co-director of the Environmental Leadership Program at the University of Oregon. In 2006 she launched the Environmental Education Initiative, which partners undergraduate teams with local nonprofits and school districts to develop and implement place-based, experiential environmental education for K-8 children. Her projects and publications have explored how to use EE to restore connections between students and the more-than-human world, how to translate environmental science to motivate civic engagement, and how to integrate the humanities to foster environmental stewardship. An environmental anthropologist by training, her environmental education work often focuses on the interconnections between environmental and social justice.  She has received numerous awards for her engaged and inclusive teaching, including the national Green Educator Award, the UO Sustainability Office Excellence in Teaching Award, and she was just recently named the 2022 Williams Fellow. She has worked in Peru, Ecuador, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States examining issues of community-based natural resource management and the potential for environmental education to promote conservation.

Meredith was the Project Manager for the team and is a PhD student in Environmental Studies and Sociology at the University of Oregon. She has a B.S. in Forestry from UC Berkeley and an M.S. from Oregon State University in Forest Ecosystems and Society. Before coming to graduate school, she worked for several years as a forestry technician and environmental educator. She is passionate about people’s relationships to land, forests, and fire. As a non-Indigenous scholar, her current research focuses on the dynamics of forest and fire management partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. She loves backpacking, birding, and bike-riding around her current home of Eugene, Oregon.

Armon is a third-year student majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Planning, Public Policy and Management. Being raised in a coastal city in Southern California, Armon spent much of his time at the beach with friends, and developed a care and appreciation for his local environment. His involvement in coastal protection groups in high school translated to his desire to be involved in the Environmental Leadership Program. Armon had never worked with young students prior to joining the Restoring Connections Team, but was interested in acquiring experience in being a mentor and leader in the environmental field. This experience has provided him with valuable experiences in working in large teams, being adaptable, and most importantly, learning what it takes to be a successful environmental educator.

Anne is an environmental science major with a triple minor in sustainable business, biology, and food studies. She loves hiking outside with her dog, and hopes to kick start her career in corporate sustainability post-graduation. Anne joined the environmental leadership program because she loves working with kids, and she wanted to share her love of environmental science with our community’s youth.

Emily is an environmental studies major minoring in public health from Marin County, CA. She enjoys spending time outside and hiking both the California and Oregon mountains. She has spent a lot of time working with children as a para educator at her local elementary school and worked as a camp counselor up in the Sierras. She joined this project because teaching environmental education combines her love for the outdoors with her teaching experience.

Hadlie is a third year Environmental Studies student, minoring in Public Planning, Policy, and Management. Hadlie grew up in Oregon and frequently spent time outdoors camping, hiking, and enjoying nature. Attending Waldorf schools throughout childhood, Hadlie learned to have a sense of connection and empathy to nature that has carried throughout her life. She decided to join the Environmental Leadership Program because her mom was a part of the program years ago. While being on the Restoring Connections team, Hadlie got to collaborate with like minded individuals and deepened her passion for working with students. Hadlie is continuing her work as an environmental educator, working at a summer camp and creating a 10 week long curriculum to teach students about the outdoors.

Kaylie is an English major, minoring in Leadership & Administrative Skills and pursuing a Educational Foundations: Secondary certificate. Preparing to enter graduate school to obtain her Master of Education, Kaylie searched for ways to work with youth in her community. The Environmental Leadership Program: Restoring Connections stood out due to its strong mission of reconnecting youth with their local environment. In addition, Kaylie works as a guest teacher for the Eugene School District 4J and a writing tutor at the University of Oregon, where she aids students in learning subject-specific content, skills, and strategies. During her time on Restoring Connections, Kaylie developed a strong feeling of confidence as an environmental educator and is thankful for the opportunity to work with colleagues that share passions for the environment and working with youth.

Lucy is a planning, public policy and management major with an environmental studies minor from Salem, OR. She grew up riding bikes with her parents, hiking with her dog and swimming in beautiful lakes in Central Oregon. She has experience working with elementary and middle school students as a volunteer tutor and summer camp counselor. Lucy joined this project to find a more straightforward career path and explore more about what environmental education looks like. She also knows about working outdoors through leading water, hiking, and biking trips for students at the University of Oregon Outdoor Program.

Maya is a Environmental Studies major, minoring in food studies from San Francisco California. Spending time outdoors has always been a passion of hers and she spends her free time camping, backpacking and hiking as a way to stay connected and expand her knowledge of the natural environment. She joined the Environmental Leadership Program because she wanted to bring her passion for taking environmental action and teach this to students who could become future scientists and nature lovers. Maya will continue her environmental work after graduation in New Zealand working on cultivating and growing grapes sustainably.

Michelle is a member of the School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon. Growing up on the beaches of California, Michelle formed a close bond with nature and in turn developed a passion to protect the environment. Michelle’s passion for education urged her to join the Environmental Leadership Program at the UO. Through this program, she explored her interest in educating the youth and learned important project management skills as well as how to work well with a team. Michelle participates in beach cleanups during the summer months and continues to enjoy sharing the benefits of nature with friends, family, and even strangers in her life.

Riley is an Environmental Studies major from Needham, Massachusetts. Riley grew up with a passion for environmental justice growing up in an area without much nature or open land. She is passionate and excited about outdoor learning and exploring nature as a whole, and often spends her time competing in triathlons. Riley is excited to become a park ranger after college. Riley joined the Environmental Leadership Program to extend her knowledge on outdoor learning and spread her joy to the outdoors to elementary school students.