Our Staff
Susanna Hamilton
susanna@wewetlands.org
Staff & Volunteer Coordinator, Environmental Educator
M.A., B.A. California State University, San Bernardino
Susanna is responsible for staff and volunteer coordination, publicity, curricula development and program implementation. In addition, she will also lead education programs and events, both in the classroom and on-site field trips.
Receiving her M.A. in Education, with an Environmental option in 2006, Susanna’s fieldwork and research focused on the development of a non-profit environmental education center and programs for the San Jacinto Wildlife Area, a wetlands in the San Jacinto River floodplain in Riverside County, California. While completing her M.A., she also obtained her Teaching Credential and spent the last five years teaching 4th and 5th grades in rural, eastern North Carolina.
When not working on behalf of people and the environment Susanna enjoys hiking, biking, camping, white-water rafting, yoga, gardening, reading a good book, and hanging out with friends.
Lindsay Raber
lindsay@wewetlands.org
Environmental Educator
B.S. Parks & Recreation Management, Outdoor Education Emphasis
Lindsay is responsible for planning, leading and developing environmental education programs for WREN. These programs include: classroom programs, field trips, nature walks, community outreach programs and curricula development.
Born and raised in Arizona, Lindsay discovered her love of the outdoors early. After graduating from Northern Arizona University, Lindsay moved to Boulder, Colorado to work with Thorne Ecological Institute as an environmental educator, and then moved to Big Bear, California to work as an instructor for High Trails Outdoor Science School. Her continued interest in environmental education led her to Oregon in 2010 where she worked for Oregon State Parks in the Columbia River Gorge, then to Springfield to work for Willamalane Park and Recreation District. Prior to starting with WREN, Lindsay worked on the Oregon coast for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as the Wildlife Education Coordinator.
When she’s not leading children on their own outdoor adventures and discoveries, Lindsay enjoys outdoor adventures and explorations of her own. She also enjoys traveling, cooking, listening to music and sharing good times with friends and family.
A huge Thank-you to Carrie, Jules and Paula for all their hard work and dedication to WREN!
Carrie Karl
former Environmental Educator & Volunteer Coordinator
B.S., B.A., University of Minnesota Duluth
Carrie is responsible for scheduling and implementing school programming and community outreach as well as volunteer coordination. As lead educator, Carrie interprets our wetland habitats in local schools and in the field.
Carrie moved to Eugene from Flagstaff, Arizona in September, 2008. While living in Arizona Carrie worked for the Museum of Northern Arizona as the Visitor Services Manager. Prior to working at the museum Carrie served as an interpretive park ranger for the National Park Service in Grand Teton and Acadia National Parks and Big Cypress National Preserve. Carrie obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental and Technical Geography from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
During her free time, Carrie enjoys paddling, sketching, photography, listening to music, tidepooling, knitting, spinning fibers and exploring the outdoors.
Jules Abbott
former Staff and Volunteer Coordinator
B.S., Michigan State University
Jules was responsible for volunteer coordination, internship supervision, curricula development, as well as resource development and public relations. In addition, she participated as a lead educator for the West Eugene Wetlands education program both in the classroom and on-site field trips.
Prior to joining our staff Jules volunteered for WREN leading educational programs and assisting administratively. She also worked with Oregon Research Institute for over 8 years on projects studying how communities can help to promote healthy and successful children. Jules holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, and has completed coursework with the LCC Cooperative Education Program and Naropa University. When not working, she can be found reading, hiking, spending time with her cherished friends and loved ones, and playing with her Greenhill Humane Society graduate, Emma.
Paula Graff
former Citizen Science Coordinator
M.S., B.S., Oregon State University
Paula was responsible for the coordination of research projects, research based education, Citizen Science lab development and management of our Citizen Science Advisory Council.
Paula received her Master's of Science degree from Oregon State University in Wildlife Science. Prior to working with WREN she has worked as a wildlife biologist on a variety of projects, but has focused primarily on amphibians and birds of Western Oregon. She has also worked as a field crew supervisor with Turnstone Environmental Consultants since 2008.
When not out in the field, Paula enjoys spending time with her dogs and family, quilting, reading, cooking, and gardening.
Former Seasonal Staff Members
They were able to work with WREN from July to September 2010 through a Youth Initiative grant awarded by the BLM. They have made a lasting impact on our long term capacity through their contributions to our education programs and communications.
Alicia Lajeunesse
Seasonal Outreach and Development
Alicia came to us as a volunteer administrative assistant in late spring and was able to stay on as a summer intern. She is responsible for participating in community outreach events, resource development and keeping up with the day to day needs of the office. She is currently taking courses to work towards her bachelors degree in Environmental Studies and non profit administration from the University of Oregon. She enjoys participating in environmental advocacy, community, reading, cooking, home brewing and grooving to music.
Nancy Beth Wilson
Seasonal Environmental Education
B.A., University of Oregon
Nancy Beth was hired as a seasonal summer employee to assist with the BLM Family Exploration Days, environmental education programs. She recently graduated from the University of Oregon where she earned a B.A. in Environmental Studies with minors in geography and public policy, planning and management. She began with WREN during the Spring of 2009 as a member of the UO Environmental Leadership Program’s Wetlands team. Her team was responsible for creating ethnobotany curriculum to instill cultural awareness of the Kalapuya. Her enthusiasm for environmental education in the wetlands brought her back as a volunteer this past Spring.
When she is not preparing for field trips or doing office work with WREN, Nancy Beth enjoys local dining in Eugene, back country skiing, bike rides, live music, and gems and minerals.
Holly McRae,
former Environmental Education Coordinator
Holly McRae was responsible for building our environmental education program from the ground up during her eight years of dedicated work at WREN.
Prior to her work at the West Eugene Wetlands, Holly served as a naturalist and an environmental educator in Yellowstone National Park. She has also served as an environmental educator in Everglades National Park, and Hardware Ranch Elk Refuge. Holly holds a bachelor of science degree from Colorado State University, in natural resource management. Holly is now enjoying more time being a mom, hiking with her family and dog, playing the accordion, and eating sushi.
BLM Staff
Patricia K. Johnston
pat_johnston@blm.gov
Former West Eugene Wetlands Project Manager
Patricia K. Johnston was the West Eugene Wetlands Project Manager on behalf of the Bureau of Land Management. Since 1999 she had worked as Project Manager, with her central focus on developing an education program and center. She has brought together community leaders and members to support a community vision around ecology studies and environmental education. Her responsibilities have also included oversight of the wetland restoration project and coordination with other WEW partners on overall restoration activities to manage the landscape without regard to political or ownership boundaries.
