Meet the Corps

Ciera LeCiel (She/They) graduated from Mount Holyoke College, with a dual degree in Sociology and Architecture. During her time at MHC she became interested in the intersection of art and climate justice, along with developing a passionate commitment to advancing equity within communities. During her time on campus, she took on the role of Volunteer Coordinator for Circle K, dedicating her time to engaging in volunteer work within the local community, fostering connections, and driving positive change.

Denali (she/her) grew up in Northeast Ohio and got a degree in engineering and environmental science from Miami University (in Ohio, not Florida surprisingly). During school, her particular interests honed in on regenerative agriculture and reshaping agricultural and food systems to be more equitable, just and resilient. Upon graduation, she spent a few months working in and exploring central Alaska. Afterwards, Denali moved to Kaua`i to work for a permaculture farm and community composting organization.

Denali has always had a deep affinity for the PNW and moved here to work as a Farm Specialist for EarthCorps and community partner, Wakulima Farms. She was drawn to this position primarily for the intersection of community-building, environmental justice, and farming work. Denali’s favorite way to connect to the Earth is by digging her hands into the soil and watching life grow through the beautiful reciprocity between a farmer and the land!

In her free time, Denali loves to be outside, whether that be through camping, backpacking or hiking. She also loves exploring new cafes, hosting dinner parties, making ceramics, and cooking big curries and soups for loved ones.

Guy grew up in La Grange, Texas. A cozy town of less than 5,000 people nestled between Austin, Houston, and San Antonio in the heart of South Central Texas. After graduating from Texas State University with a B.S. in Public Relations in 2022, he returned to La Grange. There, he served as the Communications Manager for the Fayette Community Foundation and a Media Consultant for the Stanzel Family Foundation. While he will always have love for Texas, in March 2024, Guy packed up his car and moved to Tacoma, Washington to start fresh and explore new horizons.

Guy has always been passionate about the outdoors and protecting the environment. During his time in Scouting, he had the opportunity to backpack through the Rockies of New Mexico and canoe the Boundary Waters in Minnesota. When he arrived in Washington and found EarthCorps, it was the perfect opportunity to connect his passion with his work. Guy is excited to serve as a Volunteer & Outreach Specialist with EarthCorps, hoping to help others discover their love for the outdoors while working to restore the land.

Kristina (she/her) is originally from the deserts of Southern California but has found a new home in the Pacific Northwest. She is serving as a Habitat Specialist and has recently completed a GIS Certification from the University of Washington as well as a B.A. in Environmental Ethics and Policy from the University of Portland, Oregon. Her passion for environmental stewardship, justice, and advocacy grew from watching Planet Earth and other environmental documentaries as a kid and now finds revitalization for her passion by spending time outdoors and connecting with local flora and fauna. It is important to her that nature be protected and restored in the face of climate change for the continuation of nature itself! She is is so excited to be in this leadership role in the ecological restoration field in order to make a tangible difference to the landscape of the greater Seattle region and to develop her skill set as a project manager. Kristina hopes to return to school to pursue a MS in Geography or Ecology next fall. Peak fun for her is crafting, rock climbing, hiking, and listening to podcasts.

Originally from the prairies of the Midwest, Elizabeth has been a lifelong lover of native plants, animals and ecosystems. She graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Journalism and Environmental Policy & Culture and then spent a year and a half working in the advertising industry in downtown Chicago. Longing for the mountains and wanting to experience a different part of the country, she made the move to Seattle to pursue a career in environmental conservation and is now a volunteer specialist at EarthCorps which combines her love of community engagement and field work. She has a special place in her heart for land restoration as her parents converted multiple properties from farmland to tall grass prairie in both Wisconsin and Illinois and is excited to continue this passion with new plants and landscapes in the Pacific Northwest.

PJ is very stoked to be continuing their second year at EarthCorps as a Volunteer Specialist! PJ is originally from Austin, Texas, but is so happy to be living in Seattle for another year to watch all four seasons change. In their free time, PJ really likes to watch movies and make large portions of pasta for their friends.

Beatrice (they/she) grew up in the savannas and prairies of central Colorado where they were steeped in a passionate community of environmentalists, ranchers and naturalists. After seven beautiful seasons surveying plants and building trails, they feel excited to continue spinning stories and sharing knowledge about these landscapes as a Crew Lead with EarthCorps. They care deeply about communities, food and land. Out of the field, no tools in hand, Beatrice sits in the sun, screams at roller derby and sews in their room.

Jacob Sloan (he/him) grew up in the hills of Tehachapi, CA. He was lucky to have frequent exposure to the critters and plants of the area, and developed a love for all things nature while cycling and running through the oak woodlands. That interest led him to pursue a degree in wildlife conservation. After earning his bachelor’s from UC Davis and gaining valuable experience in the nonprofit world, he decided it was time to have some laughs and spend lots of time with family and friends before diving further into his career. After a year of giggling and exploring the natural spaces of California he is joining the 2024 crew lead team at EarthCorps to further his experience in land stewardship.

Kellie Prince (she/her) grew up in Iowa and pursued an Environmental Science degree at Central College while playing collegiate softball. Kellie joined EarthCorps in 2023 as a crew member and is a crew lead in 2024. She always loved the environment and nature so she knew she wanted to have a career involved with the outdoors. Not ready to commit to a full time job after graduating, she worked a seasonal conservation job in Iowa for 8 months then moved to Seattle for EarthCorps. As a crew member, she learned all about restoration work in the PNW and is now excited to lead a group of individuals who are passionate about advancing their knowledge in restoration. On her days off, she enjoys reading, thrifting, and exploring the PNW.

Levi (he/him) is originally from Long Island, New York, and has a background in trailbuilding and hands-on conservation work. He graduated from Vassar College in 2021, with a degree in Astronomy, although he spent most of his free time leading trips with the Vassar Outing Club and exploring the Hudson Valley. After graduation, he hopped around the East Coast, working with local environmental orgs/nonprofits, and arts affiliate positions, and this is his first exposure to the beautiful climate and nature of the Pacific Northwest. A first time crew member with Earthcorps, find him on his off days at local festivals, playing mahjong, taking art classes, or out exploring the Puget Sound.

mikey pazen (they/them) was born in Denver, Colorado, but has since come to call Seattle home. They first began their environmental career in Washington before leading a trail crew and a chainsaw crew in Colorado, an experience that taught them much about leadership and collaboration. They have a passion for restoration and are thrilled to be spending the year working in the beautiful PNW! When not in the field, you can find mikey hiking, biking, rock climbing, exploring the city, or basking in the sun.

Olivia (she/her) is a crew member at EarthCorps. She decided to get into nonprofit because of a profound sickness with the corporatization of every aspect of society and human life. Don’t learn about money. Don’t learn about economics. The genre of cosmic horror usually focuses on how the biological or astronomical sciences will expose you to the terrible true face of god and you’ll go mad, clawing out your eyes as things that Cannot Exist destroy your life and kill you, but that’s inaccurate. Biology and Astronomy follow rules.

Tris Risse is a seattleite who loves ecology, urbanism, and the PNW. Growing up in Tumwater, the beautiful scenery around Olympia and watching salmon run up to the coast made them fall in love with nature. Years camping with the scouts, mountain biking, and mushroom foraging have cemented Tris’ place in the woods. They hope to lead a crew of restorationists in building an ecosystem and community for everyone. Their hobbies include cycling, skateboarding, and playing role playing/ board games; Tris hopes to make every day worth fighting for and always learn something new!

Aidan moved from Jacksonville, Florida to Seattle Washington to learn more about different types of nature and pursue his dream of working outdoors. After graduating from Mandarin High School, he spent his time working as a cashier at Publix where he decided he did not want a job that didn’t involve helping the environment in some way. His uncle is a park ranger and ever since a young age Aidan has admired his uncle’s work. Aidan spent most of his time in Florida exploring the humid nature the state has to offer and wanted to move somewhere less hot and humid to learn about restoration work. His main hobbies other than exploring the outdoors are energy training and meditation and going to the gym in the mornings.

Amy Breuer (she/her) is from Indiana and spent a lot of time outdoors growing up. That’s what inspired her to study Sustainability at Messiah University. While she was there, she worked as the Garden Coordinator in the office of Sustainability. She loved working outside and meeting other people who shared her passion for the environment. While at college her passion for restoration blossomed and led her to pursue a career in that field. When she’s not working, Amy loves hiking, gardening, and spending time with her friends.

AnneMarie Rogers was looking for a change of career directions and an opportunity to pursue her passions when she found EarthCorp, and knew it was exactly what she was looking for (even if that meant moving all the way from Chicago!). With a background in barista work, animal welfare, and illustration, she’s a bit new to the field, but she’s excited to learn and help in every way she can. AnneMarie loves peaceful hikes, coffee, art, games, and learning new things about plants and animals of all sorts.

Aslan Renner (they/them) grew up in Portland, Oregon. They were lucky enough to grow up doing a lot of hiking and camping with their family and quickly developed a love for the outdoors. They moved to Tacoma, WA to attend college at the University of Puget Sound where they studied Environmental Policy and Decision Making and Politics and Government. After graduating they decided to stay in Tacoma and pursue a career in environmental work. While Aslan mostly studied the historical, political and societal aspects of environmental issues in college, they are also passionate about environmental/ecological restoration and doing hands-on work, which is what led them to join EarthCorps. We are one with nature. Nature takes care of us therefore we should take care of her. 

Typical of a Pacific Northwest resident, outside of work, Aslan enjoys hiking and camping. They also enjoy cooking, crafting cocktails, and spending time with their two cats. 

Autumn (she/her) grew up in central Illinois and moved to Washignton after graduating with her bachelor’s degree in conservation biology. Serving as a Corps Member for EarthCorps, she is excited to meet a different part of Mother Earth, as well as make a community of fellow nature lovers. Autumn hopes to become a better steward of the environment during her time at EarthCorps, learning about restoration techniques, local species identification, and the remediation of environmental injustices. After all, the Earth is for everyone! If you bump into Autumn, be sure to ask her about her favorite birds, as she is an avid birdwatcher. She also spends ample time on leisurely walks, writing poetry, and amateur cooking.

Bailey (she/her) moved to Seattle from Syracuse, New York, where she worked in conservation and restoration ecology. She studied environmental science at Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts, where her main focus was intertidal ecology.

Caroline Divney (she/her) grew up in Northern California and has lived in Seattle since 2019. She’s a recent University of Washington graduate, where she studied biology with a focus in botany. Growing up, Caroline had an inherent interest for the natural world that she discovered through gardening, hiking, and of course, the Planet Earth documentaries. Her background is primarily in molecular and genetic plant biology, but she is excited to get out into the field to pursue her passion for restoration ecology. She joined EarthCorps to get more involved with her local environment in a hands-on setting. When she’s not working, Caroline enjoys reading, watching movies, biking, and going to the lake with her friends.

Edgar (he/him) was born and raised in Seattle, where he developed a great love of nature through backyard birding, and the plant-based passion of close friends. He has a passion for identifying birds, bugs, plants, and all their unique roles in the ecosystems that surround them, and is thrilled to start giving back to them.
When not busy staring down local wildlife, Ed loves baking, gardening, video games, and D&D.

To Liz, being a first-generation college graduate means figuring things out as she goes, and having many feelings of uncertainty. It also gives her the opportunity to represent and uplift those with similar experiences in underrepresented spaces. In college, she discovered a deep interest for the physical sciences as she did for the humanities, and pursued an education in Chemistry and Religious Studies at the University of California, Irvine. Here, Liz spent time synthesizing organic chemicals, learning about human culture, and working as a part-time barista in Orange County where she crossed paths with many great individuals. In these spaces, Liz found a support system that guided her toward Earthcorps. Since relocating, her experience in the PNW has been nothing short of beautiful, and she looks forward to building her year ahead in the Corps. A naturally optimistic person, Liz romanticizes her life by enjoying live music, exploring her neighborhood, creating photo albums, traveling, strolling…

Jacob comes from Dubuque Iowa, within the Driftless Zone of the Midwest. Jacob came to Earthcorps looking for a head start in the environmental sphere and has found not only that but strong community, meaningful labor and lifelong memories, leading to their desicion to stay another year.

Contributing hands to help with the health and wellness of my home region. Only working for money until I have the skills to roam like Musashi and focus on my martial arts research.

Laurabelén relocated from Miami Florida. For as long as she could remember she’s had an interest in helping the environment. For someone with a dream in working with the USDA from inspecting land for invasive insects to managing land for logging and controlled fires, this opportunity has been a dream come true and an amazing stepping stone in reaching their goals. A very special thanks to their loved ones in encouraging and pushing them to carry their dreams no matter the distance from Home.

Lauriane Noirot (she/her) joined the 2024 EarthCorps cohort in order to support EarthCorps efforts in restoring local ecosystems. She holds a BA in Environmental Sciences and a MA in Agricultural Development. After working on projects in sustainable agriculture and waste management for the past 3 years, Lauriane decided it was time to spend more time in the field. At EarthCorps, her goal is to gain knowledge of PNW ecosystems in order to link ecosystem restoration/conservation to the local agricultural sector. In her free time, Lauriane enjoys traveling, hiking and learning from others.

Lillian Mance (She/Her) relocated to Washington after graduating from the University of Arizona with a degree in Natural Resources with an emphasis in ecology and rangeland management. During her time at UA, Lillian found her passion for ecological restoration and environmental policy. She worked for the university as Science Outreach Intern Educator, Student Field Botanist, Aquaponics Lab Tech, Horticulture Technician Intern with the incredible Borderlands Restoration Network, and continues to work as a researcher on the innovative NEPAccess team.

Lillian hopes to combine research and education in her future career, and contribute to environmental policy reform. She plans to pursue graduate school in ecology, and continue to help the planet heal in whatever way possible. She is thrilled to be a member of Earthcorps and start her professional journey with a group of hardworking, optimistic change-makers.

Lily (she/they) was born and raised in Seattle WA. She earned a Bachelor of Science from The Evergreen State College where she studied natural sciences including invertebrate zoology and evolutionary biology. After serving a term with the Washington Conservation Corps in 2019-2020, they interned at PAWS Wildlife Hospital caring for sick and injured wildlife. She then spent some time working in childcare and environmental education before returning to environmental restoration with EarthCorps, where she is excited to gain the experience needed to continue a career in the environmental field. She is passionate about conservation and happiest when she gets to spend her time outdoors making a positive impact on the environment.

Outside of work, they enjoy hiking, camping, watching movies, listening to music, and spending time with their friends and cats!

Lindsey (she/her) grew up in a small town in Illinois and developed a deep love for nature as she romped around the sandstone canyons and oak forests of her home. She pursued her passion of making lasting impacts within the environment by moving to Colorado to complete a B.A. in Ecology and Environmental Biology at Western Colorado University. Here, she gained intense appreciation and focus in botany, taking all of the related courses possible and working on an undergraduate research project informing Endangered Species Act listing for a rare plant species. After college, she worked as a botanical field technician for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, travelling around the state, recording botanical inventories, and tracking rare plant populations in various habitats. She is very excited to grow her knowledge and love for botany and to develop her skills in ecological restoration through EarthCorps. Lindsey spends her free time backpacking, playing with her beloved cat and dog, and completing her education to become a Certified Herbalist.

Lottie has a lifetimes worth of observation of the outdoors. As a child (and still to this day) they enjoyed hands on learning and getting dirty while doing it. In high school they were apart of an Environmental Academy which further ingrained their love for all things ecology and systems. When Lottie isn’t yelling “Hot Saw” from deep in the woods doing fire prevention or screaming in the streets for human/earth rights – you’ll find them laying at home recharging and indulging in what they call “rotting”.

Luke Johnson (He/Him) grew up in Seattle but moved to Shoreline in 2018. After graduating High School, he decided to do a gap year and join Earth Corps. He plans to study environmental science in college after his time in Earth Corps. Growing up, Luke always had an interest in the environment. This stemmed from the many camping trips and hikes he would go on as a child. He loves everything outdoors and enjoys hiking, camping, and reading in his free time. 

Meet Mar ( they/ them) they’re a Corps member! mar is a passionate advocate for habitat restoration and wildlife conservation. Mar is currently pursuing their degree in Geography at the university of north texas in denton texas, and hopes to pursue their masters in wetland ecology after! mar has spent time in lab settings doing research and also has experience conducting work with GIS systems. When not immersed in the world of preserving nature, you can find them playing music with their band and spending time with their cats.

Marlo relocated from El Paso, Texas where he got his Bachelors in Neuroscience conducting nicotine dependence research, and is a board member for NOVA Initiative- an organization that promotes evidence-based education on nicotine products to public schools. He has also conducted environmental health research for La Mujer Obrera studying the impacts of environmental racism on redlined barrios. They have been critical in local climate justice campaigns, arroyo restoration projects in New Mexico, and a supervisor at the Casa del Sagrado Corazon migrant shelter. As a chapter leader and board member for Students for Sensible Drug Policy, he has presented educational harm reduction workshops, advocating for evidence-based approaches, policies, and perspectives on stigmatized substances. His passion for research, ending the failed war on drugs, climate justice, and migrant rights all interconnect towards the liberation of all people and reparations to communities fighting colonialism. At EarthCorps he hopes to do the hard, good work in ecological restoration while being guided by intersectional principles. Marlo enjoys antojitos, hiking, thrifting, volunteering, and skateboarding on his off time.

Max (he/him) grew up in Radford, Virginia, and then went to Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York where he majored in Environmental Studies with a focus on Forest Ecology and Geography. After graduating, he moved to Seattle and worked as a teacher’s assistant at an outdoor preschool. He is excited to join EarthCorps in their conservation and restoration work, and hopes to continue his career in the ecology field. Outside of work, Max can be found walking his dog around Capitol Hill or babysitting his former students.

As a Corpsmember at EarthCorps, Mitchell brings a unique blend of academic curiosity and a passion for conservation work. Initially drawn to the intricacies of biochemistry, he soon realized that his true calling lay outdoors, where he could actively contribute to local communities and the environment.

Choosing the path of conservation work was a deliberate shift away from corporate culture, driven by a desire to make a tangible impact and connect with nature. The decision to become a Corpsmember at EarthCorps is rooted in the joy of working with one’s hands, solving real-world problems, and fostering positive change in the communities we serve.

He is excited to be part of EarthCorps, where every day presents an opportunity to channel his academic background into practical solutions for environmental challenges. Together with like-minded individuals, Mitchell is committed to making a lasting difference in our natural surroundings and building a more sustainable future.

Rebekah spent most of her childhood outside, which has inspired her love for learning more about the natural world. Rebekah moved from Berea, Kentucky where she got a degree in Anthropological Archaeology. With a background in organic farming and working on archeological digs, Rebekah understands how human connections to the earth shape culture. As an Earthcorps crew member, Rebekah is excited to be immersed in the nature of Washington and learn from those around her. When she is not digging in the dirt, Rebekah loves baking bread, finding fun swim spots, and biking anywhere she can.

River has studied at Northern Illinois University and earned his Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies with a focus on Biological Restoration. He has also done several projects throughout his educational career from developing a tree management program for his college campus, to conducting research at the Nachusa Grasslands.

With an educational background in biodiversity, sustainable practices, and green technologies, and an extra curricular background in Speech and Debate, River is looking for a way to make the world around him more sustainable and cohesive with nature (I think cohesive is the right word).

When River isn’t fighting for a sustainable future, you can find him enjoying the outdoors fishing, birding, hiking. As well as find him on the piste fencing sabre.

Soren Wilkie (they/them) grew up in Berea, Kentucky, learning the names of all the trees native to eastern and central Kentucky. Now, they are excited to learn some new names in eastern Washington’s natural and urban forests while getting their hands dirty on ecological restoration. When they’re not pulling weeds or trying to identify a new plant, they like to crochet, play pokemon, and hang out with their cat.

As a Seattle native and lover of the great outdoors, William is excited to be serving his community with EarthCorps this year. William recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics but decided to try something completely different for a year — “life is short, why not make it an adventure?” he says. Besides working with EarthCorps, William enjoys gardening, gaming, and doing improv comedy.

Deogratias Ryumugabe is a Conservation Biologist from Rwanda with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with Honors in Zoology & Conservation from the University of Rwanda. He has worked with a non-profit conservation organization in Rwanda to study and assess bats ecosystem services to trigger their conservation and engage community members to abolish negative perceptions towards bats. He later worked as a Deputy Manager for the first animal sanctuary and nature reserve in Rwanda for disabled Grey Crowned Cranes. He is also an active member of the Rwanda Safari Guides Association. As an International Corps member, he’s learning more about ecological restoration work in the Puget Sound region and how the skills learned can be applied back home and build collaboration between local communities and organizations involved in this type of work. He enjoys bird watching, biking, music, meeting new people, and discovering new places.

Gabriela (she/her) is from Florianópolis, a small island in the South of Brazil. She is a biologist and works for a nonprofit, The Horus Institute for Conservation and Environmental Development. She also was a science teacher in a public municipal school in Florianópolis for the past two years, teaching kids from 6 to 15 years old. She’s an outdoor enthusiast, who loves exercising, hiking, cycling, running… She has loved nature since she was a little kid, so working with environmental conservation and ecological restoration has always been her life goal. It’s her first time in the US, she misses her family and friends very much, especially her cats.

After participating in many research projects in Rwanda, Gisele realized that she can be part of the solution her community needs.

Her journey began as a young community leader, volunteering with CorpsAfrica in Rwanda working with local communities to design small led development projects in remote areas of her country. This experience ignited her passion for environmental initiatives, leading her to establish Fruit-Trees Enterprise, a social enterprise in Bugesera district that combats malnutrition and drought through agroforestry by integrating fruit tree planting into daily agriculture of the local community.

She furthered her education with a master’s degree in Agrarian, Food, and Environmental Studies from ISS. she is passionate about outdoor activities, which help her recharge and reflect. Inspired by EarthCorp, she actively engages in environmental restoration work to gain hands-on experience and leadership skills that she aims to apply in her future projects/career.

Ivanna Sarakhman (she/her) is a PhD student in the geography field and is working towards conservation efforts in the Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park as a junior researcher. Originally from the Ukraine cultural region called Podillya. Her professional goal is to build a sustainable environment. She is passionate about actively participating in initiatives that promote nature conservation, sustainable development, and a balanced relationship between humans and the environment. She seeks to gain the insights and expertise needed to contribute to Ukraine’s decision-making processes for the environment. Additionally, she loves spending time outdoors, exploring nature, and learning about the cultural background of local communities.