We’re excited to introduce three AmeriCorps Habitat Enhancement Crew members who recently joined us at the Land Trust: Kelcie, Greg, and Jaise!
Throughout their respective 10-month-long, full-time engagements, this AmeriCorps crew will play an important role in the long-term conservation mission of Jefferson Land Trust by supporting the stewardship of lands in our care and assisting with our 1st-12th education. Working with Land Trust staff and with community volunteers, the crew will undertake a variety of strategic actions to improve habitat, species, and structural diversity on several of our nature preserves and forests; support our public education programs and outreach efforts; and much more!
Kelcie Kysar.
Kelcie Kysar grew up in Western Washington and has been admiring the natural beauty of the PNW since she was a young child. From camping in remote areas of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest to kayaking in the Puget Sound, she’s often found outdoors. While working in several customer-service-based positions over the last eight years, Kelcie’s also been working toward gaining professional knowledge and experience in her dream career field of land stewardship, including studying horticulture, biology, and ecology at The Evergreen State College and working for Washington State Parks. Her plans for the future include finalizing her bachelor’s degree in ecology and taking further steps to get her foot in the door for a career she loves, motivated by a desire to protect the great outdoors so that the plants and animals we all love can be enjoyed for many years to come. Reach her at kkysar[at]saveland.org.
“I feel very fortunate and grateful for this opportunity to work with Jefferson Land Trust and am very excited to be furthering my professional experience in this field. I believe preserving the land is necessary for the health of society, as there’s nothing more healing than nature.”
Greg Sachs.
Greg Sachs has spent years dedicating his time to conservation. Originally from Delaware, Greg has also lived in Pennsylvania, where he served as the Chairman of his Township’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space Board. He’s also served as Vice President of the Delaware Audubon Society, worked on natural land management with Mt. Cuba Center in Delaware, and volunteered for numerous conservation organizations, including the Natural Lands Trust in Pennsylvania. Recently, he worked for the Forest of Hope Organization in Rwanda’s Gishwati-Mukura National Park documenting the park’s wild chimpanzee population and helping to habituate them to human presence, and as a tour guide at a butterfly conservatory in Costa Rica. Greg holds a Pennsylvania Master Naturalist certification and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Commercial Photography. Reach him at gsachs[at]saveland.org..
“With an ever-growing world population, I believe that it’s crucial that we protect and nurture what we have left of our natural world. I’m elated to be a part of this vibrant community, take on this fulfilling role completing habitat enhancement work with the Jefferson Land Trust team, and do my part to help make our world a better place.”
Jaise Wilson.
Jaise Wilson has spent most of her life in Southern California. Over the past couple of years, she’s enjoyed doing restoration work in the Los Angeles area with another Americorps internship at TreePeople, and trail maintenance with the Southwest Conservation Corps around the Durango and Telluride areas in Colorado. Jaise recently finished a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, and counts the Northern Cascades and High Sierra as highlights of her journey. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new trails, running, reading, and saying hi to all the dogs. She loves working outside on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula and is looking forward to exploring Washington. Reach her at jwilson[at]saveland.org.
“I’m loving the opportunity to work with Jefferson Land Trust, and feel very lucky to be able to learn more about habitat restoration surrounded by incredible staff and community members. I’m excited for what the future will bring and hope that my time here will open doors for continuing to work in the conservation field for years to come.”
