Education Coordinator Devon Buckham.
We’re delighted to share that Jefferson Land Trust has hired local educator Devon Buckham as our new full-time Education Coordinator — the Land Trust’s first-ever position dedicated solely to education!
A former teacher in the Chimacum School District and longtime volunteer with the Land Trust and other community organizations, Devon stepped into the Education Coordinator role in August 2024. Working with teachers, school administrations, Land Trust staff members, and our wonderful education volunteers, he’ll help us run the highly valued learning programs we’ve developed for local public schools over the years, and expand them to meet the needs of local teachers, students, and our community.
“I’ve seen the impact of these kinds of educational programs on students and my own children,” Devon says. “I absolutely believe in this mission and am so excited to be a part of it.”
“I’m thrilled to have Devon onboard,” says Carrie Clendaniel, Preserve Manager, who’s run our youth education programs for many years. “On a personal and professional level, he’s totally aligned with these programs that we’ve put so much heart and soul into over the past 12 years. I couldn’t see anyone better to carry it forward.”
Devon holds a BA in Multidisciplinary Studies from Western Washington University and a Masters in the Art of Teaching with certification in K-8. He’s spent 23 years on the Olympic Peninsula, and has found opportunities to serve the community in a variety of roles. In addition to his work as an educator, he’s volunteered with his local fire department and as a coach for youth sports. He’s helped lead several Land Trust field trips as an education volunteer, and he’s one of seven community volunteers who make up the Chimacum Ridge Community Forest Board of Managers, which was formed in 2023.
L to R: Owen Fairbank, David Gilluly, Mike Gould, Kris Lenke, Devon Buckham, Tim Lawson, and Dan Hysko — the Chimacum Ridge Community Forest’s volunteer Board of Managers. Photo by Tim Lawson.
“Through this role and the work I’ve done in the past, the Land Trust has given me many opportunities to engage with work that is meaningful, that leads to outcomes that are positive for community members, and that reduces barriers to others being able to access land,” Devon says. “Those are things that are incredibly important to me.”
Devon has seen firsthand the impact of connecting younger generations with the important work being done by Jefferson Land Trust through his experiences as a teacher, a parent, a volunteer, and a child of this place.
“I grew up here and got to experience learning on the landscape in the areas the Land Trust protects,” Devon shares. (His student years predate the Land Trust’s education programs, which are now going into their 13th year.) “As a parent and local educator, I’ve come to see the value of these places and the work the Land Trust is doing in a whole new light. Now, I have the opportunity to help lead those efforts and build meaningful experiences for students. It’s amazing to be able to give back what I’ve gained to these special places, the Land Trust, and the community.”
Students from Quilcene School District with Preserve Manager Carrie Clendaniel on a field trip at Snow Creek Forest Preserve.
He continues, “I think it’s really impactful for community members to see that you can grow up here and be part of positive change in the region. And the way you do that is by engaging with organizations like the Land Trust.”
Jefferson Land Trust takes a responsive approach to creating our youth education programs, working closely with teachers and administrators to develop learning experiences on the land that support the learning that’s happening in the classroom. With this increased capacity, we can ensure we keep growing these relationships and conversations so that we can continue to hone our existing programs and develop new ones in response to classroom needs.
Students observing salmon on a field trip to Duckabush Oxbow and Wetlands Preserve in fall 2023.
We’re planning to focus on expanding our education programming to more students, with the goal of reaching every public school student in East Jefferson County, in each school district (Port Townsend, Chimacum, Quilcene, and Brinnon), in each school year they complete.
In the coming years, we’ll also be exploring further educational opportunities for adults, families, and other community members.
To learn learn more about our youth education programs and Devon’s perspective, click here.
