We are a team of University of Oregon students from a variety of backgrounds and majors, with a shared passion for the environment and a love of the outdoors!
Justine is an Environmental Studies major with an Earth Science minor, and is graduating with the Class of 2024. She chose to participate in ELP due to her love for the natural world. She experienced a lack of environmental education in her youth, so she hopes that her work in ELP will help others learn what she could not.
Cole is studying Environmental Science with a certificate in outdoor leadership and graduates with the Class of 2024. Cole chose to participate in the ELP because they believe that outdoor education plays an essential role in developing a strong sense of self, fostering connections between others, and developing a meaningful relationship with the Earth.
Zoe is studying Environmental Studies and minoring in Planning, Public Policy, and Management, and is graduating with the Class of 2026. She chose to participate in ELP due to her passion for the outdoors, environmental justice, and her dedication to sharing environmental knowledge and inspiring future leaders.
Hannah is an Environmental Studies student and is graduating with the Class of 2024. She chose to partake in ELP because she is passionate about helping youth become better members of society, and an understanding of climate change and climate science is an important component of being an active citizen in this day in age.
Layla is a Planning, Public Policy, and Management major with a minor in Environmental Studies who is graduating with the Class of 2025. ELP has given her the opportunity to combine her environmental interest with her passion for working with children, an experience she will carry with her all the way to her future professional career.
Amanda is a Psychology major with a minor in Environmental Studies and graduates with the Class of 2025. She chose to join ELP because she believes it is important to help people connect to themselves, each other, and to nature.
Cam graduates with the Class of 2024, with a major in Environmental Studies with an Earth Science Minor. He chose to pursue the ELP with a desire to engage with youth in the outdoors driven by the belief that environmental education is instrumental in perpetuating positive change in face of the climate crisis.
Gillian is an Environmental Studies student and is graduating with the Class of 2024. ELP has given her the opportunity to develop her leadership skills while simultaneously sharing her passion for environmental conservation.
Gabriella is an Environmental Science student and graduates with the Class of 2024. ELP has provided her with the tools to develop her leadership skills while combining her interest of working with children and helping spread environmental awareness.
Kai is a Journalism and Anthropology double-major with a minor in Science Communication, and is graduating with the Class of 2025. He joined this program as an opportunity to learn new ways to communicate science. Kai wanted to explore connecting students with nature, which he believes is essential for a healthy mind, body, and spirit.
Eliot is double majoring in Economics and Environmental Science with a minor in Mathematics, and graduates with the Class of 2025. ELP has given her the opportunity to spread awareness of environmental issues, empower the next generation, and continue her journey of lifelong learning.
Sky has a major in Environmental Studies and minors in both Landscape Architecture and Planning, Public Policy, and Management, and graduates with the Class of 2025. Through ELP she strives to share her love of the outdoors with young students and inspire them to take climate action, as well as find a passion for science and outdoor activities, through an engaging environmental education curriculum.
Warren is an Environmental Studies student and is graduating with the Class of 2024. He chose the ELP because of his passion for education and his desire to grow as a mentor, as well as his love for the natural world.
Dr. Lynch is an environmental anthropologist with a focus on the interconnections between environmental and social justice. She is the Co-Director of the Environmental Leadership Program at the University of Oregon where she has been leading ELP with non-profit organizations since 2006. Her courses, projects and publications have explored how to restore connections between students and the more-than-human world, how to translate environmental science to motivate civic engagement, and the reciprocal relationships between plants, people and place.
Dehlia, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, grew up on the Yakama Reservation and earned a BA in Environmental Studies from Heritage University. With five internships in Environmental Science, she pursued a PhD in Environmental Studies at the University of Oregon as a recipient of the NSF GRFP award. As a graduate research fellow, she collaborated with the University of Oregon Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples Initiative on natural resource management plans to stabilize ecosystems and species amidst Climate Change, particularly focusing on Tribal stakeholders.