Alison Studley Executive Director

Alison grew up exploring the rivers, farms, and mountains of the Skagit Valley.  After receiving a Master of Marine Affairs degree from the University of Washington and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from UC Santa Barbara Alison first starting working for SFEG in 1997.  In 1999 she became the Executive Director.  Alison greatly values her role at SFEG and her role in helping to ensure that the Magic of the Skagit remains intact for future generations.  Alison is the mother of two sons, Ervin and Zakary.  When not working, she and her husband Drew delight in sharing new adventures as a family rafting, kayaking, camping and exploring. She can be reached at astudley (at) skagitfisheries.org.

Why I Do the Conservation Work That I Do an article by Alison Studley (pdf)

 

 

 

 

Yuki Reiss Restoration Ecologist

Yuki was born in Kyoto, Japan and grew up in Seattle, WA. She has an undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon, and an M.S. in Biology from Central WA University with an emphasis in fisheries population genetics. Yuki spent 16 years working in eastern WA for the Dept of Natural Resource, U.S. Forest Service, and Yakima Basin Fish & Wildlife Recovery Board. For the past 10 years Yuki has worked in Kauai, Hawaii on seabird habitat restoration, but she is happy to be back in the PNW reconnecting with salmon, trout, and cold-water streams. In her free time Yuki enjoys hiking, kayaking, scuba diving, traveling, playing ultimate frisbee and spending time with her husband and two daughters.  Yuki can be reached at kyreiss (at) skagitfisheries.org.

 

 

 

 

 

Lucy DeGrace Outreach Manager

A native of Cincinnati, Lucy joined the SFEG team in 1999 after completing a B.S. in Natural Resources at the Ohio State University.  Lucy really enjoys teaching kids and adults about salmon and stream ecology.  In her spare time she enjoys birding, gardening, traveling, and photography, and spending quality time with her cat and bunny.  Reach her at ldegrace (at) skagitfisheries.org.

 

 

 

 

Nathan White Riparian Restoration Manager

Nathan graduated from Western Washington University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Science and a Minor in Geography. Prior to joining SFEG, he served for two years with the Washington Conservation Corps crew sponsored by SFEG. He then led SFEG’s field technicians in implementing restoration projects for two years before moving into his current role. Nathan’s love for working outdoors has taken him from a commercial fishing vessel in Alaska to a trail crew in the high country of New Mexico, and he’s excited to continue strengthening his connection to the Skagit watershed. You can reach Nathan at nwhite (at) skagitfisheries.org.

 

 

 

 

Melody Meyers Finance and Operations Manager

Melody came to Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group with a background in both finance and business. She’s not a stranger to the non-profit sector, spending 25 years working within non-profit organizations. When she’s not crushing numbers and solving problems, Melody likes to quilt and spend time with her grandchildren. She likes to be outside, especially when she’s working out in her yard! You can reach her at accounting (at) skagitfisheries.org.

 

 

 

 

 

BengtBengt Miller Stewardship Coordinator

Bengt began his restoration career right out of college.  After an internship performing in-stream monitoring during the summer of 1999 he became the first AmeriCorps/WCC individual placement Skagit Fisheries employed.  After his year of service he moved to Maine to do another AmeriCorps year.  Upon returning back to the Northwest he used his AmeriCorps education allowance to attend the Bellingham Technical College, where he learned about land surveying, mapping and GIS.  In February of 2009 he began working full time at Skagit Fisheries as a Watershed Restoration Technician.  He loves the outdoor aspect of his job and finds the work fulfilling.  Outside of work he can usually be found wherever there is an Ultimate Frisbee game.  Contact Bengt at bmiller (at) skagitfisheries.org.

 

 

 

 

Muriel Troka Restoration Technician-Crew Lead

Growing up in Concrete Washington, Muriel spent her childhood exploring the scenic Skagit River watershed. This inspired her to pursue a career outdoors, working to preserve and restore the land she feels strongly connected to. After completing a BA in Environmental Policy from Western Washington University, Muriel worked at a State Park, then served two terms with the Washington Conservation Corps, first with the City of Bellingham, then here at SFEG. Muriel finds field work fun and rewarding, and enjoys being able to swim in the river, play in the mud, and learn to ID new plant and animal species. In her free time, you may find Muriel camping, hiking, swimming, and cross-country skiing with her friends and family, and playing with Sitka, her rescue kitty.  She can be reached at mtroka (at) skagitfisheries.org.

 

 

 

 

Kelin Doner Restoration Technician

Kelin grew up just south of Seattle, exploring the outdoors and looking forward to trips up to the Skagit Valley. She earned a BA in Biology from Lewis & Clark College. After spending some time living overseas, she returned to Washington to reconnect with the Northwest through a service term with Earthcorps prior to joining SFEG. In her free time, Kelin enjoys backpacking, climbing, foraging for mushrooms, and crocheting in the company of her two cats.  Reach her at kdoner (at) skagitfisheries.org.

 

 

 

 

Holly Henderson Communications and Development Coordinator

Holly grew up in Snohomish, Washington, and has always loved spending time outdoors. She began her college career at Oregon State University, and in 2022 graduated from Western Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation Management and Leadership, focusing primarily on ecotourism and equitable outdoor recreation. Prior to joining SFEG she worked with a number of Washington wineries assisting with wine tastings and culinary courses. In her free time she enjoys paddle boarding on Lake Whatcom, exploring local beaches, and cooking. On cold winter days she can be found constantly checking the weather forecast for snow, and during the summer she’s out on the water whenever she can be.  She can be reached by email at hhenderson (at) skagitfisheries.org.

 

 

 

Myrriah Crowley Habitat Specialist

Myrriah grew up in the redwoods of California and moved to the PNW several years ago to explore this wild and biodiverse region. She started at Skagit Fisheries as a Riparian Restoration Associate AmeriCorps member after graduating from Western Washington University with a degree in Environmental Science, emphasis in Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology. She is very glad to be continuing to work with this team and community of fishy, plant people. Before moving to WA, Myrriah earned a degree in Horticulture with an emphasis on Organic Agriculture and Crop Production at Cabrillo College. She enjoys gardening, foraging, hiking, good food and cold water; she is excited to keep building a relationship with the community that keeps our waters, salmon, people, and environment healthy and thriving here in the Salish Sea. Contact her at mcrowley (at) skagitfisheries.org.

 

 

2023-2024 AmeriCorps Washington Service Corps Members

 

Connor Garrod, Restoration Associate

Born and raised in Flagstaff, Arizona, Connor moved to the PNW to attend Western Washington University. In June 2023, she graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Science with an emphasis in Freshwater and Terrestrial Ecology. During her time at WWU, she had the opportunity to intern at Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group as a vegetation monitoring intern. During this internship, she discovered how incredible native plants and salmon are to Washington habitats and decided to focus her last year at university more on ecological restoration. She is so excited to continue gaining field experience and memorizing all sorts of flora and fauna. In her free time, Connor can be found playing clarinet with the Whatcom Wind Ensemble; hiking, biking and swimming all over Whatcom county; or simply curled up with a good book and some tea.  Connor can be reached at cgarrod (at) skagitfisheries.org.

 

 

 

 

Clare Spain, Education Associate

Clare grew up in Maryland close to the Chesapeake Bay. Last year, she graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County where she studied Environmental Systems and Geography. She has previously worked as an environmental educator and is excited to be continuing her journey at SFEG. In her free time she enjoys swimming, cooking, and exploring new places.  Clare can be reached at cspain (at) skagitfisheries.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interns

 

Abbie Niskanen, Education Intern

Abbie grew up in Vancouver, Washington, and is currently attending Western Washington University. She will be graduating next fall with a degree in Environmental Education and Eco-Social Justice. Abbie has spent the last few years working with kids and is looking forward to incorporating her love for the outdoors into her work this year. In her free time, you can find her out on the water kayaking or curled up with a book and a cup of coffee. Abbie is excited to learn more about riparian habitat restoration, stream ecology, and the salmon life cycle during her time with SFEG.

 

 

 

Michaela Provancha, Education Intern

Born in Everett, Michaela currently attends Western Washington University. She is graduating in December of 2023 with a B.S. in Environmental Science and a certificate in Energy and the Environment. Michaela enjoys spending time outside, whether she’s hiking, swimming, or going on a picnic. When the weather gets cold you can find her bundling up at home with her cat and enjoying some warm tea. Michaela is excited to start her career in environmental education with Skagit Fisheries this year!