Currently: Research Specialist - Plant Breeding Holden Arboretum, Cleveland Botanical Garden
Education:
Master of Science, Botany/Plant Biology, Miami University
Bachelor of Science, Biology/ Environmental Science
Miami University
Also part of Team USA, Archery
Chelsea was our first student volunteer back in the first days of RU WQM. She continues to work for the health of our environment as a Research Specialist... "I started at Holden in April of 2023 as a Plant Breeder with emphasis on the eastern hemlock. Currently, the eastern hemlock are struggling from attacks by the hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive species that eventually kills its host. One of the goals with my research is to determine a strategy to stimulate the eastern hemlocks to cone early while in their juvenile stage. It is hoped that accomplishing shortened breeding times can aid in finding and developing disease resistant individuals."
Currently: Wildland Firefighter USDA Forest Service, Wasatch Helitack Crew
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Foresrty with a minor in Mountain Studies
Davidson Honors College, University of Montana
High School Summer Program:
Conserve Summer School
Tucker joined our program in high school. He was able to use his experience with our program to get into the prestigious Conserve Summer School. Cleary that was just the beginning for Tucker as he became an outdoor mentor and climbing instructor himself through the Outdoor Program at UM.
Now he is combining his passion for the outdoors with his knowledge of forestry for his work as a Wildland Firefighter.
Currently: Community Outreach Director, Mill Creek Alliance
Education: Bachelor of Science
Biology and Environmental Studies
University of Cincinnati
Currently pursuing an advanced degree in Natural Resource Management with Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education
While still in high school, Beth was already drawn to environmental work and began collecting stream samples for RU WQM with her dad and niece, Hazel. Since then, Beth has continued to direct her passion for the environment and her community into the work she does. Currently, through her director position with the Alliance, she oversees the Mill Creek Water Quality Monitoring Program, thereby leading the same type of program as she volunteered with years ago.
Currently: high school student
Hazel started collecting stream samples when she was just 3 years old. By the time she was in middle school, she was teaching her Girl Scout Troop how to collect samples and complete field data sheets. She is now in high school and aims to be part of environmentally-based summer programs.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Biology/Biological Sciences
Saint Francis University
From Audrae... "I had been a water quality professional previously, but I was experiencing burnout and switched to working in a different industry. This was healing, but admittedly I missed water. A friend suggested that I look into the Citizens' Water Quality Monitoring as a way to keep my skills fresh. I led the total phosphorus station for a couple years, met GREAT people and reignited my passion for water quality.
"My connections at RU pointed me in the direction of a paid Program Coordinator position with Mill Creek Alliance, an amazing opportunity to learn the fine details of environmental water quality in my local watershed. This eye-opening experience involved managing a huge volunteer team and writing Quality Assurance Program Plans for submission to Ohio EPA.
"My past experience combined with these new skills made me a ripe target for a colleague headhunting for an open position in Southeast Connecticut. Since June 2024, I have been happily serving as Water Quality Manager for Mystic Aquarium. This evolution in my career truly would not have been possible without the people and experiences in Southwest Ohio; my gratitude and thanks to the team at Rivers Unlimited for taking me back to the water!"
Education: pursuing Bachelor of Engineering, Materials Science
From Ian: "Volunteering with Rivers Unlimited gave me first hand knowledge with how science contributed to our local community. I now am studying Materials Science Engineering at Michigan Tech and having previous lab experience helped me in my classes. In all my career day interviews, every company was interested in what I did with Rivers Unlimited!"
Ian started volunteering with RU WQM while he was in high school, on his way to earning The President’s Volunteer Service Award. He is currently studying Materials Engineering at Michigan Technical University. After one of Ian’s visits to perspective colleges, his dad relayed to us that the lab work Ian had been doing with RU WQM was exactly the type of research methods he would be exploring in his first years at the university. Ian continues to volunteer with us when he is back in town from his studies.
coming soon...
coming soon...