Introducing our New Interns: Chin Amadi and Lizzy Coll

Liz Coll (left) and Chin Amadi (right)

We are very lucky to have two wonderful new interns joining us this summer through the Portland General Electric (PGE) Foundation’s Project Zero program, an initiative that provides paid green job internships to young adults at local environmental organizations.

Our interns, Lizzy Coll (they/them) and Chin Amadi (he/him), have both lived in Portland their whole lives and bring valuable perspectives, enthusiasm and knowledge to the Council. If you join us for stewardship work parties, Slough cleanups, and paddle events in the coming months, you’ll likely meet Liz and Chin, who have already taken the helm as superb helpers at our paddle team trainings this summer.

To introduce them, we’d like to share some of their own words in a brief interview.

Tell us about yourself! What do you enjoy doing? What are a few interesting facts about you? 

Chin: My name is Chin Amadi. I grew up in Portland for the 20 years of my life and enjoy playing baseball and basketball. I’d say I’m a pretty knowledgeable person about a lot of subjects. I also live in a pretty big household consisting of 7 members. Last thing is that I’ve made it a goal to own a husky at some point in my life.

Lizzy: I am Liz/Lizzy Coll. I go by either name and prefer Liz or Lizzy to other shortenings of my name. I have lived in Portland for all of my 19 years of life. A few facts: though you may not be able to tell in photos, but I have 10 piercings, the majority of which are on my face and head. I am an aspiring Arborist/Botanist, and I recently moved into a floating home on the Columbia River with my partner.

What sparked your interest in interning for the Columbia Slough Watershed Council?

Chin: I heard of an opportunity from one of my SEI counselors to join a program in community building and helping the environment, a field that I’ve had some experience in. There were multiple programs of this type I could have chosen from, but this one stood out. I also live near the Columbia Slough, which gave me some comfort because it’s a familiar area.

Lizzy: I wanted to intern for the Council as a chance to give back to the community and provide educational experiences to build positive relationships with nature. I loved the idea of mixing physical labor with community engagement.

What do you enjoy most about working with the Council? What do you find most challenging or difficult?

Chin: I really enjoy meeting new people and hanging out with volunteers. It’s always a good feeling to make new friends with the people I’m working with. It’s especially a breath of fresh air after Covid halted everything. One thing that’s difficult for me is working around plants because they can really irk my allergies, which can be miserable.

Lizzy: What I enjoy most about working with the Council is that I get to learn and work while teaching the community what I have learned. What I find most challenging is the lack of information I have, because we work with volunteers and the public, and lots of questions are asked.  This makes me feel like I don't have adequate information for them, or I have to rely on asking my supervisors to relay the answers.

What is one thing that you would like to accomplish, or be a part of during your time with the Council?

Chin: I just want to get through it all, really. It's been a long time since I’ve gone out of the house and to complete a 6-month program in a field of interest would be a step in the right direction to getting back on track.

Lizzy: I would like to become proficient in plant identification, so that I can teach the public about the native plants and their importance during community events.

Any other thoughts that you would like to share?

Chin: In this program, I am also slowly learning to get over a fear of water.

Lizzy: “Though she be but little, she is fierce” - William Shakespeare

“From a small seed a mighty trunk may grow” - Aeschylus

Thank you, Lizzy and Chin! We’re rooting for you and excited to have you on the team!