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Heather and her service dog, George.

Heather King

Heather joined the Council as Executive Director in March 2022. She has more than 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, most recently as Deputy Director of Willamette Riverkeeper, where she was responsible for fundraising, staff development, and supervision, and with 350PDX, where she helped rebuild the organization’s fundraising program. Heather has founded two nonprofits: Pride Zone, a center for LGBTQA+ young people in Northampton, MA, and Brandywine Roller Derby, in Downingtown, PA. A lifelong social justice advocate, educator and leader, Heather has a strong commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI).

Heather holds a Master’s in Social Justice Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and an MBA in Nonprofit Management and Social Policy from the Heller School at Brandeis University in Waltham, MA. An east coast native with a lifelong interest in the outdoors and exploring the world, Heather quickly developed a love of the Pacific Northwest. She is passionate about connecting volunteers, partners, and donors to the outdoors and the importance, vitality, and joy of Oregon’s natural resources, especially her waterways.

A nomad at heart, Heather enjoys spending free time exploring the PNW and beyond, camping and/or canoeing. She loves getting to know new cultures and meeting people, as well as cooking, baking, Legos, Dungeons and Dragons, and reading a good book.

Most want to see at the Slough: Raptors and other birds—I enjoy learning about their migration and seasonal patterns.

Favorite thing about the Slough: Right now, I’m most excited about the potential the Slough has for introducing and engaging people in the outdoors through direct participation. 

Photo by Liliana from George MS

Jennifer Starkey

Jennifer has been the Education Director since 2016. A child of the west hills, Jennifer benefited from PPS's class and race inequities and in 1996 had no idea the Slough flooded. She scored highly on a national spanish language standardized test and spent her late adolescence doing a photography thesis on garbage. After working with MESD Outdoor School, Jennifer completed a social justice focused teaching program at Lewis & Clark. She has also picked up diapers and glitter at Oxbow park, made coffee at an off brand starbucks within a Kaiser, worked holiday phone retail, and wiped many surfaces. In her spare time, Jennifer is extremely online and will never learn to drive standard transmission.

Bring three objects on your Slough adventure, what are they? - Crocs, gloves, pruners 

Favorite memory with Columbia Slough Watershed Council? Right before major summer events when Kirk would be softly playing "Unwell" by Matchbox 20, or this moment.

 

Maya Hurst-Mayr

Maya has lived in the Pacific Northwest her entire life and is passionate about protecting the natural environment. A Seattlite at heart, she has a deep appreciation for good coffee and rain. Maya worked as a sustainability intern, and realizing she wanted to take her environmental skills further, she went back to school to earn her Master’s in Environmental Science and Management at Portland State University (PSU). Maya completed a research project on potential microplastic management in Oregon. She also worked at One Green World Plant Nursery and discovered the world of fruiting plants and horticulture. After earning her degree, she worked in watershed advocacy and found her passion for justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. At the Columbia Slough, she is very excited to bring in new funding sources for the Council’s mission. In her free-time, Maya enjoys running with her dog, Nala, gardening, and drawing.

Most excited to learn about in the Slough: Freshwater mussels, native plants, and paddling!

If not by the Slough, you’ll find me: Running or drinking coffee!

 

Amanda Gallegos

Amanda joined the Columbia Slough team in 2022. She grew up in the Pacific Northwest and finds herself most at home during quiet moments in a canoe, walking through tall trees, and swimming in its rivers and lakes.

In 2016, she earned her BS in Environmental Studies from Portland State University and since has been working in events. Her work has primarily been with nonprofits and includes Willamette River based trash cleanup events, community paddles, film events, and overnight canoeing events.

Outside of the Columbia Slough Watershed Council, Amanda is actively engaged with Green Lents and Earth Day Oregon. On a random day off, you can likely find her on her bike, reading a book, and exploring new food in Portland, often with her pups, Nimbus and Beamer, in tow.

Amanda is excited to deepen her connection to the community throughout the Slough, as well as expand opportunities for the community to connect with nature, with each other and with the Columbia Slough itself.

Most excited to learn more about: The many bird species that call the Slough home

Favorite way to explore the Slough: Quiet mornings in a canoe

 

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Liz Coll

Liz Coll joined the Columbia Slough Watershed Council in 2021 as an intern with PGE’s Project Zero Green Jobs internship program. Today, they continue to work for the slough as the Slough School Assistant Educator and as our Program Coordinator. Liz loves to spend their time outdoors observing the beauty of nature. They also are inspired by nature and are passionate about learning the local native plants, as well as teaching about the local native plants. In 2023 received their Associates of Arts Transfer degree from PCC, focusing on environmental studies. 

If you could be any creature or plant for the day, what would you be? A Western red cedar 

Best word that describes the Slough? Abundant

 

Valeria Villanueva

Born in Mexico and raised in Oregon, Valeria Villanueva brings a dedicated mindset and diverse professional background. Valeria has several years of experience in the non-profit industry and as an active member in her community, she is passionate about advancing equity, diversity and inclusion across all professional sectors in Oregon. 

She plans to strengthen community relationships at the Slough, increase volunteer participation, and continue empowering underserved communities to enjoy the natural areas in the Pacific Northwest. 

Valeria graduated from Western Oregon University with a B.A in Communication Studies and Spanish. When she is not at the office, Valeria enjoys reading, being in nature, live music and spending time with friends and family.

Most excited to learn about in the Slough: Native plants and learning how different communities enjoy the slough!

If not by the Slough, you’ll find me: At a concert or exploring new trails!

Caitlin Costello

Caitlin Costello (she/her/hers) grew up in the foothills of Yosemite with a deep appreciation for the natural world. In her early 20s, she worked as a park ranger and developed a better understanding of greenspace and access inequity. This pushed her to return to school to earn a bachelor's degree in environmental science and anthropology, graduating in December 2022. During this time, she focused her studies on the intersection between cultural connections to nature and how to engage community members in their local watershed in appropriate ways. She also completed independent research in the public health, mycology, and agroecology fields which was published in February 2023.

Caitlin most recently worked for Tualatin Riverkeepers, a small watershed advocacy nonprofit in Washington County. During her time there, she developed several restoration and leadership development programs.

In her free time, Caitlin enjoys reading anything and everything she can get her hands on. She does historical costuming and sewing, loves movies and board games, and shoots a 1953 Bear Grizzly recurve bow.

If not by the Slough, you’ll find me: At a concert, volunteering at a local theater, or playing DND!

Favorite way to explore the Slough: I’ve most commonly been found longboarding the trail along the Slough, but I’m excited to get out and paddle!



Cing Dim

Cing Dim is from Suangzang, a small village in Myanmar close to the Bay of Bengal. Their connection to nature goes way back—born into it as part of the Naulak tribe, indigenous to Myanmar. In 2009, their family moved to the U.S. with refugee status.

Their journey into environmental work began the summer of their freshman year in high school with the Youth Conservation Crew. It didn't take long for for them to realize that environmental education and ecology were their callings. She continued to explore this passion through Teen Nature Team, leading outdoor youth camps and fostering a love for the environment in others.

Dim is currently finishing her sophomore year at the University of Oregon, pursuing a degree in Environmental Science. Their favorite place to connect with nature in Portland is Mt. Tabor, where they also enjoy blending their interest in art with the beauty of the outdoors.

Dim is excited about the road ahead, especially as she delves deeper into environmental education and ecological work, striving to make a positive impact.

Berenice Martinez

Berenice (she/her/ella) was born and raised right here in the Slough. Being a first-generation Mexican American has driven Berenice to cherish the home her family has created. Berenice graduated with a double major in Business Administration and Accounting from PCC. With over four years working with nonprofit organizations through the accounting lens, Berenice has witnessed firsthand how amazing things can come from the community coming together. Over her short time with the great Columbia Slough, she has witnessed nothing short of that. 

This has fueled her passion for helping her community and our environment. Berenice has spent her whole life admiring the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and all our environment has to offer. She loves to learn to new ways of protecting the environment and navigating the behind the scenes. Berenice is excited to become a part of the mission and strives to contribute her growing skills to ensure our environment and community remain our main focus. 

Favorite thing about the Slough?

Its beauty. The deeper you look the more you will find it is a never ending gift of nature.

Most excited to learn about the Slough?

I am excited to learn more about paddling and spending more time outdoors.

George King

George started his position at CSWC in March of 2022 when Heather King started her position as Executive Director. You may have seen him around the office or at CSWC events and wondered why he is always at her side. George is ever present because he is a trained service animal.