Welcoming new team members at Conservation Northwest: Mike Liu and Jen Mannas
Conservation Northwest / Mar 06, 2020 / Our Staff, Work Updates
Get to know our new Membership and Operations Associate, Jen Mannas, and Okanogan Forest Lead, Michael Liu!
New faces at Conservation Northwest
Jen Mannas, Membership and Operations Associate
Where are you from and how long have you lived in the northwest?
I grew up partly in Maryland and partly in Florida; throughout my career in the wildlife biology field I worked on various research projects which led me to live in several U.S. states and spend eight seasons in Antarctica. I landed in the Pacific Northwest in 2013 when I started working on a seabird management project in Astoria, Oregon.
Why conservation northwest? what about this organization appeals to you?
What drew me to Conservation Northwest is their reputation of using sound science and collaboration to successfully protect, connect and restore the wild. As a kid I spent a lot of time outside in the woods exploring, hiking, camping, and fishing. I developed a great appreciation for wild spaces, an interest in the wildlife that inhabit them, and an understanding of why they need to be preserved and protected. I am so thrilled to join the Conservation Northwest team and meld my wildlife background with my non-profit development skills to support a mission I truly connect with.
what do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
When I’m not working I enjoy taking our three dogs to nearby dog parks, hiking, knitting, going to Sounders games and the movies, traveling, and spending time with friends.
Who is your environmental hero?
There are so many people in the wildlife ecology field I have worked with and admire. But if I have to just pick one, I choose Chris Parish. Chris has led the Peregrine Fund’s California condor recovery project in Arizona for 20 years. He has always put his heart and soul into his work and because of his leadership, condors are flying high above the Grand Canyon in large numbers again. He is also involved with vulture conservation projects around the world and is an advocate for conserving avian scavengers.
Michael Liu, Okanogan Forest Lead
Where are you from and how long have you lived in the northwest?
I emigrated from Taiwan as a child and grew up in Southern California. The Boy Scouts instilled in me a love for the outdoors and wild places. After earning the rank of Eagle Scout, I moved to Northern California and studied Forest Management at Humboldt State University in Northern California. I then embarked on a 36-year career in public service working for the U.S. Forest Service in a variety of positions in: the Northern and Central Rockies, the Central Sierras, the Kenai Peninsula, upstate New York and the Green Mountains, and finally the Cascades. I moved to the Methow Valley more than ten years ago as the district ranger overseeing 1.3 million acres of National Forest. I retired about a year and a half ago and came out of retirement to join Conservation Northwest.
Why conservation northwest? what about this organization appeals to you?
As the former district ranger for the Methow Valley Ranger District, I was impressed by the knowledge and passion of the staff at Conservation Northwest. Together, we were able to partner on various restoration projects. The organization always relied on a science-based approach and looked for common ground and solutions over conflict. What was equally impressive was the organization’s willingness to back their words up with funding to help implement restoration projects on the ground. That demonstrated integrity. I am looking forward to using my 36 years of experience in public land management to further the mission of Conservation Northwest.
what do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
I enjoy travelling internationally to places like Mongolia, Northern India, Nepal, and Southwest China to work with local villagers on community development projects such as clean water, training on fire prevention and suppression, and agricultural solutions such as low-tech greenhouses. I also enjoy the full range of outdoor recreational opportunities and have a soft spot for restoration of fire lookouts and trail work. I am currently working on a community trail project that will one day connect the communities of Winthrop and Twisp.
Who is your environmental hero?
Teddy Roosevelt. He showed great courage, vision, and fortitude in securing large tracts of public land for generations of Americans. Besides, who wouldn’t like the person who inspired the teddy bear?