Our Staff
A big thank you to Holly McRae our
former Environmental Education Coordinator!
Holly McRae is responsible for building our environmental education program from the ground up during her eight years of dedicated work at WREN.
Prior to her work at the West Eugene Wetlands, Holly served as a naturalist and an environmental educator in Yellowstone National Park. She has also served as an environmental educator in Everglades National Park, and Hardware Ranch Elk Refuge. Holly holds a bachelor of science degree from Colorado State University, in natural resource management. Holly is now enjoying more time being a mom, hiking with her family and dog, playing the accordion, and eating sushi.
Jules Abbott
jules@wewetlands.org
Environmental Education Specialist
B.S., Michigan State University
Jules is responsible for volunteer coordination, internship supervision, curricula development, as well as resource development and public relations. In addition, she participates as a lead educator for the West Eugene Wetlands education program both in the classroom and on-site field trips.
Prior to joining our staff Jules volunteered for WREN leading educational programs and assisting administratively. She also worked with Oregon Research Institute for over 8 years on projects studying how communities can help to promote healthy and successful children. Jules holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, and has completed coursework with the LCC Cooperative Education Program and Naropa University. When not working, she can be found reading, hiking, spending time with her cherished friends and loved ones, and playing with her Greenhill Humane Society graduate, Emma.
Carrie Karl
carrie@wewetlands.org
Environmental Education Assistant
B.S., B.A., University of Minnesota Duluth
Carrie is responsible for scheduling and implementing school programming as well as performing community outreach. As a lead educator, Carrie interprets our wetland habitats in local schools and in the field.
Carrie moved to Eugene from Flagstaff, Arizona in September, 2008. While living in Arizona Carrie worked for the Museum of Northern Arizona as the Visitor Services Manager. Prior to working at the museum Carrie served as an interpretive park ranger for the National Park Service in Grand Teton and Acadia National Parks and Big Cypress National Preserve. Carrie obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental and Technical Geography from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
During her free time, Carrie enjoys paddling, sketching, photography, listening to music, tidepooling, knitting, spinning fibers and exploring the outdoors.
Paula Graff
paula@wewetlands.org
Citizen Science Coordinator
M.S., B.S., Oregon State University
Paula is responsible for coordinating and coaching research projects, research based teaching, Citizen Science lab development and managing our Citizen Science Advisory Council.
Paula received her Master's of Science degree from Oregon State University in Wildlife Science. Prior to working with WREN she has worked as a wildlife biologist on a variety of projects, but has focused primarily on amphibians and birds of Western Oregon. She has also worked as a field crew supervisor with Turnstone Environmental Consultants since 2008.
When not out in the field, Paula enjoys spending time with her dogs and family, quilting, reading, cooking, and gardening.
BLM Staff
A big thank you to
Patricia K. Johnston for years of dedication and hard work!
pat_johnston@blm.gov
Former West Eugene Wetlands Project Manager
Patricia K. Johnston was the West Eugene Wetlands Project Manager on behalf of the Bureau of Land Management. Since 1999 she had worked as Project Manager, with her central focus on developing an education program and center. She has brought together community leaders and members to support a community vision around ecology studies and environmental education. Her responsibilities have also included oversight of the wetland restoration project and coordination with other WEW partners on overall restoration activities to manage the landscape without regard to political or ownership boundaries.
