Meet the Team
Meghan Ballard - Chair
Meghan Ballard grew up in Central Pennsylvania until moving to the Willamette Valley in high school. She graduated from Portland State University with a B.S. in Environmental Science with a focus in Geology and has completed graduate level coursework in Environmental Education. She has more than ten years of experience in environmental education engaging K-12 science classes in stream and wetland restoration projects. She has worked for SOLVE, The Wetlands Conservancy, and Friends of Tryon Creek State Park. She is currently a freelance environmental educator with the Grande Ronde Model Watershed Council's Community Science Project, a teaching artist with Art Center East, a Cub Scouts Den Leader, and a branch ambassador for Union County Hike It Baby. In her spare time she likes taking her two boys outside, sewing, and hiking with her dog.
Meghan Ballard grew up in Central Pennsylvania until moving to the Willamette Valley in high school. She graduated from Portland State University with a B.S. in Environmental Science with a focus in Geology and has completed graduate level coursework in Environmental Education. She has more than ten years of experience in environmental education engaging K-12 science classes in stream and wetland restoration projects. She has worked for SOLVE, The Wetlands Conservancy, and Friends of Tryon Creek State Park. She is currently a freelance environmental educator with the Grande Ronde Model Watershed Council's Community Science Project, a teaching artist with Art Center East, a Cub Scouts Den Leader, and a branch ambassador for Union County Hike It Baby. In her spare time she likes taking her two boys outside, sewing, and hiking with her dog.
Ben Walker - Treasurer
Ben Walker grew up in Pennsylvania, received his B.S. from Penn State University in Environmental Resource Management, and moved out to Montana soon afterwards to work on trails for the US Forest Service in the Scapegoat Wilderness. He accepted a permanent recreation position with the USFS on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska in 2005, moved to Ukiah, OR in 2016, and on to the La Grande Ranger District in 2019 as the recreation specialist. He currently lives with his wife, Mary, and enthusiastic daughter, Vivian, in Island City, and gets outside with them and their old Labrador, Skeena, and young redbone hound, Red, on outdoor adventures as often as possible. He is fascinated by the natural world, and loves learning about plant and animal communities and sharing those wonders with Vivian.
Ben Walker grew up in Pennsylvania, received his B.S. from Penn State University in Environmental Resource Management, and moved out to Montana soon afterwards to work on trails for the US Forest Service in the Scapegoat Wilderness. He accepted a permanent recreation position with the USFS on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska in 2005, moved to Ukiah, OR in 2016, and on to the La Grande Ranger District in 2019 as the recreation specialist. He currently lives with his wife, Mary, and enthusiastic daughter, Vivian, in Island City, and gets outside with them and their old Labrador, Skeena, and young redbone hound, Red, on outdoor adventures as often as possible. He is fascinated by the natural world, and loves learning about plant and animal communities and sharing those wonders with Vivian.
Lanny Flaherty - Secretary
bio coming soon
bio coming soon