This article was published on: 07/12/23 11:30 AM
Hello, my name is Sarah Ross, and I am thrilled to be working as the Project Zero intern with the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council (UDWC) and the Deschutes River Conservancy (DRC). My role involves supporting various projects aimed at improving the health of the Deschutes River Basin. My responsibilities include assisting the UDWC with riparian restoration projects, instream monitoring, and helping with youth education programs. In addition, I will be coordinating and creating copy for social media, website, and blog articles to support DRC’s mission and goals.
I recently graduated from Southern Oregon University with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy. As an undergrad, I worked as the Student Director at the Outdoor Program where I gained technical field skills and developed facilitation skills in various group dynamics. Additionally, I worked closely with the Director of Sustainability as the Zero-Waste Coordinator for three years. My time in Ashland was pivotal to my personal development regardless of the challenges presented by COVID during the first two years of my education.
Before moving to Oregon I grew up in a small town tucked away in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, and I learned early on the value of nature and of its preservation. Like any kid, I spent much of my childhood in the dirt, making mud pies, playing in the creek, picking flowers, and finding worms in the garden. As I grew older, I was able to expand my outdoor explorations, spending the winters on skis and the summers backpacking in the San Juan mountains. Outside of the office, I still enjoy rock climbing, mountain biking, reading in the sun, and cooking for friends and family.
During my time as a PGE Project Zero Intern at the DRC and UDWC, I know that I will continue to learn as much about the integral components of water management, as I will about myself. I am looking forward to collaborating with a diverse team of experts, allowing me to learn and contribute to real-world conservation efforts. I am grateful for this opportunity to help make a difference in the community and foster a sustainable future for the beautiful Deschutes River Basin.
