Trout Unlimited Staff in Washington

At WCTU, we are very lucky to have several members of the Trout Unlimited National team hard at work right here in our very own state. As Washington boasts a tremendous number of rivers, streams, lakes, and miles of coastline, our waters support a huge population of anadramous and freshwater fish, as well has having some of the best recreational boating, kayaking, and other water-based sports in the country. Protecting our waterways and supporting conservation, we rely on our staff members to build working relationships with our legislators and community leaders to help support Trout Unlimited’s mission and further the scientific studies needed to ensure our coldwater fish are protected.

Meet the Staff

I started at TU as a project manager focused on abandoned mine restoration, which quickly illuminated the shortcomings with WA’s mining laws. The TU grassroots and I worked diligently for 7 years to pass suction dredge reform legislation, which cemented my passion for advocacy and helped me to realize the power our voices hold when we speak together about the issues we care about. From there, I was fortunate enough to advance through the TU ranks in WA to my current position as State Director, where I have the privilege of supporting our fantastic staff in the critical work that they do.

I am excited to advance our important efforts with communities, NGO’s, Native American tribes, government agencies, and other TU staff to find effective solutions to tough environmental challenges facing native fish populations and their habitat in the Evergreen State. My 20+ years of experience in conservation ranges from managing complex, multi-phased aquatic restoration projects to designing and leading ecological studies to spearheading stakeholder groups implementing watershed-scale projects. I’m passionate about exploring innovative tools and leveraging partnerships to scale-up collective efforts for habitat protection and restoration in an era that demands we think outside the box and embrace bold new ideas for conservation.

Working with TU’s grassroots is one of the best parts of my job. Over the course of my 10 years with TU, I have had the privilege of working closely with many of the WA TU Council members and chapter leaders on projects ranging from advocacy to restoration, and I am continually humbled and heartened by how freely and with what undaunted determination these volunteers donate their time to the noble cause of protecting and restoring our native fish.  

My program manages the USFWS Lake Sammamish Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership which has three main focuses:  Pursue projects, conduct research, and support supplementation to recover native kokanee salmon, ESA Chinook, and other salmonids. Coordinate, grow, and seek additional resources for our partner group to leverage our collective resources and maximize engagement of the Seattle metro communities to foster future conservationists and provide access to the outdoors to underserved communities.  Provide education and outreach to the community about the importance of conserving salmon and our watersheds to maintain and improve the quality of life we all enjoy.

I have been involved in fisheries work for over 20 years and my first experience working with TU as a partner was on the North Coast of California. I was impressed by the integrity and quality of the work TU did and when I moved to this area and TU flew my position I had to apply!  Love TU (:

I manage and steward salmon and steelhead habitat restoration projects on the WA Coast. I’ve been passionate about aquatic ecosystems since a kid growing up in Indiana and Colorado. I had a restoration company in CO, Freestone Aquatics (still in business today, led by my former business partner), before moving to WA. I worked for the Suquamish Tribe Fisheries Dept before coming to TU in 2016.

I enjoy most aquatic-based recreation, in being an avid angler, snorkeler, river rafter, etc. I was a Colorado fly fishing guide and guide outfitter owner for many years before my time in WA.

My work includes projects that improve stream flow for fish as well as on farm irrigation efficiencies benefiting both farm and fish. I am also our local leading expert on culvert and passage issues, leading trainings for barrier assessment classes for TU volunteers, and providing passage assessment work for local and state agencies. 

I love working for TU as I feel I bring a unique perspective to the job, having local connections within the community as well as having a working ranch of our own, growing hay and raising cattle while actively working to restore fish habitat and passage. Outside of our 120 head of angus cows, we also have a hobby herd of 10 Texas Longhorns, I actively compete in Cutting Horse competitions, and I breed, raise and compete with our Labrador Retrievers.

I started working seasonally for the Wenatchee-Entiat Beaver Project in 2021 and was hired on full time in the fall of 2022. I am passionate about enhancing stream systems through beaver relocation and beaver dam analog construction. The Wenatchee-Entiat Beaver Project works to reduce human-beaver conflict and build beaver dam analogs in Chelan and Douglas Counties. Through beaver-powered restoration the project is conserving and preserving important riparian habitat.

I really cherish the opportunity to engage with the local community and to provide a necessary service that not only helps landowners but also keeps more beavers on the landscape.

I enjoy project management through all phases but am particularly interested in guiding projects through the design and implementation phases. At home I enjoy time with my wife and two kids, and a host of outdoor activities from mountain biking to gardening.

Working in the Yakima Basin gives me hope that major water issues can be resolved through collaboration.

I manage projects and help other TU staff troubleshoot and the navigate complex issues required to get good restoration projects on the ground for Salmon Recovery. I started with Lisa Pelly at Washington Rivers in 2007, which merged with TU in 2009. I was working with Lisa Pelly to build a powerhouse restoration team in UC until 2019. In 2019, I moved to SEWA to build out the Lower Snake River Program in NE Oregon, SE Washington and Clearwater River in Idaho.

 I like most animals.

My work is dedicated to funding and implementing projects that restore salmon and trout habitats by removing fish barriers and improving degraded streams. Healthy streams and waterways are a benefit to all aquatic species and also for all who recreate in those spaces. My role at TU is fun and dynamic mix of science, construction, policy and made better through building partnerships throughout the Chehalis Basin.

I am happiest being in or around any type of natural body of water, freshwater or saltwater. Be it surfing, swimming, wading or fishing, water is the best!

I provide scientific support for the Wild Steelhead Initiative to ensure our advocacy is grounded in science, develop projects to support key data needs and work with fisheries managers and commissioners to ensure that policies and management actions are consistent with the latest science. I joined Trout Unlimited after 11 years with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, where I focused on evaluating hatchery reform implementation, hatchery and wild interactions, fisheries contributions and conducted research on the dynamics that influence steelhead growth, survival, and life history diversity.

 I am an avid angler, am deeply passionate about native trout have developed and manage the website Native Trout Fly Fishing.

As the coordinator for the Lake Sammamish Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership (UWRP), my role is to work closely with our partner organizations to help connect the diverse communities of the Lake Sammamish and greater Seattle Metro area with nature and inspire them to care for our shared watershed. The work is incredibly fulfilling as we reach new audiences, address barriers for participating in programming, and take hands on action to steward our lands and waters.

Engaging with community members of all ages and backgrounds gives me an opportunity to experience nature in new and exciting ways, and to share my passion for the outdoors. I came to my position as a transplant to the Puget Sound region after years of working on the north Oregon coast in environmental education, habitat restoration, and volunteer management. It’s been an incredible experience learning alongside our community members about the Lake Sammamish Watershed, kokanee salmon, and the work Trout Unlimited is doing.

I lead much of our policy and advocacy work for the Wild Steelhead Initiative here in Western Washington. Additionally, I manage the communications for Wild Steelheaders United, which is the outfacing brand of the WSI. Much of my work is focused on working for better management of steelhead with the WDFW. This includes working closely on the development, funding, and implementation of Puget Sound’s Quicksilver Portfolio (for steelhead management) and our most recent work to develop and draft a new management plan for Washington’s coast. Additionally, I cover our hydropower work in WA, working closely with the Hydropower Reform Coalition.

I previously worked for American Rivers on hydropower reform and river protection actions on the federal level. Additionally, I served in a volunteer role as the board chair for local fisheries conservation group. Having worked closely with TU/WSU in my previous positions, this position looked to be a great fit (and it is!)

Beyond fishing for steelhead, I love to just observe them as well. Whether that’s spawning or the rare chance I get to snorkel with them.

Lisa manages low-tech stream restoration projects in Chelan and Douglas Counties, including the Wenatchee-Entiat Beaver Project, which works to reduce human-beaver conflict and rewild streams through beaver relocation and building beaver dam analogs. Through beaver-powered restoration, the project is conserving and preserving important ecosystems and habitat.

Lisa was born and raised in the Wenatchee Valley where she developed a love of the outdoors at a young age. She started with the USFS in Chelan at the age of 18 while pursuing a degree in biology and economics. Over the course of her 18-year career, she has worked in the natural resource field in the public, private, and NGO sectors and has enjoyed everything from lichen research to grizzly bear surveys. She is most fulfilled when she can work to restore ecosystems, which led her to this role with Trout Unlimited.

Lisa is passionate about building community support for inclusive, innovative and integrated restoration approaches.