2021-22 WCC Crews

Each year, KCD hosts Washington Conservation Corps Crews to implement conservation projects across King County. Crewmembers deepen their understanding of native plants, restoration techniques, and stewardship best management practices through tending plants at KCD’s Native Plant Nursery and habitat improvement projects as well has doing the heavy lift of packing and distributing plants for KCD’s Native Plant Sale.

• Crew Lead: Ashley Baltrusitis

  This is Ashley’s first year as a WCC KCD Supervisor. She previously worked as a Project Environmental Coordinator for the Sound Transit Federal Way Link Extension Project. She received her degree in Environmental Science with an emphasis in Environmental Toxicology from Western Washington University. Ashley is thrilled to be back with the WCC, with the two terms she served as a member leaving a lasting impact. In her free time Ashley enjoys longboarding with her dog Koda and getting caught up on the latest information on prespawn mortality.

• Andrew Hansted

  Andrew recently graduated from Washington State University in 2021 with a degree in Plant Biology/Botany along with certification in Sustainable Agriculture. He hopes to gain the skills and experience necessary to pursue a career working with plants and the environment and is enjoying his time with fellow crew members killing invasives in the rain. Andrew enjoys biking, walking, other forms of cardio and spending quality time with loved ones.

• Maggie Chang

  Maggie graduated with a degree in biology from Whitman College in 2020. She enjoys hiking and keeping an eye out for any frogs, salamanders, and cool looking birds. Currently, she lives in Seattle with two cats – and would always be willing to whip out some pictures and videos of them if anybody asks. In fact, she will do this even when nobody asks. She loves how green and lush Washington is but wishes the rain would let up sometimes. Maggie hopes to one day have a career in conservation where she can join other hard working people to spread awareness and compassion for our natural environment. Her favorite thing about working with WCC is learning all about the native plants and being able to spend most days outside.

• Delaney Anderson

  Delaney relocated to the west side for her first year as a WCC crew member with KCD. Previously, she resided in her home town of Pasco, Washington where she worked to aid in the disposal of nuclear waste at the Hanford site. She graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Earth and Environmental Science with aspirations to spend as much time outdoors as possible serving the environment and finding balance with all its living creatures. Delaney strives to find balance in her personal life as much as in her work through her many hobbies; yoga, backpacking, mountain biking, skiing, birdwatching, baking, reading, and spending time with her bunny Sebastian. She is so thrilled to be working with the KCD, exploring new landscapes, meeting new people, and absorbing the wealth of knowledge this experience has to offer.

• Josh Fahey

  Josh Fahey comes from a small town near Sarasota Florida. Originally, he studied film in high school and early college before transitioning into the trade of pest control for nearly 4 years. After years of visiting Washington state, and developing a deep admiration of the natural beauty, he decided he wanted to move there and join the WCC, doing his part in maintaining the ecosystem that sustains it.

• Olivia Nicholson

  My name is Olivia and this is my first year with WCC! I grew up in Aberdeen and recently graduated from Western Washington University with a bachelors of Environmental Science. During school I spent 4 years working at a fishing charter out of Westport which expanded my knowledge of local fisheries. I am thrilled to now be working outside where I am surrounded by nature. My favorite outdoor activities include digging for razor clams, caring for my goats, and inundating my friends with plant facts.

• Crew Lead: Justin LeMay

  This is Justin’s third year as a WCC KCD Supervisor. Justin is passionate about being an Intersectional Environmentalist and teaching and mentoring others in restoration skills and techniques. He especially loves teaching others about planting his favorite tree Thuja plicata. Justin looks forward to having a great year with all the new members! In his free time Justin enjoys riding his motorcycle, bringing his dog Blakely to the nursery and reporting knotweed across King County.

• Gavin Skaar

  Hi, I’m Gavin! This is my second year working for the Washington Conservation Corps through KCD. I graduated from the University of Washington in 2020 with a BS in Environmental Science and Resource Management. I am incredibly excited to expand on my current knowledge of native plant species and the habitat they create. Outside of work I love to read, disc golf, and hang out with my cats.

• Daniel Hachet

  Howdy! My name is Daniel! It’s my second year as a WCC crew member with KCD. I’m excited to continue restoring riparian zones in King county. Before KCD I went to Pacific Lutheran University where I majored in Mathematics and Environmental Studies, with minors in Economics and Religion. At PLU I educated other students about sustainability. I also pushed for systemic changes such as using reusable dishes at all campus dining locations, and finding ways to recycle year-round. In the future I want to continue educating by mentoring other environmental stewards. In my free time I like to fix cars, play video games, watch anime and knit.

• Molly Bidwell

  I joined WCC to gain hands-on restoration work experience and meet others who share my love for nature. I moved to Seattle after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2020 with my B.S. in conservation biology and education studies. I’m most passionate about marine science and hope to apply the skills I learn this year to this field in the future.

• Abby Hill

  This is my first year with the Washington Conservation Corps and I’m excited to learn more about riparian restoration practices. I’m passionate about conservation work, as well as deconstructing the idea of “pristine wilderness” and challenging concepts of nature. After graduating Whitman College in 2020 with a B.A in Biology and Environmental Studies, I departed from Walla Walla (the place so nice they named it twice) towards the western side of the state. Over the past year I’ve worked at plant nurseries, building on my botanical knowledge and working on getting my foot in the door at an organization like KCD. Before that, I spent two dusty summers as an intern researching grassland ecology. In my spare time I love to sew, rock climb, and annoy my friends by giving them unsolicited plant facts.

• Fiona Nelis

  This is Fiona’s first year as a WCC Crew member. Originally from California, she moved up to Seattle after graduating with a B.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of California at Santa Cruz. She is looking forward to learning as much as possible about the Pacific Northwest and pursuing a master’s degree in the Seattle area. Fiona is very excited to be out in the field full-time, and working with a great team! When Fiona has free time she likes to read, run, dance and hang out with her cat, Fisher.