My name is Claire Sanders and I am the current Watershed Steward Corpsmember at the RCDSMM. I am originally from Portland, Oregon and obtained my undergraduate degree in biology and environmental studies from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida.
After graduation, I traveled to Sulawesi, Indonesia as a research assistant. Here, I climbed over prop roots and pneumatophores working to analyze structure and diversity within natural and restored mangrove forests. Following my research in Indonesia, I traveled and ate my way through Southeast Asia before landing in New Zealand. Over the course of a year there, I aimed my travels around food studies and food production, working at an apple orchard, dairy farm, and sustainable living farm. Having not quite kicked the travel bug, I headed to the deserts of the United Arab Emirates, working as a science instructor for two years. There, I brought school groups abroad to Sri Lanka, Oman and Georgia to explore the integration of culture, history and science.
I always knew I wanted to enter the field of environmental sciences. For a long time I believed becoming a “real” scientist meant fitting into one career path. At fifteen, that meant working in a lab and publishing scientific papers. In college, while taking courses on fisheries management and wildlife policy, the way to save the planet was through policy reform and legislature. Most recently, it focused on environmental education and outreach.
Conservation must be multi-faceted. It is now clear it requires the integration of avenues I had previously thought to isolate and focus on individually. While applying to be a Watershed Steward, it hit me that if accepted, I wouldn’t have to choose between PIT tagging or introducing students to the wonders of watersheds. This is, in essence what excites me most about WSP and the RCDSMM. The opportunity to become part of a team that bridges all aspects of successful conservation.
I am now halfway through my service year at the RCDSMM and I cannot express how much this position has taught me. Though the RCD’s team is small, it is mighty. Whether I am teaching a group of students about salmonids or snorkeling a creek to estimate their populations, I do so knowing I have powerful scientists, educators, and mentors cheering me on.
I truly cannot express how much the RCD team inspires me to continue working to protect our earth and empower others to do the same.