The Land Trust is eternally thankful to the many volunteers who donate their time and expertise to lead our walks, hikes and tours. These dedicated individuals have backgrounds as educators, scientists, and historians and they have wonderful stories and knowledge to share about our conserved lands. Learn more about each leader below:

Jim Anderson. Photo: JW Visuals.

Jim Anderson has lived in Central Oregon since 1951. His long and illustrious history includes time fighting forest fires, preparing studies for ODFW (on bats, eagles, hawks, owls, cormorants, and osprey), working as a naturalist for the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) in Portland, and director of the Children’s Zoo and Conservation and Education (now the Oregon Zoo). The author of “Tales from a Northwest Naturalist” and a nature columnist for the Sisters Nugget Newspaper and The Source of Bend, Jim leads walks for the Land Trust on a variety of subjects.

Sue Anderson. Submitted photo.

Sue Anderson has been involved with just about every natural history happening in Central Oregon for many years. She specializes in butterflies and has been conducting the Ochoco and Metolius annual counts for 21 years. She also has done butterfly inventories for several regional National Monuments. She is happiest when in the field introducing adults and children to nature’s art on the wing and using her macro camera lens.

Mary Crow. Photo: JW Visuals.

Mary Crow has been hiking and skiing the the Cascades throughout her life. After retiring as a school librarian, she wanted these magnificent mountains to continue to be a central part of her life. She moved to Sisters in 2002 in order to pursue her passions: skiing, hiking, birding,and gardening. Taking care of this land, and helping people understand why it's so important to be good stewards of their environment is now Mary's primary focus. The Land Trust's mission of preserving and caring for the land became a perfect fit for her. Mary leads a variety of Land Trust walks and hikes.

Paul Edgerton. Photo: JW Visuals.

Paul Edgerton's life-long fascination with plants and animals and their interactions led him to pursue a long career with the Pacific Northwest Research Station, US Forest Service.  He spent many years as a research wildlife ecologist in eastern Oregon and later directed Forest Ecology research in eastern Washington and the North Cascades. He completed his professional career in the eastern US where he was involved in developing strategies for understanding and maintaining biological diversity across public and private landscapes. Prior to moving to Sisters in 2002, he volunteered as an ecologist and Master Gardener in the San Juan Islands. Paul leads tours on plants, forests, and general ecology.

Norma Funai. Photo: JW Visuals.

Norma Funai was an elementary school teacher in California for 25 years before retiring to Sisters in 1993.  She was a school group docent for the High Desert Museum for six years before starting to lead tours for the Land Trust in 2000. Her avocation is birdwatching and she has been a member of National Audubon Society for 35 years. Norma leads bird walks and walks for children, but she always manages to get in a little botany, ecology, and history in on the way!

Jim Hammond. Photo: Jim Hammond.

Jim Hammond moved to central Oregon in 2004 and has since been involved with the Land Trust as a volunteer and supporter. Participating in star parties at the Sisters High School, Jim has joined other amateur astronomers in providing opportunities for the community to learn about the night sky and the wonders of our galaxy and solar system. Jim is a retired physicist and has been interested in astronomy since he watched, at a very young age, his father build a telescope. Jim leads the Land Trust's star parties which currently take place at Rimrock Ranch--a private ranch with dark skies and open views in all directions.

Kim McCarrel. Photo: Kim McCarrel.

Kim McCarrel is an avid horseback rider and author of the books Riding Central Oregon Horse Trails and Oregon Trails and Horse Camps.  She is a member of the Deschutes Land Trust Board of Directors and leads horseback rides for the Land Trust. Kim has been riding the trails in Skyline Forest for years, and can lead you to some of the best destinations in this truly special place. 

Leslie Olson. Photo: Land Trust.

Leslie Olson has lived in Bend for more than 30 years, spending the last seven as a leader for Bend Parks and Recreation. All of that face time with flowers and birds has stimulated her ongoing enjoyment of all things natural.

Al St. John. Photo: Land Trust.

Al St. John is a naturalist, photographer, and author of several books including Oregon's Dry Side: Exploring East of the Cascade Crest and Reptiles of the Northwest. He can be found turning over rocks and logs in search of frogs, lizards, snakes, and other critters at Land Trust Preserves.

Carol Wall. Photo: JW Visuals.

Carol Wall is an anthropologist who taught cultural anthropology and linguistics for many years at the University of California, Davis where she was a professor as well as a dean and vice chancellor.  Today she enjoys retirement thoroughly, traveling widely, spending time in the outdoors, and continuing a 30 year hobby of bird watching. She loves spending time wandering Land Trust Preserves and can be found leading a variety of walks and hikes.