The Emerging Conservationists of Central Oregon (ECCO) provides early- to mid-career millennials the opportunity to learn more about local conservation and climate action efforts, connect other millennials to conservation work, and grow their community leadership skills.

The purpose of ECCO is to:

• Provide emerging community leaders (ages 28-45) the opportunity to learn more about local conservation and climate action efforts;
• Help ensure that the Land Trust’s work remains relevant and meaningful for future generations;
• Work with other group members to plan engagement opportunities for other millennials to connect to the Land Trust's mission and work;
• Offer nonprofit leadership experience within the Central Oregon community.

2026 ECCO Cohort

Liz Crandall, Environmental activist
Jeannie D’Agostino, Naturalist Guide and Office Manager at Wanderlust Tours
Laura Fitzgerald, Training and Recruitment Coordinator at CASA of Central Oregon
Adam Foster, Co-Owner at Hush Hush Coffee
Dante Francomano, Environmental scientist and strategy consultant
Kimi Guerra, Student at OSU and personal pet sitter
Michelle Guitard, Scientist
Alex Hardison, Communications Manager at Central Oregon Landwatch
Nick Maithonis, Native and invasive species plant management
Veronica Malby, Parent
Madison Montgomery, Grant Writer at the High Desert Museum
Justin Nelson, Sustainability Consultant at Cascade Sustainability Consulting
Grace Ogawa, Independent Author-Illustrator at Heliopause Productions and Facility Shift Lead/Lifeguard Lead at Bend Parks and Recreation District
Mary Pantenburg, Marketing Manager at The Environmental Center
Amy Paul, Independent contractor
Kaylin Preston, Program Associate, Scholarships at Oregon Community Foundation
Parker Randels, Lead of Customer Success at Stellar Health
Ben Rubin, Renewable Energy Engineering at Ameresco
Naomi Serio, Rethink Waste Program Coordinator at The Environmental Center
Alison Shane, Oregon Project Manager at Trust for Public Land
Fenix Van Tassel, Senior Environmental Planner at Environmental Science Associates (ESA)
Alice Weston, Community Organizer at Sierra Club Oregon
Kelly Whitehair, Permit Technician at the Deschutes County Community Development Department
Jen Winkler, Human Resources Business Partner at St. Charles
Jess Wulzen, Data scientist

Applications for the 2026 cohort are now closed. Sign up to get notified when the next cohort's application period opens.

Learn more:

• About the ECCO program.
• Contact Jana Hemphill, ECCO program manager, with questions.