The Deschutes Land Trust is pleased to announce its 2026 cohort of Emerging Conservationists of Central Oregon (ECCO). The second annual ECCO cohort includes 25 individuals from throughout Central Oregon who bring a wide variety of skills, expertise, and passion for conservation to the Land Trust.
“The Land Trust recognizes the growing need for more leaders in our conservation community. We are so excited and proud to be working with this group of bright and talented emerging conservationists. We can’t wait to see what new ideas, perspectives, and energy they bring to the Land Trust," said Rika Ayotte, the Land Trust's Executive Director.
Emerging Conservationists of Central Oregon, or ECCO, is a Land Trust program that works to engage millennials and connect early- and mid-career professionals with opportunities for community leadership growth. ECCO members donate 10-15 hours of their time a year and serve for one year with an option to extend their service for an additional two years. Learn more.
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
Learn more:
- About the ECCO program.