Welcome to Claire Marvet! Our ESLT team is thrilled that Claire has joined us as our 2021/2022 Education Coordinator & AmeriCorps Member.
Claire comes to us through the Sierra Nevada Alliance’s Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership (SNAP)—a selective program that places young leaders with conservation agencies and organizations throughout the Sierra Nevada each year. SNAP members have been working with ESLT ever since the SNAP program began in 2009. By focusing on education, volunteer support, and land restoration, our SNAP members play a critical role in connecting our community to the conservation work made possible thanks to supporters like you.
Claire began an 11-month service term in mid-November, and will be with us through September 2022.
To help you get to know Claire better, we asked her a few questions about her background and interests:
Tell me about your roots!
I was born in Florida, and I grew up in the Chicago area. I was lucky enough to spend a lot of my childhood exploring the Midwestern forests, prairies, and rivers with my parents and my little sister. My family often went camping and canoeing, and my dad took me to programs like the reptile show in Chicago. It’s no wonder that I fell in love with the outdoors and wildlife at an early age. I loved animals so much that I volunteered at a wild bird rehabilitation center in middle school and high school.
I graduated from the University of Washington Seattle campus in 2018 with a BS in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology. Since then, I have worked in field ecology, habitat restoration, and trail work. My jobs took me from Washington to Minnesota, Oregon, Idaho, and most recently New Mexico. In addition to removing a lot of invasive blackberry and other weeds, I have studied greater sage-grouse, black bears, raptors, white-tailed deer, and some of the native plants in their habitats.
What brought you to the Eastern Sierra?
In 2019, I came to the Eastern Sierra on a road trip after finishing one of my field positions. I had a great time rock climbing and decided to stay and work for one of the ski areas. That winter, I fell in love with the incredible beauty and amazing community of the region.
What makes you most excited about living in the Eastern Sierra?
The landscapes and outdoor recreation opportunities in the Eastern Sierra are incredible. Having worked in ecology-focused roles in the past, I am also eager to learn more about the unique wildlife and plants of the Eastern Sierra.
What do you look forward to most about working with ESLT in the months to come?
Something that drew me to this role was the opportunity to improve upon my teaching and communication skills, while helping other people connect with the natural world. I am also thrilled to be working with such a community driven organization. One of my favorite things about the Eastern Sierra is the people, and I am looking forward to learning much more about all of the communities in the area.
What activities do you enjoy outside of work?
I love to snowboard, hike, rock climb and relax with a good book. I like trying new things and being active, so I have been learning to ski and skateboard recently.
If you see Claire on the trails this year (or in your kids’ Zoom classroom!), please say hello and welcome her to the Eastside!
