Invasive Species Technician
(503) 858-8537
Eli’s fondness for exploration and conservation brought him to Washington County, OR to protect our natural resources and the Tualatin River watershed from invasive plants. Before joining Tualatin SWCD, Eli worked in Vancouver, Washington with Clark Public Utilities as an AmeriCorps service member and later as an Invasive Species Technician. Eli’s AmeriCorps service immediately followed his graduation from The Evergreen State College. In school, he studied ethnobotanyThe study of how people of a shared culture and region make use of native plants. and forest ecology and had the opportunity to perform field studies in India. While in India, Eli collected samples for landscape biodiversityBiodiversity The variety of species present. and interviewed farmers about the impact development has on their traditional agricultural practices. Eli uses this experience to map plant populations, engage with the community, and support our county’s valuable natural resources.
When not working, Eli likes to travel Oregon and Washington to rock climb.
While at home, he enjoys drinking coffee with his partner, playing with their cat, and tending to their house plants and bonsai trees.