Invasive Species Program

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.

Olivia was born and raised right here in Washington County, OR. Having grown up exploring the Willamette Valley by bike, boat, and boot, she has a deep fondness for the abundant resources the land provides. As an Invasive Species Technician, she uses data and technology to protect Washington County’s natural resources from harmful weeds and pests. After studying environmental science, biology, and geography at the University of Oregon, Olivia gained on the ground experience in habitat restoration and invasive species management with several conservation groups. Her time working in the McKenzie River watershed and the Mohawk River watershed has helped her succeed in her current position. She protects the Tualatin River watershed by monitoring and treating Early Detection & Rapid Response species while educating residents on how to identify and report them. When she takes a break from the war against the weeds, she can be found tending to her garden and spending time with her partner and furry family.

Tyler is a poet, photographer, nature enthusiast, and runner from Helena, Montana, who leads the Invasive Species Program. He coordinates with landowners, governments, and contractors to control harmful weeds and educates communities on invasive species within the Tualatin River watershed.

As an ecologist, Tyler has performed a variety of field work including tracking endangered and threatened reptiles in Illinois, surveying mammals and building trails in Montana, and studying trees in Wyoming and Colorado. Following his biology studies at the University of Montana, he served two terms in the AmeriCorps Program and spent eight years working for watershed councils across Oregon. Through his non-profit work, he fundraised, managed restoration projects, collected and analyzed data, and mapped invasive plants in efforts to control their spread.

Tyler lives with his wife and daughter and two pets in Hillsboro, Oregon.