Weed Warriors Battle Alien Invaders!
Sound like a headline in a supermarket tabloid? Unfortunately, the slow, quiet spread of alien invaders is not a tabloid shocker, but a serious threat to the health of Idaho’s natural landscapes. The aliens in question aren’t little green men from outer space, but “little green plants” not native to Idaho. Each day, non-native plants spread across about 4,600 acres in the western United States!

Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), headquartered in Nampa, Idaho, was established to provide a refuge and breeding grounds for migratory birds and other wildlife. Unfortunately, the refuge’s wildlife habitat quality is reduced by many alien weeds, including 16 of the 36 officially-designated Idaho noxious weeds. Wildlife need a variety of different plants for food and cover. When non-native plants invade an area, they usually out-compete natives, leaving behind uniform stands of non-native plants that support fewer wildlife species.

Poison Hemlock Brother Alfred Brousseau @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

To help address the alien invader problem at Deer Flat NWR, refuge staff began a Weed Warriors (WW) program in March 2006. Because the refuge has only a few staff, the WW program was designed to be volunteer-led and volunteer-staffed. Refuge staff select each month’s targeted weed; train the WW coordinator in weed identification and volunteer safety; publicize the event through news releases to local media, reminders issued to the refuge volunteer corps, and ads in the quarterly refuge newsletter; and occasionally fill in for the WW coordinator. Volunteers do the rest! This program could be adopted where ever weeds pose a threat.

The WW coordinator organizes tools, provides a safety and weed orientation to the crew, and drives the crew to and from the weeding site. The rest of the crew grab shovels and work hard from 9-11 A.M. on the third Saturday of each month from March through October.

The program has had a few growing pains. It started slowly; no volunteers showed up during the first session, and only a few showed up during the next several months. In addition, the first WW coordinator quit part-way through the season for personal reasons, so the July WW session had to be cancelled as staff were unable to fill in. However, after a regular WW crew member volunteered to coordinate starting in August, the program has continued to run smoothly. By the end of the first season, though, the WW crew had grown to 13, and they had to make two trips to the dumpster to dispose of all of the bags of puncturevine collected by the crew.

Despite these few hiccups in the first season, 2006 WW crews did battle invasions of Scotch thistle, poison hemlock, and puncturevine. Refuge staff are delighted with the success of the program and were happy to see it re-start in March 2007, when 6 volunteers participated.                                                                                                 Return to top

Board Elections

In accordance with the bylaws of the Idaho Environmental Education Association, it is time for our annual election of directors. You can vote online at http://www.stoller-eser.com/ideea/election.asp* or download a ballot from that website and return it to Amy Pike. Vote for one person in each category.

Government Representative
Name: Victoria Runnoe
Organization/Affiliation: Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Position: Conservation Education Supervisor

Biography:
I was born and raised in Wisconsin and graduated from Lawrence University with a bachelor’s degree in biology. During my college career, I volunteered and interned at Mosquito Hill Nature Center where I discovered environmental education and interpretation. Following some graduate work at Duke University, I began working as a Naturalist for Oklahoma State Parks. In 1995, I moved to Idaho and worked at the Big Hole National Battlefield as a seasonal park ranger before being hired in 1997 as Regional Conservation Educator in Salmon for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. This past June, I was hired as the Conservation Education Supervisor for IDFG and moved to Boise.

I have a 10-year old daughter and an 8-year old son. We enjoy many outdoor activities together including birdwatching, hiking with our three border collies, gardening, and horseback riding.

What I Can Bring to IdEEA:
I have over twenty years of experience in the field of environmental education. During that time, I have worked for private non-profit groups, state agencies and the federal government. Each has given me a different perspective on the direction and implementation of environmental education programs. I believe that these experiences will help me work with the IdEEA Board to better focus and further the organization’s mission and the assistance it provides to its members.

While I worked in Oklahoma, I was an active member of NAI. The regional workshops that I attended were always excellent with good speakers and information that participants could take back with them and put to good use. I believe that these experiences will help me as a Board member to help insure that our organization’s workshops are informative and relevant for members. I would look forward to that opportunity.                                                     Return to top

At- Large
Name: Alana Jensen
Current Organization/Affiliation: S. M. Stoller Environmental Surveillance, Education, and Research Program (ESER)
Position: Environmental Educator

Biography:
I was born in Idaho and have lived in Washington and Nevada.  I moved back to Idaho in 1994 and am very happy to be here.  I have a BS degree from Idaho State University in Mass Communications.

S. M. Stoller has been the lead contractor for the Idaho National Laboratory’s ESER Program since November 2000. Since that time, I have been the Environmental Educator for the INL and have provided programs to communities in Southeastern Idaho that encourage appreciation of the native sagebrush steppe community and of science. I completed requirements for the Utah Certified Environmental Educator program in March 2006. I was Idaho Environmental Educator of the Year 2005, Informal Education.

What I can bring to the IdEEA Board:
I will bring to the board an enthusiasm for Idaho’s natural resources and a commitment to share that enthusiasm with others. I have worked alongside many Idaho environmental educators in the past and have learned much from this association. I believe that the greatest benefit IdEEA contributes to its members is the connection with other educators with the same interests, goals, and passion. I think much could be done to enhance this connection, not only at our Summit, but during the year as well. I have worked hard to receive certification as an environmental educator and felt that process was a valuable learning experience that augmented my field experiences as an educator. I would support developing a similar program in Idaho. I also have experience in website development and graphic design and would offer these services to IdEEA.                                  Return to top

Region 2
Name: Megan Johnson
Current Organization/Affiliation: USFWS - Dworshak National Fish Hatchery
Position: Information & Education Assistant

Biography:
I am originally from Minnesota, where I grew up canoeing, camping and learning about the outdoors. This background gave me a thirst for knowledge about my environment, and led me to pursue a degree in biology from Luther College. I spent my summers in college working at a YMCA camp, where I found my calling in environmental education. I moved from being a counselor into a position as the Resident Camp Naturalist, where I developed and led a variety of new nature programs for the campers. Building on that experience, I developed a curriculum and taught environmental education to youth in the Philippines, where I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer for two years at a small non-profit organization. My service there opened my eyes to the wide variety of opportunities in EE worldwide, and also to the profound impacts education can have on people. Upon my return to the U.S., I moved to Idaho to work with Dworshak National Fish Hatchery's education programs and visitor services. In my tenure here, I have worked with students from preschool to college, developing programs, activities and lesson plans about fisheries and watershed education. I have also prepared and facilitated teacher workshops, passing on the skills to use EE in their classrooms.

What I can bring to the IdEEA Board:
I have had a wide variety of experiences conducting environmental education in very diverse places and with diverse populations. look forward to being able to share these experiences with others in my field, and to learn from their experience and backgrounds. I am also interested in working on the professional development of environmental educators in Idaho, through training opportunities and through the Idaho Environmental Education Summit. I have worked at the Summit in the past, and have experience planning and coordinating other events and trainings. I also have experience researching potential funding sources and granting organizations. I am excited about the opportunity to use my talents to further and promote environmental education in Idaho, because I believe environmental literacy is a vital component of every child and adult's citizenship in this state.                         Return to top

Region 4
Name: Michael Breen
Current Organization/Affiliation: Carey School, Blaine County School District Environmental
Position: Teacher

Biography:
I was born in New York City area on August 9th, 1959. After graduating from college, I moved to Idaho in September of 1982. I have had an assortment of jobs and I began in my gardening and landscaping business, Earth Care, Approximately twenty years ago. In 1989 I returned to Boise State, where I earned my teacher certification for English and Social Studies, grades 6-12. I have taught English and World History for the last eleven years at Carey School; previously, I taught High School English at Richfield High School. Seven years ago, I started the Environmental Practice Committee to encourage our District to deal with recycling and to look at environmental concerns and possibilities. Two years ago, I voluntarily stepped down from the chairperson position after I was confident that the committee was in good hands.

What I can bring to the IdEEA Board:
Since becoming a schoolteacher, I have served on many committees. I feel that I am a person of compromise and also a leader on issues that I feel strong about. I feel that I have a good working relationship with many types of people and I am not divisive or confrontational. I feel that I know and understand the people, the landscapes, and the issues that face central Idaho, and I would be and excellent candidate for this Board. My students know, by my example that I care about the earth. Many years ago, while camping in the Sawtooths, I had an epiphany, which told me to “listen to the Earth.” I feel that by serving on this board, this would allow me to serve and help environmental education throughout our beautiful state.                                                                   Return to top
 

Region 6
Name: Laron R. Johnson
Current Organization/Affiliation: Rigby Junior High School/Jefferson School District #251
Position: Teacher

Biography:
I currently teach the subjects of World History, Decision Making, and Environmental Field Studies. Although I savor each subject I teach it is Environmental Field Studies that has created my dream teaching experience. For two of our three trimesters I am able to team-teach this subject by taking students on thirteen various excursions throughout Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming. In the last five years I have come to the simple reality that there is no better way to educate our youth today. I was named Jefferson School District/s Teacher of the Year for 2007. Although teaching is my first priority, I also serve as Social Studies Department Chair as well as sit on our Schools Improvement Team. When I am not teaching and fighting wildland fires, I spend the rest of my time ice fishing with my son, traveling extensively with my family, observing grizzly bears, and reading travel essays for future destinations.

What I can bring to the IdEEA Board:
I have worked extensively in Environmental Education. I am the founder and primary developer of Environmental Field Studies our school’s hallmark program that will reach its 100th field experience in May 2007. We are part of the Yellowstone Ecosystem’s EIC Network, which has given me a broader perspective on how our environment can be a primary learning tool for all disciplines. Even my recreational life revolves around the outdoors. I use every opportunity I get to educate my own children about being good stewards to our environment. Finally, I have six generations of heritage in the great State of Idaho. My family has been here since 1863, and I will do all I can to maintain Idaho’s health and welfare. I want a sustained landscape for all future generations.       Return to top

Region 6
Name: Jennifer Stadum
Current Organization/Affiliation: Jackson Hole Middle School
Position: Teacher, ESL

Biography:
Originally a native of California, I have now spent approximately half my life in Idaho. I earned my B.A. in Anthropology/Archaeology and received my pilot’s license at Idaho State University. I have an M.A. in Teaching and an ESL credential (CLAD) from John F. Kennedy University in Pleasant Hill, CA. Before I went to grad school , I lived in Kumi-Shi, South Korea for a year and taught English at a public girl’s middle school.
I have 10 years teaching experience. I worked as an Outdoor Education Counselor for two years and a Wildlife Education Teacher for three years. I designed environmental/ hands-on science for grades 3-8 for three years and have been a participant in Yellowstone Institute’s Expedition: Yellowstone for two years. Working with IdEEA, I helped bring Environment as an Integrating Context (EIC) to an Idaho School. I currently teach English as a second language at Jackson Hole Middle School. This ESL position is a marriage of all my wacky skill sets in the teaching category like multi-age, multiple subjects, self-contained, differentiated instruction and ESL.

When I’m not teaching, I am hanging out with my kitties (Maya and Lou) and keeping them from being eaten by Mango, my Green Cheeked Conure (a pint sized parrot). I also enjoy cooking, hiking, skiing, and reading.

What I can bring to the IdEEA Board:
I believe in the work of the Idaho Environmental Education Association. I have enthusiasm to recruit new members and get teachers more informed about IdEEA. I presented information about teaching water science at the 2007 Idaho Environmental Education Summit. As a place based educator, I know how hands-on learning motivates students and am willing to share my experiences with other teachers.                          Return to top