by marijka haverhals, conservation projects manager
I can’t think of a better way to start off the new year than with a new job as the Conservation Projects Manager here at Palouse Land Trust. I am excited and honored to assist land owners on their journey of creating their legacy through conservation easements on their property in north-central Idaho and Whitman County. I have lived in the Moscow community for the past 14 years where I have been busy working at the University of Idaho and raising my two girls with my husband and our rescued furry family. I am thrilled to be able to represent the Palouse Land Trust and continue to grow with the organization, the employees, board and landowners.
My childhood was spent in Washington, D.C., where one of my earliest memories was gazing with wonder at the cathedral dome filled with the massive elephant at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. It was here where I began my journey learning about the natural world and instilling the value to give back some of what we take. I then moved across the country to the mountains of Missoula, Montana, for college where my knowledge deepened through my degree in Resource Conservation and minor in Wilderness Studies. After graduating, I landed a job at the Missoula County Weed District and Extension Office. I helped build a community program on integrated noxious weed management with the public, private landowners, and land managers from across the region and state.
When I moved to Moscow in 2008, I started working in the biocontrol lab at the University of Idaho and more recently on multiple grants with various faculty ranging from summer internship programs to sustainable dairy. Throughout my career over the last 20 years, what I have found most fulfilling is connecting with others, listening to everyone’s story, and helping to conserve our resources for future generations to enjoy.
My love and appreciation of wild places has deepened throughout my journey and I truly feel this opportunity at the Palouse Land Trust is a coming home to what I was born to do. I have big shoes to fill and am feverishly working on helping where I can and learning from the mentors that came before me. If our paths have not crossed already, I look forward to meeting you and hope I can be of service to everyone in our community and our partners for years to come.