While there’s never really a “slow” season here at the PLT World Headquarters, there is certainly a busy season, and we’re smack dab in the middle of it. We are thrilled to welcome Amelia Suksdorf to the team as Ecological Technician. Amelia is responsible for stewardship and care of the Dave Skinner Preserve and other special lands owned by PLT. Meet Amelia!

I am so excited to be part of the Palouse Land Trust team as an Ecological Technician! I love the Palouse and jumped at the opportunity to work with the Land Trust on its restoration and preservation.

I grew up in Spangle, WA on a seventh generation farm and ranch. My family manages a herd of roughly 30 Angus cattle and farms primarily wheat along with lentils, canola, garbanzos, and peas. I started my own herd when I was 10 and showed my first heifer, Marla. Her first calf, Little Marla, leads the herd and recently had her own heifer calf after years of only bull calves. I also help out on the farm, doing parts running, assisting in maintenance (usually by holding tools), and operating bankout wagon. Growing up so involved in agriculture gave me a strong appreciation for sustainable land use and management.

Currently, I attend U of I as a Rangeland Ecology and Management major, with a minor in Water Science and Management and a Restoration Certificate. During the school year, I work for Pitkin Forest Nursery and the U of I Center for Student Engagement. I’ve also worked for the Forest Service as a Range Technician and the Spokane Conservation District as a Seasonal Steward. Basically, I have a mixed bag of natural resources experience on the federal, university, and non-profit side. I hope to put all those skills to use here at the Land Trust.

I also have the opportunity to work with both PLT and the University to do research work. I was fortunate enough to receive the Adele Berklund Research Gran to look at the effectiveness of weed wands in Palouse Prairie landscapes. I’ll be doing my work on the Dave Skinner Ecological Preserve.