Tayson Sargis

Ecological Technician

Tayson was born and raised in Southern Idaho. He grew up working at his family’s fifth-generation architectural supply and custom millwork and cabinet shop. Growing up around seeing raw wood products constructed into works of art made him more curious about the inner workings of the forests all so revered. This initial curiosity turned to fiery passion as he came to terms with the degraded state of much of the Wests’ public lands and cherished spaces.

In 2021, Tayson moved to Moscow in pursuit of a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Idaho. While attending UI, he banded with a small group of colleagues to form the Society for Ecological Restoration UI Chapter. This small but passionate group was able to host stream clean ups, practice ecological restoration, and build lasting ties to the conservation community. In his senior year, Tayson worked as a riparian restoration technician for Palouse Clearwater Environmental Institute, where he learned the ins and outs of project management and plant ID. While with PCEI, Tayson contributed to seven voluntary stream restoration projects through leading volunteer planting events, coordinating materials, and installing low-tech dam analogs to mimic beaver behavior.

Prior to joining the Palouse Land Trust, Tayson worked on a 120-acre Palouse prairie reconstruct project. During that time, he learned about the intricacies of herbicide, phenological dynamics of the region, and further honed his plant ID skills.  

Tayson’s free time is often spent recreating outside, gardening, reading, and hanging out with his big orange cat, Eddie.