Environmental nonprofit welcomes new members Jessica Black, Elaine Harvey, Ana Molina, and Vawter “Buck” Parker
Columbia Riverkeeper’s board of directors announced the appointment of four new members: Jessica L. Black, Elaine Harvey, Ana Molina, and Vawter “Buck” Parker. Columbia Riverkeeper is a nonprofit organization with over 16,000 members and supporters that works to protect the water quality of the Columbia River and all life connected to it, from the headwaters to the Pacific Ocean. The volunteer board of directors oversees the organization’s goals and policies, finances, and public relations.
“We thank these four individuals for joining the board of directors and for the work they’ve put in for our region. Now, we have the opportunity to learn from them and see what amazing things we can accomplish for Columbia Riverkeeper,” said Board President Emily Washines (Yakama).
“Columbia Riverkeeper works with people in dozens of communities—from rural to urban—who have the same goal of protecting clean water, fish, wildlife, and the places they love. Our new board members reflect the diversity of the communities we work in and bring decades of combined expertise to advance critical work for the Columbia and everyone who relies on it,” said Lauren Goldberg, executive director for Columbia Riverkeeper.
Columbia Riverkeeper’s new board members shared their inspiration for volunteering to lead the organization as it tackles some of the region’s most pressing environmental and climate justice issues:
Jessica L. Black, Ph.D. is a Professor of Environmental Science and Studies and the Director of the Center for Indigenous Health, Culture & the Environment at Heritage University, located on the ancestral lands of the Yakama Nation in rural, South-Central Washington State. “Columbia Riverkeeper exemplifies for me the power of grassroots environmental stewardship. Their unwavering commitment to education and outreach builds bridges between communities, while their collaborative approach brings together diverse stakeholders to protect our precious Columbia River ecosystem. It is an honor to join this organization,” said Black.
Elaine Harvey, Wanuxni’ is a Yakama tribal citizen who works for the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission as the Watershed Department Manager. “The N’chi Wana, Columbia River, is within our ancestral homelands and I have supported the very important mission of the Columbia Riverkeeper’s organization to protect the river. Columbia Riverkeeper also supports the tribes and their tribal sovereignty as it relates to river protection and restoring salmon populations. The N’chi Wana is the main lifeline of the region and it is essential that we all work to be the best stewards of the land and rivers for all future generations,” said Harvey.
Ana Molina is the Advocacy and Systems Director at the Oregon Just Transition Alliance, based in Portland. “I have advocated and organized on why it is important for communities who are most impacted by environmental injustice to be at the decision making tables, speaking for themselves, leading the work, and creating opportunities for leadership development. My experience inspired me to join the Columbia Riverkeeper board, which has a strong track record for working with community members to protect people’s health and the Columbia,” said Molina.
Vawter “Buck” Parker spent almost his entire career in environmental protection, including 37 years with Earthjustice and 10 as its CEO. “I’ve known and admired the work of Columbia Riverkeeper since I first learned of the organization over 20 years ago. No other organization works to protect the entire Columbia and Snake river watershed and its communities, and I feel fortunate to join a group of such bright, committed and effective environmental advocates,” said Parker.
The new members join board members Carlos Marroquin (Portland, Ore.), Alanna Nanegos (Umatilla County, Ore.), Rudy Salakory (Vancouver, Wash.), David Spurr (Portland, Ore.), Emily Washines (Toppenish, Wash.), and Ted Wolf (Bellingham, Wash.), and Sue Vosburg (Gales Creek, Ore.) in overseeing the nonprofit.
About Columbia Riverkeeper’s New Board Members
Jessica L. Black, Ph.D. is a Professor of Environmental Science and Studies and the Director of the Center for Indigenous Health, Culture & the Environment at Heritage University, located on the ancestral lands of the Yakama Nation in rural, South-Central Washington State. Dr. Black is Mexican American and earned her PhD in Geological Sciences from the University of Colorado. In her professional career, she has focused her efforts on the overall goal of supporting diverse undergraduate students in STEM to completion of their degrees, ultimately diversifying the professoriate and strengthening rural and Tribal communities with skilled Hispanic and Indigenous candidates. In her international programs, she works to promote sustainable, culturally vibrant communities, building global partnerships to empower Indigenous peoples in Latin America.
Elaine Harvey, Wanuxni’ is a Yakama tribal citizen who works for the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission as the Watershed Department Manager. She has nearly 22 years of experience working in the Fisheries as a fish biologist, hydro systems oversight coordinator, environmental coordinator, and now watershed department manager. She dedicates her career to protecting First Foods and medicines for future generations which include salmon, steelhead, pacific lamprey, and many other aquatic species. Elaine brings an Indigenous perspective and Traditional Ecological Knowledge to her daily work and the many collaborative groups she is associated with.
Ana Molina is the Advocacy and Systems Director at the Oregon Just Transition Alliance, based in Portland. She previously served as the Field Manager at Columbia Riverkeeper, championing environmental and climate justice by prioritizing the voices of those most affected. Before that, she was the statewide environmental justice projects manager for Beyond Toxics, where she focused on advocacy and community organizing. A board member of Seeding Justice, Ana graduated from Humboldt State University in Arcata, California, where she organized for undocumented students, driven by her passion for environmental and community resilience.
Vawter “Buck” Parker has spent almost his entire career in environmental protection, including 37 years with Earthjustice and 10 as its CEO. Buck was instrumental in opening Earthjustice offices around the country and establishing its international program. In the mid-1990s he worked with environmental lawyers in Latin America to found the Asociación Interamericana para la Defensa del Ambiente, an organization of public interest law groups dedicated to expanding the use of citizen enforcement to address international environmental issues within the Western Hemisphere. During his 10 years as executive director he greatly expanded Earthjustice’s legislative and communications staff and led the organization during the critical years of the administration of President George W. Bush. Through 2016 he continued his work with the organization on Arctic issues and especially on offshore drilling. Buck currently serves on the boards of Earthjustice, Pacific Environment, and Columbia Insight.