President: Cindy Haws
Career and Education
- B.S. Wildlife Ecology Southern Illinois University
- M.S. Education University of Portland
- 23 years with USDA, US Forest Service
- 7 years Secondary Education Science Teacher
- 3 Years Executive Director Umpqua Watersheds Inc.
- 1 Year President Umpqua Watersheds Inc.
- 13 Years Associate Professor Science Umpqua Community College
Professional certificates or licenses:
- Oregon Secondary Education Teaching License (now expired)
- Oregon Substitute Teaching License (current)
- Wildlife Habitat Management
- Endangered Species Management
- Leadership and Communications
- Conflict Management
- Geographic Information Systems
I am a wildlife biologist, natural resources professional, teacher, environmentalist and farmer. I am on the board of UNLSH particularly to support learning environmental science conservation values and principles and to help connect youth to nature.
I have worked in several natural resources positions over 45 years. My main employment was as a wildlife biologist for the U.S. Forest Service in Idaho and Oregon. However, I have worked in just about every type of forest position prior to my career in wildlife including fire, range, silviculture, recreation and engineering before I became a full time wildlife biologist. I was heavily involved in endangered species issues and was a designated specialist in this area including having been involved in the development of the Northwest Forest Plan a significant change in management of Oregon National Forests. After leaving the agency I became a science educator recognizing a major issue with lack of effectual science teachers in my rural community. I taught at local rural public schools and also worked for a nonprofit environmental organization as executive director and on their board before eventually forming Umpqua Natural Leadership Science Hub (UNLSH) with a cadre of concerned local citizens. I currently serve as the president of UNLSH and have been in this position since 2016.
Living in the Umpqua Basin has re-enforced my understanding and concern about keeping ecosystems intact and functioning for the health and well-being of future generations of people and wildlife. Further, I have experienced firsthand how youth and people in general need wildlands for their mental and physical health.
I would like UNLSH to connect youth with wildlands and help them see and desire their many values as wildlands including how they nourish communities. I would like youth and local citizens in general to know more about their ecosystems through sound science information and applications for better decision making at all ages. I believe that people who become connected in this way can ultimately bring a higher quality of life and sustainability to our currently impoverished rural communities.
Vice President: Jessica Saxton
Career and Education:
- B.S. Natural Resources Fish and Wildlife Conservation from Oregon State University- 2024
- Associate of Arts from Umpqua Community College-2023
- Graduated Roseburg High School-2015
- Served a term with UCAN AmeriCorps at Umpqua Watersheds
- 5 years Office Specialist for Oregon State Department of Human Services
- Volunteer for Umpqua Watersheds and UNLSH
- Volunteer and contracted work for social media, websites, and computers
I began volunteering with UNLSH when I took one of Cindy’s classes at Umpqua Community College while working towards my associate's degree. I am very interested in wetlands, wildlife, and educating future generations, and I have continued volunteering with UNLSH after receiving my degree.
Since joining the organization, I have volunteered with UNLSH in a few different capacities, mostly through surveying wetlands, outreach, and education. I recently accepted the position of Vice President with UNLSH and strive to achieve our mission. I have an associate's degree from Umpqua Community College and will receive my bachelor's of Natural Resources Fish and Wildlife Conservation at Oregon State University. I am an avid college student and will be seeking a master's degree, as well as a few certificates in future years. I have been employed with the State of Oregon for 5 years as an office specialist. I served with UCAN AmeriCorps at Umpqua Watersheds as the Environmental Education and Outreach Leader. The experiences I gained from serving with AmeriCorps were incredible, and I learned how much I enjoyed teaching youth about the environment. I look forward to working alongside the rest of the board, community, and youth in achieving our mission for the Umpqua.
I have lived in Oregon all of my life and love the beautiful landscape of the Pacific Northwest. I grew up on a ranch in Douglas County and was very interested in sustainable forest management and wildlife behavior/management from a young age. Those interests led me to a degree in natural resources and a desire to improve the way we view the environment. In my “free” time, I volunteer with local non-profits that are focused on restoration, conservation, and education of the environment.
I would like to see UNLSH continue to provide educational and outdoor learning opportunities for youth in the Umpqua. Connecting with the environment and our community can strengthen our understanding of the environment and lead to a healthier lifestyle. Exploring the outdoors and learning about different aspects of ecosystems can better prepare youth for future decision-making.
I enjoy exploring the outdoors, photography, reading, board games, gardening, and video games. I play simulation games, such as Stardew Valley, Sims, Animal Crossing, and Star Stables. If the weather is clear I spend it outside in the yard, mountains, or by the river.
Secretary: Viviana Young
Career and Education:
- AAOT from UCC
- Bachelor’s of Biology from OSU
- Worked for Umpqua Watersheds for an AmeriCorps term.
Professional certificates or licenses:
- GIS Certificate from UCC
I’ve been volunteering with UNLSH since 2017 when I met Cindy during my first term at UCC. I felt that the work UNLSH was doing was important and I continued to volunteer after college.
I now have the role of Board Secretary, in which I take meeting notes and keep those notes organized in the UNLSH Google account. My first experience with UNLSH happened when I had to do a project for my freshman year Biology class at UCC, and Cindy Haws helped my group and I by offering the opportunity for us to survey wetlands for amphibian egg masses. I discovered that this was an activity that was necessary on a continuous basis and so I began doing egg mass surveys as a volunteer. This was followed by helping with the summer science camp. My volunteer experiences with UNLSH have helped me not only make a difference for the ecosystem of the Umpqua, but also jump-started my career in natural resources, first as a member of the Umpqua Watersheds team, and soon to be an employee of the Forest Service!
I spent my childhood playing outside, climbing trees and flipping logs to find bugs during the day, and falling asleep to the sound of frog song at night. First, all the trees I used to climb were cut down and then the wetland that housed the chorus frogs was destroyed. It’s clear to me that interacting with nature is an important part of growing up and that if we do not actively protect nature, future generations will be deprived of it. We must protect the biodiversity of the
Umpqua, and that begins with taking a closer look at our values and understanding. Even pillbugs and frogs are small and unassuming creatures, but they hold together entire natural systems. All creatures, big and small, deserve to exist and thrive, and our kind deserve to feel the influence of nature in our lives.
I hope to see UNLSH build a connection between the people of the Umpqua and the natural world around them. This comes from hosting educational activities and protecting the environment from destruction.
In my free time, I like to play virtual pet-collecting games like Flight Rising, Lioden, and to a lesser degree PalWorld and Pokemon!
Treasurer: Diana Larson
Career and Education:
- Worked at Roseburg Forest Products 1975 - 1997
- Graduated Umpqua Community College 2001
- Graduated Douglas High School 1974
Professional certificates or licenses:
- AA Accounting
I am a 2nd generation SNOB (Society of Native Oregon Born) and raising a 3rd. My father taught us a love of the outdoors, the environment, and all living creatures. I feel that is extremely important to pass on.
A paragraph that summarizes your years of experience, career progression, accomplishments, and any responsibilities you have on the board.
I have been a volunteer for many different organizations beginning in 2001 after graduating from Umpqua Community College with an Associates Degree in accounting. I was on the founding board of Saving Grace Pet Adoption Center. I have been the Volunteer Treasurer for the Umpqua Valley Humane Society for approximately 20 years. I was the bookkeeper for Umpqua Watersheds.
I grew up in Douglas County and spent countless hours every summer enjoying the Umpqua. The things I remember most were the abundance of species that were in the river as well as on land. Most notably the lamprey. The South Umpqua used to be FULL of lamprey. Now they are all gone. Also, the black, orange, black wooly worms and the salamanders. I look forward to the
day when they thrive again. I live in the South Umpqua. It is so sad my children were not able to experience the abundance of nature that myself and my siblings were able to enjoy growing up. Too many children in today's world are missing so much, not only by not getting out to observe nature but also the fact that a lot of “nature” is no longer there to observe. I am grateful to UNLSH for doing their part to try to share knowledge of nature with as many children as possible.
I would like UNLSH to continue to educate the youth; and to pass on knowledge of mother nature and how important all creatures are. How there are detrimental consequences to the environment when humans inadvertently introduce nonnative species to the local waterways, ponds, and streams or remove much needed vegetation from around waterways.
Theodore (Ted) J. Romas
Career and Education:
- Relocated to Myrtle Creek, OR from Orange County, CA in 2021 after retiring from 15 years of service as both a Director of Security and Chief of Police in the California Community College system at Golden West College, Huntington Beach (1985-1990) and Irvine Valley College, Irvine, CA (1991-2001).
- Served 21 years active duty in the United States Air Force, 1963~1984, mostly in security and law enforcement, several worldwide assignments, retired in 1984.
- Currently volunteer with several local non-profit organizations (Chamber of Commerce, Myrtle Creek Elks Lodge, UNLSH).
Charter member of UNLSH, assisted with administrative/organizational requirements, i.e. non-profit status, by-laws, etc. Continuing Board member, participating in Bottle Drop collection/redemption but not actively involved in UNLSH projects.
I care about clean water and erosion control. I want to see UNLSH teach youth about the importance of environmental issues and provide educational experiences, i.e. field trips, workshops, and community projects for them to actively participate in.
Some “fun” things for me are zip lining, white water rafting and attending music concerts. Have planned and coordinated Myrtle Creek’s FREE Music in the Park Summer Concerts since 2007.
Morgan L. Hernandez
Career and Education:
- College, and Beauty college
- Salon, diner, food truck, furniture store owner
Professional certificates or licenses:
- License of cosmetology.
- ServSafe certificate holder
- Three different business licenses
I was asked by Cindy when she first started the group, it was beginning and we needed at least five board members. Owning the diner gave me the opportunity to network and promote.
I have experience in owning and running businesses. Also networking with other businesses. I had a salon for 7 years, a restaurant for 7 years, food truck for a year and now a furniture store for 2 years. This has given me the opportunity to work within the community. I collect bottles and can donations, monetary donations that goes towards Summer camps , stipend pay for volunteers etc plus advertising the UNLSH program.
I care about clean air and water and the nature that surrounds us. I would love to see more of the youth involved in the program, whether cleanup projects around town or in the rivers, creeks and streams.
I would love for it to be able to spread the word ,educate and bring South county's youth into nature, learn some skills and come back as productive human beings. Very important send them away to learn life skills to come back to our town and use them.
Being one of the kids that was overlooked in school and got into trouble. I feel it the UNLSH program is very good for finding the ones that fall through the cracks and help redirect with a purpose.
Summer Radon
Career and Education:
- Umpqua Community College, AAOT 2009
- Eastern Oregon University, BS Integrative Studies, minors in Business Administration and Interdisciplinary Writing and Rhetoric 2017
I am fortunate to have been around since the early discussions of what has become the Umpqua Natural Leadership Science Hub. After the passing of a dear member and cornerstone of this group, I joined the board in 2018 to fill a supportive role.
My duties and contributions to the board are different today than they were yesteryear as I now own and manage a restaurant. In the past, I helped to coordinate our annual youth science camp, develop partnerships with Friends of Myrtle Creek Library and Cow Creek Tribe youth programming, and began our current website umpquascience.org.
Living in the beautiful Umpqua valleys most of my life has been such a blessing. However, our communities are not immune to the issues that are afflicting America. Due to various factors, our society is hurting, and we see the results plainly: addiction, mental health decline, and loneliness are some examples. One major cause of these outcomes is a disconnect between people and a disconnect between communities and the land.
Often, we waste a lot of our time on screens, neglecting to be present with one another. We take our online life too seriously and forget to step outside and be calmed by the elements. Technology poses great rewards, but also unprecedented struggles for these generations. UNLSH offers an alternative to this by providing opportunities for all ages to learn about stewardship and conservation, and to connect with other learners in our great outdoors.