Jackie is an experienced project manager, museum curator, botanist, educator, and environmental scientist with expertise in the Seeds of Success protocol and native plant biology in the American Southwest. She is an accomplished scientist and fundraiser who has built international collaborations with diverse colleagues to complete complex studies and projects. Jackie is skilled in using her deep understanding of scientific study design, inference, and communication skills to translate intricate topics to the general public, legislators, and other stakeholders.

Sherry has been with Partners since 2015. She joined us with more than 20 years of experience in administration, bookkeeping, and managing office operations, primarily in public schools.  

Sherry has lived most of her life in the small town of Monticello, Utah, at the base of the Abajo Mountains and at the center of the Colorado Plateau. Her family has lived in the Four Corners area for nearly 100 years. During her free time, she enjoys gardening, hiking, cool mountain air, and any kind of adventure with her family.

Growing up in Western New York, Jason spent countless time hiking, backpacking, and paddling the Finger Lakes and Adirondack regions. More recently, he has enjoyed exploring over 25 National Parks including the “Mighty Five”, where his fascination with Utah’s landscape and biodiversity blossomed.

Jason received an MS in Strategic Leadership from Roberts Wesleyan University, where he spent the last five years fostering relationships and generosity at his alma mater. Gaining this experience, he was eager to intertwine his fundraising and communication skills with his passion for the environment and public land.

When not building relationships with our supporters, Jason can be found cycling, trail running, and backpacking throughout Utah.

Kaitlin was born and raised in the big sky country of Montana, where she also attended college studying Natural Resource Conservation. She grew up spending vacations with her parents exploring the canyon country of the desert southwest.

Upon receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of Montana, Kaitlin quickly moved south. She spent the last six years working throughout Utah conducting extensive aquatic sampling and monitoring, while also developing ways to better present and use data for public land management. She is excited to find ways to help educate and involve everyone in protecting the Grand Staircase.

Whether exploring the Rocky Mountains or navigating the deep canyons of Southern Utah, Kaitlin’s passion lies in protecting and appreciating our public lands.

Kevin Berend is an environmental scientist from Rochester, New York. He received his MS in Environmental Science & Ecology from SUNY Brockport, where he studied alpine snowbank communities on Mt. Washington, New Hampshire. His work has taken him to the Adirondacks, the Appalachian Trail, northwestern Colorado, and back to western NY, where he has experience with grassland birds, aquatic invasive species, and wetland delineation. In his spare time, Kevin writes about science and nature and enjoys hiking, cycling, and playing guitar.

Alex received a civil engineering degree from UW-Milwaukee in 2011, but couldn’t handle the thought of being stuck behind a desk for the rest of his life.

Instead, he joined a conservation corps so that he could work outdoors. Alex first came to Escalante in 2013 with Arizona Conservation Corps to treat Russian olive with ERWP.

He is very happy to be working in such a beautiful country.

Kristen was born and raised in the southwest, attending college in Arizona, where she found a love of life sciences and majored in Human Development. Adventure was calling and she decided to spend 2 years in Africa where she served for the Peace Corps as a Community Health Educator and learned about the dynamics of people and their environment. She quickly found an interest in education and upon her return to the United States, she began teaching which ultimately led her to her passion in outdoor education and conservation.

Adrian was born in Missouri, but grew up in Wisconsin. He graduated from University of Wisconsin – Green Bay in 2015 with degrees in Spanish and Democracy & Justice Studies.  Since then, he has worked all over the United States in the private, public, and social sectors. He has lived in Escalante seasonally since 2021. Adrian speaks 3 languages, has dual-citizenship, and is the only person in the country with his full name. He’s proud of his service to land and community.