FOR JOINING US AT THANK YOU

On May 5, more than 250 people gathered at the Burke Museum on the University of Washington campus to celebrate and support Washington Conservation Action’s work. Partygoers sampled delicious hors d’oeuvres catered by Off the Rez and wandered the galleries of the state’s oldest museum, taking in the world class natural history and Indigenous art collections. Featured speaker Frank Brown, a member of the Hieltsuk nation in Bella Bella, Canada, gave a rousing presentation. Brown described Native stewardship of nature and communities in Canada, where he has been instrumental in both cultural efforts like reviving traditional canoe journeys and economic initiatives such as carbon pricing. Washington Conservation Action CEO Alyssa Macy spoke about our recent rebranding and how, going forward, we will work left: Bloom 2023 featured speaker, Frank Brown. Frank is a member of the Heiltsuk Nation of Bella Bella in Canada. Frank’s Hereditary Chiefs-Yíḿ ás name is λáλíyá sila (glagliyasila) meaning “preparing for the largest potlatch.” opposite, clockwise from top:

Kady Titus, WCA’s Native Vote WA Senior Organizer

Alyssa Macy, CEO of Washington Conservation Action

Heather Millar, WCA’s Content Manager and daughter Erin

(l to r) Halleli Zacher, WCA’s Events & Outreach Associate; Tina Montgomery, WCA’s Business Relations & Events Manager

Jody Olney, WCA’s Tribal Government Liaison pictured with her family

Caitlin Krenn, WCA’s Climate & Clean Energy Campaign Manager pictured with WCA supporter

(l to r) Christina Billingsley, WCA Board Member; Sean Pender, WCA’s Vice President of Administration; and Ilays Aden, WCA Board Member below (l to r): Caroline Traube, WCA Education Fund Board Member; Josh Friedmann WCA Board Member; spouse of Joan Crooks; former CEO Joan Crooks; and, Zachary Pullin, WCA’s Communications Director

Katie Byrnes (she/her) Toxics and Stormwater Policy Manager

Katie’s work centers on advancing equitable environmental policies that reduce toxics and stormwater impacts on water, wildlife, and people. Her previous work as a Sea Grant Fellow at the Port of Seattle focused on development and implementation of nearshore habitat restoration and enhancement programs in the Duwamish River and Elliott Bay. She holds a master’s degree in Marine and Environmental Affairs and a Graduate Certificate in Climate Science from the University of Washington as well as a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Western Washington University. Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest, she feels lucky to work at the intersection of science and environmental justice to build strong policy in Washington. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, yoga, traveling, and spending time with her nieces and nephews.

Heidi Cody (she/her)

SW Washington Community Organizer

ACE Coalition Manager

Heidi has been a climate activist since 2016 and working with Alliance for Community Engagement Southwest Washington (ACE) in Vancouver since 2018. ACE is a coalition of 14 climate and social justice organizations that advocates for strong, equitable climate policy in SWWA. In 2022 the ACE coalition got Vancouver City Council to unanimously pass an ordinance against new and expanded bulk fossil fuel infrastructure, and to unanimously adopt an ambitious Climate Action Framework aiming for city-wide carbon-neutrality by 2040. Heidi is also an art activist and is the founder of Climate Toothpaste. She lives with her 10 year old daughter and enjoys hip-hop dance, reading science fiction and spending time with friends.

Mikayla Flores (she/her)

Native Vote Washington Digital Field Organizer

Mikayla is an enrolled member of the Puyallup Tribe and of Mexican descent. She attended the University of Washington-Tacoma, where she studied Communications. She has worked at the Puyallup Tribal Court as a Court Clerk. As well as at the Puyallup Tribe of Indians Communications Department as a Communications Coordinator. Mikayla is also the Communications Coordinator for Seattle-based nonprofit, Native Action Network. In her spare time, she is a volunteer cheer coach with the Puyallup Jr. Vikings Football & Cheer program and the assistant high school cheer coach at Chief Leschi Schools. She is the mother of three children and one bonus child.

Robinson Low (he/him)

Habitat Policy Manager

Prior to joining Washington Conservation Action, Robinson worked as an ecological restoration technician helping to protect and restore greenspaces in the greater King County region. Robinson holds a Bachelor of Science from Huxley College of the Environment at Western Washington University and a Master of Marine and Environmental Affairs from the University of Washington. His graduate research focused on expert perspectives on stormwater solutions for the Puget Sound region. He believes urban water solutions that involve nature and the services they provide are important to emphasize for the benefit of salmon, human wellbeing, and overall water quality. Outside the office, Robinson enjoys camping and reading in the park with his partner, golfing, snowboarding, and playing board games with friends.

Ellie Morgan (she/her) Washington Conservation Action Education Fund Administrative Associate

Ellie has always been passionate about the environment and connecting people to nature. She believes it is of the utmost importance to understand environmental justice and to create equitable solutions for our communities. Ellie graduated from the University of Washington’s College of Built Environments with a B.A. in Community, Environment and Planning as well as a Minor in Environmental Science and Resource Management. Her experience involves but is not limited to project coordination, full-cycle recruitment, HR operations, conservation management, and non-profit leadership. She plans to build a career within sustainability that is rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Ellie spends her free time camping, reading, gardening, hiking, cooking, and playing soccer with her friends.

Mariah Morr (she/her) Salesforce Admin & Data Manager

Mariah has always felt at home in nature. Growing up in Washington, Mariah has been surrounded by lush green forests, rivers, mountains, and lakes that she cares for deeply. Mariah’s curiosity about culture and the natural world led her to complete her BA in Anthropology from Washington State University. After graduating, Mariah felt inspired to pursue mission-driven nonprofit work and worked in Communications and Development. She’s excited to be joining Washington Conservation Action and looks forward to using technology to help better serve the organization’s mission.

When away from Zoom, Mariah loves being outside as much as possible. She can be found gardening in her wildlife habitat-friendly garden with her cat, trail running, hiking with her two dogs, climbing, camping, and exploring the Northwest with her husband.

Bryan Pelach (he/him) State Forestlands Program Manager

“Environmental problems are social problems” this often-trivialized concept has been the lodestar of Bryan’s work in restoration and conservation. Beginning his career in fisheries enforcement, Bryan has worked on restoration projects and policy planning in coastal, riparian, and upland areas throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Prior to joining Washington Conservation Action, Bryan was a researcher with the Olympic Natural Resources Center engaging stakeholders and co-managers in collaborative forest planning to improve critical ecosystem services and access to culturally significant species. Bryan completed his masters and PhD work in Environmental Policy from the University of Washington’s College of the Environment. In his free time Bryan enjoys hiking in the Olympics, playing with his dogs at the beach, and working in his yard.

Mallori Pryse (she/her) Visual Communications Manager

Mallori is a graphic designer with an eclectic background in community organizing, advocacy, program management, and communications. Having received her Master of Social Work from the University of Washington with a focus on community-centered practice, Mallori is dedicated to building a better future for all. She is passionate about harnessing the power of visual storytelling to amplify the lived experiences of those most impacted by injustice.

Born and raised in Washington, Mallori feels a deep connection to our state’s environment and commitment to protecting all who call this land home. When she’s not learning a new hobby or caring for her many houseplants, you can find Mallori backpacking around the state with her husband and two dogs.

Rico Vinh (he/him)

Forest and Fish Project Manager

Rico is an environmental lawyer. Growing up in Seattle, Rico was inspired by the surrounding lush forests, clean waterways, and rugged mountains. While pursuing a law degree from Lewis & Clark, Rico focused on environmental conservation and justice, with a particular emphasis on addressing the region’s ecological challenges. Rico has collaborated with local nonprofits such as Columbia Riverkeeper and Hanford Challenge. In their spare time, Rico enjoys hiking, cooking up a storm, and playing the banjo.

Staff

Aida Amirul, Digital Communications Associate

Rein Attemann, Puget Sound Campaigns Manager

Rachel Baker, Forest Program Director

Paul Balle, Donor Relations Director

Lennon Bronsema, Vice President of Campaigns

Katie Byrnes, Toxics & Stormwater Policy Manager

Heidi Cody, Southwest Washington Community Organizer

Tanya Eison, Executive Assistant & Board Liaison

Katie Fields, Forests & Communities Program Manager

Mikayla Flores, Native Vote WA Digital Field Organizer

Julie Gonzales-Corbin, Human Resources Director

David Gorton, Vice President of Development

Adri Hennessey, HR & Administrative Manager

Sonia Hitchcock, Digital Field Organizer

Kat Holmes, Field Director

Tony Ivey, Political & Civic Engagement Manager

Caitlin Krenn, Climate & Clean Energy Campaign Manager

Robinson Low, Habitat Policy Manager

Alyssa Macy, Chief Executive Officer

Heather Millar, Content Manager

Tina Montgomery, Business Relations & Events Manager

Ellie Morgan, Administrative Associate

Mariah Morr, Salesforce Admin & Data Manager

Darcy Nonemacher, Government Affairs Director

Jody Olney, Tribal Government Liaison

Bryan Pelach, State Forestlands Program Manager

Sean Pender, Vice President of Admin

Rebecca Ponzio, Climate & Fossil Fuel Program Director

Mallori Pryse, Visual Communications Manager

Zachary Pullin, Communications Director

Mindy Roberts, Puget Sound Program Director

Griffin Smith, Development Director

Joy Stanford, Political & Civic Engagement Director

Lauren Tamboer, Foundations Manager

Kady Titus, Native Vote WA Senior Organizer

Rico Vinh, Forest & Fish Project Manager

Halleli Zacher, Events & Outreach Associate

Many of us have some of our investments in a traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or perhaps even in a 401K account.

Whether you’re still working or you’re over 70 years old, there are a few simple ways you can support the work of Washington Conservation Action Education Fund utilizing these retirement assets.

1. Still working? Name Washington Conservation Action Education Fund as a designated beneficiary of your retirement account.

2. Over 70? Make a tax-free charitable distribution from your IRA.

If you’re still working and have an IRA or 401K (or similar retirement account such as a Roth IRA or a 403B), you can designate the Washington Conservation Action Education Fund (our 501c3) today as a beneficiary of the account on your passing.

Amy Scott, Washington Conservation Action Board Member and Director, Planned Giving at University of Washington told us:

“A key reason I chose to make a planned gift from my retirement account is because it took only a few minutes (and cost nothing!) to update my beneficiary designation form online with the financial firm that holds my account. Before I went to their website, I confirmed the correct organization name and federal tax ID number with Washington Conservation Action staff.”

(We’ve even got that information here, to make it easier for you!)

Starting at age 73, the Internal Revenue Service requires that you begin taking distributions from your IRA each year, and that you pay taxes on those distributions.

The good news: you can reduce your tax liability that comes with making such a withdrawal, by making a charitable contribution to Washington Conservation Action Education Fund directly from your IRA.

You can even start making donations from your IRA a year and a half before distributions are required by law. Amy Scott tells us: “As a planned giving professional, I remind donors that they can start making qualified charitable distributions from their IRAs at age 70.5! This has been a popular option for donors who no longer itemize their charitable deductions.”

By making a donation from your IRA, you can preserve more of your nest egg. The gift is called a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), and you don’t have to pay taxes on it! It’s a win-win, as you also get the satisfaction of knowing you helped support Washington Conservation Action Education Fund’s work to protect Washington’s environment for future generations.

Be sure to consult your financial advisor before making distribution decisions.

If you’re ready to fill out a designation form or initiate the transfer from your IRA, remember that the organization name to include is Washington Conservation Action Education Fund, and our Tax ID number is 91-0839385.

If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Paul Balle, Donor Relations Director at paul@waconservationaction.org or at 206.631.2621.

You can also scan the QR code here or check out our web page on planned giving, located here: waconservationaction.org/ planned-gifts