Board and Staff

Julie grew up in the farmlands of Kentucky, and after living in Philadelphia, Boston, and Los Angeles, now happily calls the Pacific Northwest home. Julie has spent over 20 years in nonprofit management, as an executive director and a board member, working in sectors including media, public health, criminal justice, foundations and independent schools. She is passionate about governance and committed to supporting nonprofit leaders. Outside of work, Julie enjoys cooking for her family, reading, especially 20th century women writers and mysteries, and water fitness activities.

Courtney joined Bark in 2015 after five years of environmental advocacy and public education work with Environment Oregon and Columbia Riverkeeper. Courtney focuses her efforts at Bark on the big picture transformation of traditional environmentalism, conservation, and forest defense tactics, culture, and goals toward environmental justice that respects, centers, and serves IBPOC (Indigenous, Black, and People of Color) cultures, needs, and wisdom over the white supremacist status quo that traditional environmental work is built upon. She organizes Bark’s programmatic work, volunteer opportunities, and communications.

Growing up in the PNW, Haley hiked constantly, but was often distracted from the destination by animal sign and goopy fungi. She holds a special spot in her heart for the small or less charismatic organisms in the woods. These small passions grew into action as she worked with local environmental organizations, such as watershed councils, local parks and rec, and the Oregon Zoo. She holds a BS in Conservation Biology and a Master of Curriculum Development and Environmental Education, and is excited to put them to use to help Bark achieve its goals. She is ready to help people experience the forest and understand ecosystems in a way that inspires a deeper connection with nature.

Christine joins Bark from the renewable energy sector where she was working toward a brighter climate future as an operations manager. She enjoys creating and maintaining processes and systems to ensure that her co-workers are set for success. Christine also brings over 10 years of experience and passion for connecting people to nature through informal education and empowerment. In earning her master’s in biology, Christine was privileged to learn about community-based conservation efforts around the world. Working with Bark allows Christine to connect her enthusiasm for operations to a shared vision for the future that challenges traditional conservation and prioritizes connection to place. When not at work she’s probably at the barn with her two horses or running around looking for birds.

Jordan began his time at Bark as a volunteer, participating in forest and wetland surveys and interacting with Bark staff and volunteers. He quickly fell in love with Bark’s mission and vision for the future. Jordan’s passion for forest ecology and management began as a wildlife technician for the Forest Service, studying spotted owls and fishers amongst the granite peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California. That passion turned to conviction while earning a Master’s degree studying sustainable ecosystems management at Harvard University Extension School, where his Master’s project focused on understanding the nuances of forest thinning practices on federal lands across the Pacific Northwest. A self-proclaimed “forest nerd,” he loves talking about forests and challenging contemporary perspectives on conservation. In his free time, Jordan loves hiking, backpacking, watching baseball, staring at trees, and seeking out old forest remnants.

Hailing from the swamps of North Florida, Meg solidified a love of nature at a young age. After moving to the San Francisco Bay area in 2011, she started her fine gardening career and fell in love with the flora of the west coast. Meg moved to Portland in 2018 to attend PSU and graduated in 2022 with a Bachelors in Environmental Science. Alongside hydrology and ecology classes, she fell even more in love with plants and developed a keen interest in wetland ecosystems specifically. During that time, she volunteered regularly with Bark, bringing her adventure pup Japhy along on many timber sale surveys and camp outs. As Barks new Summer Field Crew Lead, Meg is excited to use her environmental science knowledge to foster and expand Barks volunteers love of and interest in the beautiful nature of Mt. Hood.

Colin brings to Bark a long history of grassroots fundraising and organizing for various progressive causes. His relentless optimism and cheery disposition are an inspiration to his colleagues. When he’s not working hard to inspire members of the public, Colin enjoys pop music, short shorts, and rotisserie chicken.

Stephen has been working in the field of environmental Outreach for over 17 years, having approximately a quarter of a million conversations about environmental issues that face Oregonians, joining Bark in 2015. Stephen has a passion for the environment, disability rights, economic and environmental justice, and Indigenous- led Governance. Stephen has been a Bark supporter and follower for over a decade.

Bringing a background in nonprofit leadership and fundraising, environmental education, scientific research, and community engagement, Nicki is honored and grateful to serve on the Bark Board. They have a lifelong passion for birding and can often be found out and about introducing people to the birds of the Pacific Northwest. She also volunteers on Bark’s Free Mt Hood Campaign Committee and is committed to advocating for an updated Mt Hood Forest Management Plan that incorporates climate change, habitat protections, and the voices of people who have been historically ignored and silenced in decision-making processes.

Caleb is a Portland attorney representing Unions and workers. He was formerly an English teacher who taught environmental justice research and writing. He has experience with labor and employment law and representing low-income clients in family, housing, and employment matters. He spends his free time with his partner and one-eyed dog – hiking, kayaking, reading, and scuba diving.

Teacher, Portland State University. Bark volunteer since 2013. For five years, David has partnered with Bark for his community-based forests/social movements courses at PSU. David is a consultant for social-change non-profits, around process, structure and governance, and has been involved in climate justice movements for almost a decade.

Abigail Singer is the Executive Director of Rogue Farm Corps, a co-founder and past organizer with Rising Tide North America, a member of the Work That Reconnects Facilitators Network, and a community herbalist. She has been active in movements for social, environmental and climate justice since 1998, and has a depth of experience with community organizing, nonprofit fundraising and organizational development. She joined the Bark board in 2020.

Dez is a writer, filmmaker and artist. After launching award-winning feminist media platform for women and femmes of color in 2017, On She Goes, Dez turned her focus and strategy to diversifying the outdoors through creative storytelling. She’s spent the past four years community building, creating and organizing within Oregon and Washington’s dominantly white land conservation movement, and is now 100% focused on dedicating her work to building and designing a decolonized, liberated, BIPOC-led conservation movement at a regional and national level. Dez is co-founder of the national affinity group Conservationists of Color, Latinx grassroots coalition Comunidades, and is current board president of CultureSeed in the Columbia Gorge.