courtesy of Jay Mock

Organization

Founded in March of 2009, Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper works in the public interest to minimize water pollution in Lake Pend Oreille and related water bodies.

Our area of focus includes the lake, the Pend Oreille River down to Albeni Falls Dam, the Clark Fork up to Cabinet Gorge Dam, and all the tributaries that flow into the lake.

Through education, partnership and advocacy, Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper works to protect the water quality of Lake Pend Oreille, as well as to improve the health and viability of people and ecosystems that rely upon or live close to Lake Pend Oreille.

Our mission is founded in the belief that every person has a fundamental right to clean water. We advocate for this right in accordance with the letter and spirit of the law.

Staff

Shannon Williamson – Waterkeeper and Executive Director

Shannon was born and raised on the outskirts of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in West Chester.  There, Shannon developed a love for the great outdoors, taking full advantage of all four seasons through a variety of outdoor and indoor sports.  Shannon’s love of all things water-related began at a young age through frequent trips to the New Jersey shore and deep-sea fishing excursions on her grandfather’s boat.

Shannon earned her bachelor’s degree in marine biology (studying dolphin communication) from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington in 1996 and her Ph.D. in marine science (studying virus-host interactions) from the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg in 2003.  Shannon performed postdoctoral research in deep-sea hydrothermal vent microbial ecology at the University of Delaware.  Upon completion of her postdoctoral work in 2005, she was appointed the Director of Environmental Virology and an Assistant Professor at the (not for profit) J. Craig Venter Institute in San Diego, California.

As an aquatic microbial ecologist and program director, Shannon gained extensive experience merging ecological principles with cutting edge research as well as program management, fundraising, and award administration.  Shannon has authored or co-authored more than 20 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles in addition to chapters for three graduate-level textbooks.  Shannon eagerly joined the Sandpoint community in June, 2011 and is actively integrating her scientific expertise with public awareness and advocacy to continue our work protecting Lake Pend Oreille and its watershed.

Jace Bylenga – Outreach Coordinator

Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jace spent much of his time on the waters of the Great Lakes and their contributing watersheds swimming, fishing, sailing and enjoying the beaches.

While studying Biology and Environmental Studies at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, his appreciation for the importance of our waters and their numerous threats grew. After graduating with a bachelors of science, he moved to Spokane, Washington to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer in partnership with Gonzaga University’s Center for Community Action and Service Learning. As Environmental Outreach Coordinator, Jace became involved with many different projects with the goal of combating poverty where it intersects environmental degradation. He became connected with the community, and took volunteer leadership roles with the Spokane Mountaineers, Sierra Club Inner City Outings, and Pedals2People, local non-profit organizations. After two years of service, he went back to school, joining the Organizational Leadership MA program at Gonzaga U while working for the Environmental Studies and Outdoor Recreation departments.

Jace is very excited to be in Sandpoint, joining the Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper as Outreach Coordinator. He has already enjoyed many hikes in the Scotchman Peaks Proposed Wilderness Area, and looks forward to exploring Lake Pend Oreille. In his free time, he also enjoys climbing, mountaineering, cycling, and live music.

Board

Steve Holt – President
Chris Hecht – Vice President
Dave Hussey – Secretary
Ken Larson – Director

Waterkeeper Alliance

Waterkeeper Alliance is a global movement of on-the-water advocates who protect our local waterways.  Founded by environmental attorney Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as a culmination of decades of citizen-based enforcement, Waterkeeper Alliance is a unifying body for nearly 200 local Waterkeeper organizations worldwide.

Waterkeepers combine firsthand knowledge with an unwavering commitment to the rights of our communities and to the rule of law. Waterkeepers defend our communities against anyone who threatens our fundamental right to clean water.