Puyallup Watershed Conservation Land Trust

Throughout her career, Cat has mastered the art of connection. A veteran of the nonprofit sector in both her home state of Oklahoma and the Pacific Northwest, she has spent decades elevating zoos, museums, and universities. Her track record includes pivotal roles in successful multi-million-dollar capital campaigns, but for Cat, the real reward has always been the human element.

She finds her greatest professional joy in creating immersive experiences that allow donors and stakeholders to see their impact firsthand.

Today, Cat brings that same appreciation for meaningful connection to her personal life. An avid runner, she trades the morning coffee for the trails, believing that a sunrise over the Cascades is the only jolt of energy one truly needs to start the day.

Lorin is a retired water resources engineer and scientist. He previously worked for King County Water and Land Resources and Pierce County Surface Water Management. He has worked on river and floodplain management, salmon recovery, habitat restoration, and stormwater management. He was both the watershed coordinator and past president of the Puyallup River Watershed Council, as well as the lead entity coordinator for WRIA 10. He is passionate about the outdoors and the natural environment and is committed to protecting and restoring habitats and clean water. He loves spending time on the trail, in the mountains, and along rivers and streams in the Pacific Northwest.

Nate started with Manulife Forest Management (formerly known as Hancock Forest Management) as a Forest Engineer in 2014, focused on fish barrier removal projects in the Puyallup River and White River watersheds. He currently works as the local manager for client industrial timberland on the Kapowsin and White River forests. He has worked on various forestland and hydraulic projects, including bridge and culvert installations, engineered log jams, habitat thinning, and forest harvest operations, all in accordance with Washington State Forest Practices. His hobbies include skiing, snowboarding, hunting, fishing, traveling, and spending time with his young family. 

Zachary Bergen brings over 20 years of experience in natural resource conservation, with a focus on preserving land and expanding access to nature. At King County Parks, he manages land acquisitions, conservation easements, grants, and site-level planning. Zachary is dedicated to protecting the ecological integrity of the Puyallup watershed and fostering equitable opportunities for the community to connect with its natural spaces. His work emphasizes habitat protection, passive recreation, and strong community partnerships that align conservation with local needs

Heather is a twenty-seven-year resident of the Pacific Northwest.  Originally from the Midwest, she has lived in various locations throughout the United States and Europe.  Currently, Heather works for the King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks as a Contract Specialist.

Heather is a graduate of the University of Mississippi, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

She has been an active member of her community, serving on the Puyallup Library Board & Foundation, the Northwest Sinfonietta board, and the Puyallup Main Street Association.   In addition, she served on the Puyallup Planning Commission, the Puyallup Watershed Initiative Board, and the Pierce County Conservation Futures Citizen Advisory Board. Heather was the Site Steward for Pierce Conservation District’s Silver Creek restoration project. She is an avid supporter of the arts and a gardener.

Chris is a senior fisheries ecologist with King County Department of Natural Resources. His current work focuses on scientific research aimed at understanding limiting factors to salmon recovery. Additionally, his experience includes disseminating research to jurisdictions, salmon recovery groups, and land planners to help guide and prioritize restoration efforts for the greatest impact. His background includes a variety of fisheries, wildlife, and habitat experience throughout the region. 

As a 5th-generation resident of Pierce County, Chris is passionate about stewarding our local environment and ensuring the sustainability of our natural resources.

Adam has been an attorney since 2004 and, in 2019, founded the solo firm Draper Law PLLC in Seattle.  He provides real estate transactions and strategic guidance and support to both nonprofit land trusts and private landowner clients across the state for all manner of fee property and conservation easement projects, particularly for farms, ranches, forests, and habitat and recreation lands.  He spent 10 years as in-house counsel at land trusts on either side of the country, first at the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust and then in Washington at Forterra (formerly Cascade Land Conservancy).     

After serving as an AmeriCorps member at Pierce Conservation District, Connor joined the Foss Waterway Seaport, where he is the Salmon Program Manager. He has a passion for sharing his passion for the outdoors and wildlife.

Connor graduated from Colorado State University with two Bachelor’s degrees in Zoology and Conservation Biology. After college, he worked at an environmental consulting firm in Colorado before relocating to Washington in 2021. When he’s not working, Connor enjoys hiking, birding, reading, playing music, and exploring everything the PNW has to offer.