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Newest Member Brings Education Background to Board
At its most recent meeting on Saturday, April 9, the Oregon Shores Board of Directors augmented its ranks by voting Patrick Willis to an interim seat. (Under Oregon Shores’ by-laws, the board can appoint new members between annual membership meetings. Such board appointees then stand for election before the membership at the annual meeting.)
Pat Willis brings over 25 years of educational experience with him, enhancing the board’s skills in this area. He is currently on Oregon State University’s 4-H Youth Development Faculty. Prior to joining the Extension Service, he was a science education program manager at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (where much of his work involved marine science)), the Executive Director of Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve, a 725-acre wildlife preserve located in Washington County, and a high school classroom science teacher. He has developed and implemented a wide range of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs for teachers, and has led a long list of classes and camps for youth and families. His work and research focus on developing educational programs related to natural resources, place-based/community-based education, STEM, and volunteer management. He received his M.S; in Biology and Teaching from Portland State University. He and his wife live on Sauvie Island in Multnomah County, where they have a lavender farm.
Pat’s roles on the board will include helping to guide CoastWatch and our citizen science projects, and especially advising on our growing efforts to engage schools and youth groups in citizen science. He also has extensive grant-writing experience, and will assist with seeking funds for our educational work.
Willis will stand for election to a full term during next fall’s annual meeting.