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Our Staff
Meet the Team
KRISTINA RIBELLIA
Executive Director
ELLIOTT DELONG
Operations Manager
Born and raised in Moses Lake, Elliott joined CBCD in 2018 as our education and outreach coordinator. In addition to education, outreach, and technical support, Elliott also now serves as CBCD's operations manager. Elliott received a Bachelor's of Science from Central Washington University in Ellensburg before spending several years working for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Elliott plans to continue the outreach programs at CBCD and expand to include others such as Monarch in the Classroom in the coming years.
When not at work, Elliott enjoys spending time with his family as well as hunting and fishing in eastern Washington.
PROGRAMS
- District Operations
- Trout in the Classroom
- Crab Creek National Water Quality Initiative
- Invasive Carp Removal
- Burn Permits
- Moses Lake Water Quality
- Fire Hazard Mitigation Assessments
EMAIL
elliott-delong@columbiabasincd.org
Born and raised in Moses Lake, Elliott joined CBCD in 2018 as our education and outreach coordinator. In addition to education, outreach, and technical support, Elliott also now serves as CBCD's operations manager. Elliott received a Bachelor's of Science from Central Washington University in Ellensburg before spending several years working for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Elliott plans to continue the outreach programs at CBCD and expand to include others such as Monarch in the Classroom in the coming years.
When not at work, Elliott enjoys spending time with his family as well as hunting and fishing in eastern Washington.
PROGRAMS
- District Operations
- Trout in the Classroom
- Crab Creek National Water Quality Initiative
- Invasive Carp Removal
- Burn Permits
- Moses Lake Water Quality
- Fire Hazard Mitigation Assessments
elliott-delong@columbiabasincd.org
HAROLD CROSE
Resource Conservationist
As a retired Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) employee of 41 years, Harold is an invaluable asset to the GCCD and the greater Columbia Basin. Today, Harold mainly assists the CBCD as an adviser and technical specialist. He has recently taken on the role as OGWRP Coordinator.
He is most interested in helping expand the technical capacity of the CBCD and has a passion for soil health and all aspects of agricultural energy conservation. In his four decades of service with NRCS, he worked in water quality and quantity in irrigated agriculture, dry-land farming, forestry, and served on numerous committees including the national team that developed the technical guidance on wind erosion.
Harold continues to be on the cutting edge, identifying and implementing progressive conservation practices that benefit our natural resources and stakeholders alike.
PROGRAMS
- Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program
- Moses Lake Watershed Council
- Voluntary Stewardship Program
EMAIL
harold-crose@columbiabasincd.org
As a retired Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) employee of 41 years, Harold is an invaluable asset to the GCCD and the greater Columbia Basin. Today, Harold mainly assists the CBCD as an adviser and technical specialist. He has recently taken on the role as OGWRP Coordinator.
He is most interested in helping expand the technical capacity of the CBCD and has a passion for soil health and all aspects of agricultural energy conservation. In his four decades of service with NRCS, he worked in water quality and quantity in irrigated agriculture, dry-land farming, forestry, and served on numerous committees including the national team that developed the technical guidance on wind erosion.
Harold continues to be on the cutting edge, identifying and implementing progressive conservation practices that benefit our natural resources and stakeholders alike.
PROGRAMS
- Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program
- Moses Lake Watershed Council
- Voluntary Stewardship Program
harold-crose@columbiabasincd.org
DEANNA ELLIOTT
GIS Coordinator
A native to California’s San Joaquin Valley, Deanna joined the CBCD team in July of 2019.
Deanna is a Conservationist for the Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP). It is her mission to assist farmers in achieving their long-term goals toward efficiency and sustainability. She has a background in small scale family farming and native plant cultivation/restoration.
She was an outdoor/environmental educator for Montessori Children’s House in Redmond Washington and a farm educator for Cloudview Farm in Ephrata Washington.
In her down time Deanna can be found fishing the sun lakes with her four boys.
PROGRAMS
- Voluntary Stewardship Program
- GIS & Data Management
EMAIL
deanna-elliott@columbiabasincd.org
A native to California’s San Joaquin Valley, Deanna joined the CBCD team in July of 2019.
Deanna is a Conservationist for the Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP). It is her mission to assist farmers in achieving their long-term goals toward efficiency and sustainability. She has a background in small scale family farming and native plant cultivation/restoration.
She was an outdoor/environmental educator for Montessori Children’s House in Redmond Washington and a farm educator for Cloudview Farm in Ephrata Washington.
In her down time Deanna can be found fishing the sun lakes with her four boys.
PROGRAMS
- Voluntary Stewardship Program
- GIS & Data Management
deanna-elliott@columbiabasincd.org
DINAH ROULEAU
Program Manager
Dinah spent most of her life in both Grant and Adams County, this is home. She went to Highschool at Lind-Ritzville High School and graduated with a plant-based Biology bachelors and an Environmental minor from Whitworth University.
Through college she managed the University Greenhouse, was an Agronomy Intern at Simplot, did research on our local sage grouse populations and on Ferns in Costa Rica.
Currently she is living near Lind with her Husband, 3 horses, 3 dogs and a reptile. She considers her hobbies to be anything with plants and horses.
Growing up in our agriculture area, she has gotten to know many local farmers and understands the community well. One of her main goals is to educate growers/ranchers on new ways to be more sustainable while having a basic understanding and background of what is reasonable for an everyday producer to do.
PROGRAMS
- Cost Share Program
- Livestock & Range Management
- Heritage Garden Program
EMAIL
dinah-rouleau@columbiabasincd.org
Dinah spent most of her life in both Grant and Adams County, this is home. She went to Highschool at Lind-Ritzville High School and graduated with a plant-based Biology bachelors and an Environmental minor from Whitworth University.
Through college she managed the University Greenhouse, was an Agronomy Intern at Simplot, did research on our local sage grouse populations and on Ferns in Costa Rica.
Currently she is living near Lind with her Husband, 3 horses, 3 dogs and a reptile. She considers her hobbies to be anything with plants and horses.
Growing up in our agriculture area, she has gotten to know many local farmers and understands the community well. One of her main goals is to educate growers/ranchers on new ways to be more sustainable while having a basic understanding and background of what is reasonable for an everyday producer to do.
PROGRAMS
- Cost Share Program
- Livestock & Range Management
- Heritage Garden Program
dinah-rouleau@columbiabasincd.org
BRITTON BAKER
Conservation Planner
Britton was born in western Washington, where he developed a love for the outdoors at a young age. He moved to Almira when he was 10, and began to learn about the diverse terrain and wildlife Grant County had to offer.
Britton received his Bachelor's of Science in Geography as well as his GIS certificate from Central Washington University, and also holds a FAA Commercial Drone License.
Britton joined CBCD in 2022 as a Conservation Planner for the Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) and will be working with farmers in Grant and Adams counties. As a Conservation Planner, Britton will help educate farmers on the benefits and methods of protecting critical areas on their lands while maintaining agricultural viability.
He has a professional background in resource management and sales. He enjoys sharing the outdoors with his family through hiking, fishing, camping and other outdoor activities.
PROGRAMS
- Voluntary Stewardship Program
- Drone Imagery
- Sustainable Farms & Fields
EMAIL
britton-baker@columbiabasincd.org
Britton was born in western Washington, where he developed a love for the outdoors at a young age. He moved to Almira when he was 10, and began to learn about the diverse terrain and wildlife Grant County had to offer.
Britton received his Bachelor's of Science in Geography as well as his GIS certificate from Central Washington University, and also holds a FAA Commercial Drone License.
Britton joined CBCD in 2022 as a Conservation Planner for the Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) and will be working with farmers in Grant and Adams counties. As a Conservation Planner, Britton will help educate farmers on the benefits and methods of protecting critical areas on their lands while maintaining agricultural viability.
He has a professional background in resource management and sales. He enjoys sharing the outdoors with his family through hiking, fishing, camping and other outdoor activities.
PROGRAMS
- Voluntary Stewardship Program
- Drone Imagery
- Sustainable Farms & Fields
britton-baker@columbiabasincd.org
YAZMIN MEJIA
Administrative Assistant
Yazmin grew up in a small town in Mexico. Since she was little, she noticed the importance of conserving water. She is very passionate about taking care of the planet and believes that childhood is the best stage to help develop awareness of our natural resources. As CBCD’s education and outreach specialist, Yazmin is helping reach and engage all members of our community.
Yazmin has been living in Moses Lake since 2018. She has a B.A. in Business Administration, a strong background in early childhood education, and is bilingual (Spanish-English). Exploring nature with her husband is what she enjoys the most.
PROGRAMS
- District Operations
- Bilingual Services
- Moses Lake Water Quality
EMAIL
yazmin-mejia@columbiabasincd.org
Yazmin grew up in a small town in Mexico. Since she was little, she noticed the importance of conserving water. She is very passionate about taking care of the planet and believes that childhood is the best stage to help develop awareness of our natural resources. As CBCD’s education and outreach specialist, Yazmin is helping reach and engage all members of our community.
Yazmin has been living in Moses Lake since 2018. She has a B.A. in Business Administration, a strong background in early childhood education, and is bilingual (Spanish-English). Exploring nature with her husband is what she enjoys the most.
PROGRAMS
- District Operations
- Bilingual Services
- Moses Lake Water Quality
yazmin-mejia@columbiabasincd.org
DOUG ALLEN
Resource Planner Specialist
Doug is a native of the Columbia Basin area, being raised on an irrigated Farm near Winchester Washington and graduating from both Ephrata High School and Big Bend community College locally. He continued his education through Oregon State University in Agricultural Mechanization.
Doug has worked at many locations around Central Washington area including Waterville, Wenatchee, Ephrata, Othello, and Spokane. He recently retired from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) after 35 years of service. Doug has extensive knowledge and experience with irrigated cropland use, irrigation systems and water management. Other experience includes dry cropland land use addressing water quality through permanent grass and shrub establishment, terracing and sediment basins.
Doug completed his last 7 years with NRCS in the Eastern portion of Washington State assisting staff and partners with watershed scale planning and implementation through multiple NRCS programs.
In retirement, Doug plans to continue working part time for the CBCD assisting private landowners with planning, alternatives and solutions to address landowner objectives and improving natural resources.
PROGRAMS
- NRCS Task Orders
- Crab Creek National Water Quality Inventory
EMAIL
doug-allen@columbiabasincd.org
Doug is a native of the Columbia Basin area, being raised on an irrigated Farm near Winchester Washington and graduating from both Ephrata High School and Big Bend community College locally. He continued his education through Oregon State University in Agricultural Mechanization.
Doug has worked at many locations around Central Washington area including Waterville, Wenatchee, Ephrata, Othello, and Spokane. He recently retired from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) after 35 years of service. Doug has extensive knowledge and experience with irrigated cropland use, irrigation systems and water management. Other experience includes dry cropland land use addressing water quality through permanent grass and shrub establishment, terracing and sediment basins.
Doug completed his last 7 years with NRCS in the Eastern portion of Washington State assisting staff and partners with watershed scale planning and implementation through multiple NRCS programs.
In retirement, Doug plans to continue working part time for the CBCD assisting private landowners with planning, alternatives and solutions to address landowner objectives and improving natural resources.
PROGRAMS
- NRCS Task Orders
- Crab Creek National Water Quality Inventory
doug-allen@columbiabasincd.org
RONNIE SAWYER
Moses Lake Water Quality Program Manager
Ron Sawyer has lived in Moses Lake since 1980. He moved to the area after meeting his wife Rebecca (daughter of longtime residents James and Harriett Clark) at Eastern Washington University. Ron received a B.A. in secondary education in 1979. Together, the Sawyers started Cascade Marina, which they still operate. They have three girls who grew up on the lake, and four grandsons following in their footsteps.
Best known as the “Boat Guy” at Cascade Marina for 43 years, Ron is now uses the skills he gained as the co-chair of the Central Washington Fish Advisory Committee (CWFAC) to help search for solutions for the blue green algae problem in Moses Lake.
His previous projects on Moses Lake while with CWFAC include building net pens to raise trout, constructing carp barriers, underwater habitat boxes, directing the Moses Lake Walleye tournament for 23 years, obtaining funding for the Meseberg warmwater fish Hatchery at Ringold, and many hours volunteering with WDFW in electrofishing boats during studies of the fisheries resources of Moses Lake.
Ron has served on the Grant County Tourism Commission, Moses Lake Tourism Commission, Board of Directors for Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce, and was selected to be on the WDFW Fisheries Management Division Policy Task Force starting in 1993. Ron and Rebecca are also likely to be found playing in an orchestra, performing with theater groups in Wenatchee, Quincy and Moses Lake.
PROGRAMS
- Moses Lake Water Quality
EMAIL
ronnie-sawyer@columbiabasincd.org
Ron Sawyer has lived in Moses Lake since 1980. He moved to the area after meeting his wife Rebecca (daughter of longtime residents James and Harriett Clark) at Eastern Washington University. Ron received a B.A. in secondary education in 1979. Together, the Sawyers started Cascade Marina, which they still operate. They have three girls who grew up on the lake, and four grandsons following in their footsteps.
Best known as the “Boat Guy” at Cascade Marina for 43 years, Ron is now uses the skills he gained as the co-chair of the Central Washington Fish Advisory Committee (CWFAC) to help search for solutions for the blue green algae problem in Moses Lake.
His previous projects on Moses Lake while with CWFAC include building net pens to raise trout, constructing carp barriers, underwater habitat boxes, directing the Moses Lake Walleye tournament for 23 years, obtaining funding for the Meseberg warmwater fish Hatchery at Ringold, and many hours volunteering with WDFW in electrofishing boats during studies of the fisheries resources of Moses Lake.
Ron has served on the Grant County Tourism Commission, Moses Lake Tourism Commission, Board of Directors for Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce, and was selected to be on the WDFW Fisheries Management Division Policy Task Force starting in 1993. Ron and Rebecca are also likely to be found playing in an orchestra, performing with theater groups in Wenatchee, Quincy and Moses Lake.
PROGRAMS
- Moses Lake Water Quality
ronnie-sawyer@columbiabasincd.org
LYLE STOLTMAN
Technical Advisor
KALEY WISHER
Conservation Biologist
Born in southwest Florida, Kaley has spent her life working in the field of wildlife conservation. That
journey has taken her all over the country working to conserve wildlife populations and their habitats. She moved to central Washington in 2022 and is now working for the CBCD as a conservation biologist.
Kaley went to school at Western Carolina University located just outside of Asheville, NC where her passion for wildlife biology grew into a career path. She completed an undergraduate thesis studying song sparrow aggression behavior in rural and urban environments, which allowed her to see many of North Carolina’s beautiful and unique places in her search for song sparrows.
Before moving out here, Kaley lived and worked in Montana where she studied deer, elk, and antelope diets and migration patterns. She also assisted in a large-scale mapping project to map all of the fence lines within central Montana as part of an effort to identify migration corridors for wildlife that involved crossing fence lines. As those crossing points were identified, efforts were made to make those sections of fence wildlife friendly so the animals could safely get across.
During her time in Montana, Kaley got a side job starting colts for a cutting horse breeder. Horses are near and dear to her heart and her time in Montana allowed her to meet a young horse named Dude. When not at work, you can find Kaley and Dude exploring central Washington together.
RESOURCE CONCERNS
- Wildlife Biology
- Habitat Restoration
- Aquatic
- Riparian
- Upland
- Shrub-steppe
EMAIL
kaley-wisher@columbiabasincd.org
Born in southwest Florida, Kaley has spent her life working in the field of wildlife conservation. That
journey has taken her all over the country working to conserve wildlife populations and their habitats. She moved to central Washington in 2022 and is now working for the CBCD as a conservation biologist.
Kaley went to school at Western Carolina University located just outside of Asheville, NC where her passion for wildlife biology grew into a career path. She completed an undergraduate thesis studying song sparrow aggression behavior in rural and urban environments, which allowed her to see many of North Carolina’s beautiful and unique places in her search for song sparrows.
Before moving out here, Kaley lived and worked in Montana where she studied deer, elk, and antelope diets and migration patterns. She also assisted in a large-scale mapping project to map all of the fence lines within central Montana as part of an effort to identify migration corridors for wildlife that involved crossing fence lines. As those crossing points were identified, efforts were made to make those sections of fence wildlife friendly so the animals could safely get across.
During her time in Montana, Kaley got a side job starting colts for a cutting horse breeder. Horses are near and dear to her heart and her time in Montana allowed her to meet a young horse named Dude. When not at work, you can find Kaley and Dude exploring central Washington together.
RESOURCE CONCERNS
- Wildlife Biology
- Habitat Restoration
- Aquatic
- Riparian
- Upland
- Shrub-steppe
kaley-wisher@columbiabasincd.org
GRIFFIN HANSEN
Conservation Planner
Growing up in Moses Lake, Griffin has always been interested in agriculture and conservation. This interest led him to Utah State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Soils and Sustainable Land Systems. Returning to Washington state, he is now working towards earning a Master of Science in Cultural and Environmental Resource Management from Central Washington University in Ellensburg. After completing his education, he hopes to continue to work for CBCD helping conserve natural resources in the Columbia Basin.
In his free time, Griffin likes to canoe, cook, and camp with his spouse. Exploring Eastern Washington and understanding the way this unique landscape is worked is a passion of his. He hopes that his interests paired with education will allow him to better serve the people of the Columbia Basin.
Growing up in Moses Lake, Griffin has always been interested in agriculture and conservation. This interest led him to Utah State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Soils and Sustainable Land Systems. Returning to Washington state, he is now working towards earning a Master of Science in Cultural and Environmental Resource Management from Central Washington University in Ellensburg. After completing his education, he hopes to continue to work for CBCD helping conserve natural resources in the Columbia Basin.
In his free time, Griffin likes to canoe, cook, and camp with his spouse. Exploring Eastern Washington and understanding the way this unique landscape is worked is a passion of his. He hopes that his interests paired with education will allow him to better serve the people of the Columbia Basin.
AUDREY RHODES
RCPP Program Manager
Native to Moses Lake, Audrey has always been enthusiastic about connecting communities to our natural environment. Earning a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Washington – Tacoma, Audrey curated her passion for environmental stewardship and sustainability within Restoration Ecology and GIS certificate programs.
Having found an interest in plant physiology under abiotic stresses, Audrey was led to a Master of Soil Science at North Dakota State University to evaluate the tolerances of dry bean cultivars and market classes to salinity, waterlogging, and combined conditions. Throughout her academic journey, opportunities have allowed Audrey to delve into diverse aspects of environmental science; including stormwater management practices, air and water quality at the public level, restoration of ecological sites from invasive species, and assessments of various soil-environment conditions on biological nitrogen fixation and crops.
As a dedicated naturalist, Audrey aspires to contribute to the conservation of natural waterways, expansion of sustainable agricultural practices, and promotion of soil health throughout the greater Columbia Basin area.
“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it is attached to the rest of the world.” – John Muir
EMAIL
audrey-rhodes@columbiabasincd.org
Native to Moses Lake, Audrey has always been enthusiastic about connecting communities to our natural environment. Earning a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Washington – Tacoma, Audrey curated her passion for environmental stewardship and sustainability within Restoration Ecology and GIS certificate programs.
Having found an interest in plant physiology under abiotic stresses, Audrey was led to a Master of Soil Science at North Dakota State University to evaluate the tolerances of dry bean cultivars and market classes to salinity, waterlogging, and combined conditions. Throughout her academic journey, opportunities have allowed Audrey to delve into diverse aspects of environmental science; including stormwater management practices, air and water quality at the public level, restoration of ecological sites from invasive species, and assessments of various soil-environment conditions on biological nitrogen fixation and crops.
As a dedicated naturalist, Audrey aspires to contribute to the conservation of natural waterways, expansion of sustainable agricultural practices, and promotion of soil health throughout the greater Columbia Basin area.
“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it is attached to the rest of the world.” – John Muir
audrey-rhodes@columbiabasincd.org
903 W. 3rd Ave, Moses Lake, WA, 98837 (509) 765-9618 I www.columbiabasincd.org I @ 2024 Columbia Basin Conservation District
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