Position: Conservation Outreach Program Assistant

Phone: 541-961-3962 ext. 202

Cierra joined Benton SWCD as the Conservation Outreach Assistant in September 2024. She serves as a link between the District and other partner organizations to coordinate the Benton County Cooperative Weed Management meetings, conduct site visits for Benton County residents to provide education related to invasive weeds, assist with the annual Salmon Watch Program, and coordinate two native plant sales each year.

Before coming to Benton SWCD, Cierra worked as an intern, field technician, and field crew leader for the Institute for Applied Ecology. During her time with the Institute, she conducted population surveys of multiple rare prairie plant species, surveyed Oregon white oak habitat across the Willamette Valley, and gained technical habitat restoration experience related to removal of invasive species. She also has a background in workshop facilitation and programming through her work with Community Engagement and Leadership at Oregon State University, from where she earned a B.S. Environmental Science and specialization in Applied Ecology.

Outside of work, Cierra enjoys taking hikes around Corvallis, reading and writing book reviews, embroidering, and podcasting.

Contact Cierra about:

• Benton County Cooperative Weed Management Area meetings
• Volunteer opportunities for invasive plant removal
• Invasive plant technical assistance
• Salmon Watch program assistance
• Native Plant Sale volunteer and customer assistance
• Site visits