We are currently accepting applications for our Board of Directors and our River Ambassadors
We are grateful for our incredible Staff, Board Members, Advisors, and River Ambassadors that lead and support our efforts.
Heather Barber, Executive Director
Heather joined the Bitterroot Water Partnership in 2010. Hailing from Wisconsin, a water-wealthy state, she is acutely aware of the need to promote a healthy watershed in the Bitterroot Valley. She enjoys working with landowners to get restoration projects on the ground and partnering with educators to enhance youth exposure to natural resource education. Her love of rivers came from time spent fishing the Wisconsin River with her dad. She holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Sociology from the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse. Heather enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, camping, and fly fishing. When she’s indoors she’s most likely working on a new project in the craft room or in the kitchen.
Alex Ocañas, MAnager, Community Conservation
Alex first developed her respect for the natural world as a child in Washington, where student lessons included raising crawfish and field trips were taken to local fisheries. Her first steps into the conservation field were as a restoration volunteer, field trip guide, and eventual program coordinator at a Blackland prairie reserve in North Texas. After earning her degree in Biology and Spanish, she served as a AmeriCorps member with the USFWS, helping to engage communities in monarch conservation. After this switch to a more human-focused approach to conservation, she received her MS in Resource Conservation (conservation social sciences) from the University of Montana. Now, her passion is connecting people to conservation pathways and, of course, backpacking, camping, photographing, exploring, and baking moderately tasty treats.
Telsie Graziano, Office Manager
Telsie joined the Bitterroot Water Partnership in 2024 as the Administrative Coordinator. She brings 10+ years of comprehensive administrative experience and exceptional organizational skills to the table. Telsie approaches life and all aspects of any job with a positive, hard-working mindset, and is passionate about helping find solutions to any challenges. Her critical thinking, people-centric nature, and empathy help her connect and relate to others organically. She is excited to bring these experiences and enthusiasm to the team and community. In her spare time, she loves being with her family, singing, traveling, scrapbooking, and camping.
Damon Tucker, RESTORATION Project Manager
Damon joined the Bitterroot Water Partnership team in 2024 as the Restoration Project Manager. A South Carolina native, Damon was drawn to the restoration field after an AmeriCorps term in Arizona with American Conservation Experience. He fell in love with the Northern Rockies long ago while working on ranches and conservation groups in the region. After gaining project management experience with Walker Basin Conservancy in Nevada, Damon is thrilled to put his experience to work in the Bitterroot Valley and return to the region he considers home. When not pursuing our exciting projects, he is out exploring the mountains or diving into a random new hobby.
Eddie Olwell, Donor Relations Manager
Eddie brings a wealth of experience and passion for conservation to his role as Donor
Relations Manager at the Bitterroot Water Partnership. A lifelong angler, hunter, and natural resources advocate, he has devoted much of his life to the preservation of rivers and their ecosystems. Eddie is a past president of both the Bitterroot Water Partnership and the Bitterroot Chapter of TU, and has been awarded “Outstanding Outfitter of the Year” by the American Fisheries Society. Beyond his work in conservation, Eddie runs an outfitting business, is a certified Wilderness EMT and instructor for the Aerie School for Backcountry Medicine, as well as a ski patrol member at Lost Trail Powder Mountain. He and his family live in Stevensville, Montana.
Becky Burg, Earth Stewardship Program Coordinator
Becky joined the Bitterroot Water Partnership in 2022 as the part-time Earth Stewardship Program Coordinator, but she has experience collaborating with the organization for many years while serving as an eighth grade science teacher in Hamilton, Montana. She has always appreciated their willingness to help teachers and students move outside of the classroom to learn about and experience the Bitterroot Watershed. Becky enjoys being outdoors with her family and is passionate about hiking, hunting, gardening, canning, and camping.
Doug Nation, President
Doug was raised on a farm in southern Illinois and, after stints in Colorado and Washington state, moved to the Bitterroot Valley in 1998. He retired as a Principal Scientists from GSK in 2019. Since moving here, he has enjoyed the recreational benefits of the local river and been involved with its conservation by serving on the Boards of Bitter Root Trout Unlimited, Montana Trout Unlimited, and the Bitter Root Land Trust. He is excited to now be on the Bitterroot Water Partnership Board and working with the incredible staff and Board of this great organization.
Estelle Shuttleworth, Vice President
Estelle hails from Windsor, Ontario, Canada. When she was three her family moved to the United States, where she became a naturalized citizen at the age of eight. Estelle grew up on the East Coast but spent her summers in the Midwest on Lake Huron. Her family returned to the Detroit area for her final year of high school, and she received a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Michigan State University in 1976. After a satisfying and successful career in her chosen profession, she retired to the Bitterroot Valley in 2011. It was a place that had stolen her heart the first time she visited in 1988 and she knew someday she would return. These days Estelle spends as much time outside in the Valley as she can, either hiking, fishing, gardening or – most often – with her camera. She is excited to be part of an organization that recognizes the importance of preserving the river that runs through it all. Estelle maintains that without water, nothing survives. She looks forward to doing her part in supporting this great organization’s goals, which benefit all aspects of the community.
Jim Striebel, Secretary
Jim works as a microbiologist at Rocky Mountain Laboratories and as an adjunct professor of microbiology at the Bitterroot College – University of Montana, but he first came to the Bitterroot Valley in 1992 to teach Biology and Chemistry at Corvallis High School. As an educator, he developed experiential education programs which engaged students in the study of local watersheds, public lands, and wilderness. His interest in water and wilderness started at a young age on visits to his grandparents in rural Montana, fishing small streams and lakes with his grandfather. He believes the work of BRWF is essential to the health and use of all Bitterroot water, especially as the valley population grows. He holds a B.S. in Biology/Chemistry/Secondary-Education from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and a M.S. from Montana State University – Bozeman. When not working he enjoys hanging out with his family – traveling, making music, skiing, biking, hiking, and boating of all kinds.
Bob Miller, Treasurer
Bob has been in Wealth Management with Morgan Stanley since 1986. He takes great satisfaction in assisting his clients in achieving their financial and retirement goals. Bob grew up in Southern California and attended UCLA where he received a BS degree in Psychobiology. In 2004, Bob, along with his wife and two children, traveled through Montana following the Lewis and Clark trail. Their stop in the Bitterroot to visit friends and fly fish the Bitterroot was all it took to commit to a lifestyle change. In 2005, they began their transition and are now glad to have called Hamilton home for many years. Bob is extremely passionate about fly fishing and has been involved with organizations such as the South Bay Fly Fishers, The Fly Fishers of the Bitterroot, Trout Unlimited, and Casting for Recovery. Recognizing the importance of a healthy river and stream ecosystem, Bob has been a staunch supporter and volunteer of The Bitterroot Water Partnership and joined the Board in 2023 to better serve in promoting the goals of this essential organization. When not working with his clientele at Morgan Stanley, Bob is either working on the acreage he calls home or out fly-fishing somewhere.
Laura Carrasco
Laura is originally from upstate New York, she moved to the Bitterroot Valley to enjoy all the outdoor recreation the valley has to offer. As an avid skier, backpacker, hiker, and biker there is plenty to keep her busy. She began teaching at Corvallis High School in 1994, and aside from a 6-year excursion to Kodiak, Alaska, she has lived here since. Back in those early days at Corvallis High School, Laura was part of a team of teachers that began the Classroom Without Walls program. Almost 10 years ago she began another experiential science program called the Yellowstone Winter Ecology Project and became the high school Science Olympiad coach. After 27 years teaching in our local public schools, Laura continues to love her job; especially when she is engaging kids with real-world science that ignites a passion for conservation and stewardship of wild spaces.
Andy Maki
Andy Maki is a 4th generation farmer/rancher. His great-grandparents immigrated to the Bitter Root Valley in the late 1800’s from Finland. He worked for the Forest Service in the summers during college and holds a BS in Ag Business with a Minor in Economics from Montana State University. Andy worked 7 years as an Ag Credit Officer before returning to the family ranch. He holds a deep love for the open spaces in this valley and is disturbed by the changes he has seen in his lifetime. He feels keeping working farms/ranches intact benefits our economy, our environment, our wildlife, and our culture. Andy views the Water Partnership as a platform for the members of this community to foster a greater understanding of the watershed that we all use and depend on, and to come together with Win/Win solutions where all stakeholders benefit. He looks forward to being part of this organization and learning new ideas and new perspectives as well as sharing his own.
Jay duce
Jay Duce brought his young family to the Bitterroot Valley in 1998. He earned a degree in conservation biology from Brigham Young University using his education to mentor Boy Scouts for 25 years with local projects to enhance our ecosystem : from wood duck boxes along the Bitterroot River to habitat restoration, improving walking paths and constructing log benches for Steve Powell park, to name a few. His work in environmental ecology and mitigating endangered species included work for Battelle Northwest and graduate projects with Utah State University. His career pivoted to accounting and he’s been at Montana State Fund for more than 20 years working with businesses across Montana, developing valuable relationships and understanding the complexities of our state’s economy. Jay is a passionate outdoorsman chasing elk at the highest elevations and fishing year-round. He and his wife, Stacie, also chase their 8 children around to all their sports and activities and have loved raising them in the Bitterroot Valley.
Dan Severson
Dan Severson is a respected agricultural and business leader in the Bitterroot Valley, co-owning the Flying E Ranch since 1973* and managing Valley Drug and Variety in downtown Stevensville for more than 30 years. He has also owned and operated several other local businesses, including Family Pharmacy, Valley Medical Supply, and Burnt Fork Manor. Dan has served on numerous boards and civic organizations, including the Bitterroot Land Trust, Stevensville Civic Club, Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce, and various agricultural advisory groups. He brings firsthand expertise in water rights, land conservation, and the challenges facing working farms and ranches—particularly in the Burnt Fork, a priority tributary for BWP. His decades of support for local 4-H, FFA, and other community causes reflect his deep commitment to preserving the Bitterroot’s agricultural heritage and rural way of life.
Dan Huls
Dan Huls is a fourth-generation Bitterroot native and currently serves as Chairman of the Ravalli County Commission. Four generations of the Huls family (over 100 years) owned and operated Huls Dairy northeast of Corvallis. Dan has a strong background in agriculture and community service, with experience serving on numerous local and statewide committees and boards including the Corvallis Canal and Water Company, Western Montana Agricultural Research Center, Teller Wildlife Refuge, Mountain West Cooperative, Ravalli County Planning Board, and the Ravalli County Right to Farm & Ranch Board. His leadership in both for-profit and nonprofit sectors reflects a deep commitment to collaboration, problem-solving, and the well-being of his community. Dan and his wife Joan live in Corvallis.
KASCIE HERRON
While considering herself a proud Montanan, Kascie originally hails from Maryland’s Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, and grew up spending most of her time outside and on many of the surrounding water bodies in the region. Kascie holds a MS in Environmental Studies from University of Montana and a MFA in Science and Natural History Filmmaking from Montana State University. She currently serves as the Organizing Director at Wild Montana, leading a team of field organizers across the state who build and activate grassroots support for various campaigns. When she is not advocating for public lands and water, she is out enjoying them with her husband Dan and their three bird dogs, Numa, Ritzy and Woody.
lISA ZAVODA
Lisa Zavoda is a seasoned nonprofit professional in Victor, Montana, with expertise in program development and strategic planning, and a strong background in philanthropy and major gifts. Before moving from Colorado, she served as a Regional Philanthropy Manager and Major Gifts Manager for organizations like Mercy Housing and the Denver Botanic Gardens. Her commitment to philanthropy has enabled her to secure vital funding for community projects, and Lisa is now sharing her knowledge and expertise to inspire others to join her in creating positive, lasting change for Bitterroot waters.
Joseph Borowy
I grew up in the Bitterroot Valley and since I was able to walk my parents have instilled a love of nature in me. I love the River. From skiing the snow in the mountains to exploring the creeks. Swimming in and kayaking the lakes and reservoirs to fishing and floating the River itself. I love all the wild creatures in this ecosystem. I spent my youth catching frogs, snakes, turtles, fish, crawdads, lizards and salamanders. Now I get to share the love of these beautiful creatures with my children who are 6th generation Montanans, and I want them to be able to do the same with their children and grandchildren.
I sell beer and wine from Missoula to Sula where my great great grandparents homesteaded, so I’m lucky enough to see the Bitterroot River and Mountain Range from tip to tip every week.
Rebecca Busch
The Bitterroot River is helping me raise my boys. From the time they began seeing the world around them, the Bitterroot was a center touchstone in our world. From the time they were in the backpack, as they started walking, and now biking along it’s side with our dog, fishing for our finned friends, or the quench of a swim in it to cool off on the hottest of summer days. My boys are learning about the environment around them, where our water comes from, our seasons, our wildlife, and the things we love to do that connect us with friends and family through the presence and preservation of our beloved Bitterroot River. I’m proud to serve as a River Ambassador so I can set an example for them around community engagement, stewardship, and local leadership.
Jessie Cook
Hi! I’m Jesse Cook. I became involved in water conservation in the Bitterroot for a selfish reason, I love fishing! Growing up in the west, my family and I always used recreation (i.e. fishing) as a way to connect with nature and make memories that last a lifetime. My goal is to make a small impact that can better our waterways for future generations.
Lisa Classen
Lisa Classen has called the Bitterroot Valley home for the past 23 years. She loves exploring our public lands and wilderness and is passionate about protecting Montana’s natural resources. As a river enthusiast, she is excited to be a River Ambassador and engage in water conservation & watershed protection efforts with the Bitterroot Water Partnership.
She holds an M.A. in Environmental History from Northern Arizona University and works doing sustainable agriculture programming in the valley. In her free time she enjoys hanging out with her daughter Wren, gardening, getting hands-on with wild plant foods & medicines, floating rivers, hiking and skiing.
Christina Dunbar
Christina Dunbar comes from a family that has been an integral part of the Bitterroot Valley since the 1800’s. She has experienced diverse communities growing up in a military family, while always considering the Bitterroot home. She is a Past President of the Bitterroot Valley Kiwanis Club, a former member of the Board of Directors of Emma’s House Child Advocacy Center, and a volunteer for Survivors for Abuse Free Environments (SAFE). In her free time, you might catch her acting in a local play, listening to live music, shopping at the farmer’s market, or volunteering at many local fundraisers. She is glad to be a part of taking care of our incredible River and inspiring others to become involved, too.
Jessica Erben
Jessica is a Staff Engineer working in Natural Resources. Her background is a combination of sediment transport, hydraulics, and chemical processes in open channel systems, such as our Montana rivers! Her career goal is to specialize in river restoration work and learn more about the local ecology and environmental processes of the Bitterroot Valley to give back to the community. In her free time, she likes to be active with a variety of hobbies including skiing, taking her dog for hikes, rock climbing, aerial arts, and hula hoop flow!
Brian Herbel
Brian hails from Wyoming and has lived in western Montana for 22 years, 8 of those in the Bitterroot Valley. He is the owner of Rabbitbrush Archaeological Services and shared owner/operator of a small farm in Victor called Verdure Pastures with his partner Jen Lucco and son Clancy. He enjoys skiing, baking, swimming in the river, and playing music as one of the Bear Creek Boys, among other things.
Zayne Jensen
Zayne grew up Western Montana and moved to Hamilton in 2019. He has always been an outdoor enthusiast, and spent his youth hunting, hiking, and camping. He works as a UPS Driver; a true extrovert, he loves getting to meet people all over town and will strike up a conversation with anyone. After taking over the West Fork delivery route in the spring of 2023 he learned how to fly fish, and now spends his lunch break knee deep in the river! Conservation has always been a priority for him, and he is enthusiastic to share the experiences and lessons he learns from spending so much time along the Bitterroot – and how to take care of his favorite corner of the world.
Christine Lawson
Christine grew up in Houston exploring the local bayous, camping in the woods and swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. She has been lucky to grow up with outdoor-loving parents who took her on long summer trips out West which helped to cultivate her deep infatuation with the Rocky Mountains. The day after graduating college she hopped on a plane and flew to Montana where she joined the Montana Conservation Corps in Missoula MT to do trail work and restoration work alongside other nature-loving folks. That move led to two more degrees – one in restoration ecology and another in forestry – from the University of Montana along with experiences working for the Nez Perce Tribe Watershed Division, the U.S. Forest Service , and Great Bear Native Plants. Now she runs a plant management company in the Bitterroot valley with her husband Joel where they strive to help different land owners move towards more resilient plant communities through smart weed management and native revegetation. She’s acutely aware of how important clean and sufficient water is to the Bitterroot’s plants and people and is excited to help the Bitterroot Water Partnership advance local watershed restoration and education initiatives. When she is not talking or thinking about plants you can often find her hiking or cross-country skiing in the mountains with her dogs, boating the rivers of Montana, coating herself with dirt in her ever-expanding gardens or curled up somewhere reading a good book.
Katie Woods
Katie lives in Hamilton with husband Taylor and their daughter Remi. Born and raised in West Virginia, she carries a deep love of rivers and the outdoors, working as a whitewater raft guide there for many years.
In addition to her role as a BWP River Ambassador, Katie volunteers with Ravalli County Search and Rescue and patrols at Lost Trail. She owns and is lead instructor for First Aid Outdoors, a Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA) licensed training company. You can find her courses locally and throughout the US. Katie started instructing yoga in 2017. Her classes are for “every body” and she loves teaching outside.
In her spare time — with Remi usually in tow (and sometimes two dogs)— she likes to walk (while listening to audiobooks or podcasts), hike, bike, and float as many different river sections as she can! As Remi gets older, she looks forward to getting back into puzzles, learning how to garden, making jewelry, and reading an actual book.
Corbin Shriner
Corbin grew up in Cheyenne, WY, went to the University of Wyoming, Go Pokes!, and moved to MT once he was tired of the wind! He became involved in conservation for the community but mostly because he loves to fish and hike and want to keep these areas around for a long, long time. Corbin loves the river, from fishing to taking a lawn chair and relaxing with a few good people, it takes any day and makes it 10x better.