As a current MES student, I am looking forward to connecting with so many of you who have made it through and found meaningful ways to apply your MES learning to your careers.

I originally graduated Evergreen in 2019 with a dual BA/BS in Environmental Chemistry and Science Communication. After that… well, anyone remember 2020? In case the brain fog got you, that was the year scientists discovered 6PPD-Quinone– the tire chemical (transformation product) responsible for widespread pre-spawn mortality syndrome in Coho salmon. That discovery inspired me to co-found a small grassroots bioremediation organization working with fungi to test amendments to state BMPs for treating stormwater. Eventually we shifted our focus towards expanding access to bio-based solutions for a wider range of pollutants.

Now days, I’m the Program Director for the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team (DERT) advocating for the complete restoration of the Deschutes Estuary and a community managed Deschutes River watershed. I’m also deep in the throes of my thesis. In thesis land, I investigate leverage points throughout the decision-making process surrounding the Capitol Lake/Deschutes Estuary waterbody. Pretty typical MES profile? Big nerd for the small-scale processes, big dreams for the broader systems. Looking forward to meeting you all.

You can find me at the Procession of the Species as one half of a mussel in the DERT Estuary Section. I’ll also be hanging out at the Alley Cafe outside of Traditions to talk about the outcomes of a winter workshop series I’ve been hosting, Community Envisioned Deschutes Estuary. After all that, I’ll be at the 40th Anniversary Reception.

Connect with me at: mackkleiva@gmail.com or on LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/in/mack-kleiva