Cameron Wallenbrock, River Scientist and Education AmeriCorps member
Cameron is the kind of person that seems effortlessly cool and also wildly goofy all at the same time. He’s either dirty in his Carhartt overalls after a long field day, running around teaching students all about science, or mapping with GIS – whatever he is up to, he always seems to be having a great time!
How long have you been working at Sierra Streams, and how did you end up here? I have been with Sierra Streams since October 2018. I am a member of the Sierra Nevada Alliance Program, which pairs AmeriCorps members with environmental non-profits in the Sierra and Sierra Foothills. I became interested in this program through my degree in Geology and my experience with California and Washington Resource Conservation Districts.
Projects you’re working on right now that you’re most excited about: I was previously working with our River Scientist, Justin Wood, on some Lake Wildwood data in R, and I am excited to start using this data in ArcGIS. Additionally, in the education department, we just had our first field trips for the spring here at the Woolman Campus, which was an absolute blast.
What is the most rewarding part of your work? The moment when a student matches my excitement during a lesson. This happens with age ranges from second grade to post-retirement students and it’s a feeling that cannot be matched!
Favorite fieldwork activity: I enjoy really enjoy getting muddy in the field: pulling invasives and planting natives!
Favorite vegetable: The Ruler of Roots; The Humble Sweet Potato. Serve it sweet or savory this bad boy has it all.
What do you do when you’re not working? I’ve spent a lot of time this winter in the climbing gym and playing Dungeon and Dragons with my best friends. Now that the sun (sort of) is out I’m ready to explore as many of the local hiking trails that I can find.
Anything else you’d like people to know? I want to learn everything about Sierra Foothill geology, if you see me out and about give me your favorite rock fact!
Interested in joining Cameron for a fun day of field work or telling him your coolest rock fact? Shoot him an email! cameron@sierrastreams.org