Ren Stone has been working as Sierra Streams’ water quality lab manager since Fall 2022 as a part of the Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership (SNAP). With their SNAP term coming to a close last month, we’d like to take the time to recognize them as a full-fledged staff member at Sierra Streams starting this October!
Ren has spent the last year running SSI’s regular water quality monitoring program. Between volunteer coordination and general lab operations, they’ve greatly appreciated the opportunity to be an integral part of this 20-year-long endeavor that is at the core of our mission as an environmental organization.
One of the most rewarding things for Ren in their role here, has been all of the nourishing relationships they’ve formed within the community that comprises Sierra Streams. They’ve found that Sierra Streams often acts as a nexus for like-minded people in the Sierra Foothills, which has been of great benefit to them in spite of our rural surroundings.
Despite this rich social network, volunteer outreach and engagement has been difficult since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and new faces have been hard to come by.
In response to this challenge, they are looking forward to playing a more active role in community engagement and revitalizing our organization as a home base for everyone interested in water and the natural world.