Team Bios

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Adam Davis-Turak

80e58692361617b3bc8c92f08981eec8.media.400x300 Adam Davis-Turak is a senior Political Science and Environmental Science Major. He’s interested in resource conservation and the interaction between public policy and the environment and how to ensure that our natural resources are intact for future generations. He joined the ELP program to gain experience in the field as well as participate in a team-oriented project. In his free time he enjoys traveling and being outdoors, specifically mountain biking, skiing, and backpacking. He was born and raised in Berkeley, CA, and will be graduating from the University of Oregon in December.

Nicole Dwyer

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Nicole Dwyer is studying to be Indiana Jones’ successor. Classes like Applications of a Whip 240, Recognizing Booby Traps 101, and Running from Giant Rolling Rocks 121 help her on her way to that goal. “I think I’ll do pretty well, I don’t have Indy’s inherent fear of snakes to hold me back.” Her major is Anthropology specializing in Archaeology, with a minor in Geography emphasizing GISci. Last summer, she did a dig in the Yukon; she found 10,000 year old bison bones and several biface points. This summer, she’s heading out to the Ashley National Forest in Northeastern Utah, to do surveying and some excavation for three months. She also likes hiking, biking, camping, shakespeare, creative writing, billiards, and rock ‘n’ roll. “I’m what you might call a “Jack of all Trades,” or maybe Jill?” After another year of school, she’ll either go to graduate school or the Peace Corps, probably both in the long run. “Just doing what I can to avoid a nine to five desk job…P.S. I like turtles too.”

Ben Teton

137088ac2d8d487fbc94374eca677247.media.300x404 Ben Teton is an environmental studies major here at the UO. He got involved with the ELP to gain experience with environmental field monitoring techniques at the professional level. “I also feel a certain affinity for the turtle as I too love swimming in deep cool water, walking slowly through the woods and basking on rocks in the sun whenever possible.” He had a pet turtle when he was ten years old, but [the turtle] escaped. He enjoys outdoor activities and the survivorship of endangered species.

Daniel Ohrn

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Daniel Ohrn is a Junior at the University of Oregon majoring in Environmental Science. Academically, he is interested in political, social, and technological issues regarding sustainability. Otherwise, his interests include soccer, guitar, backpacking, fly-fishing, and hiking. He is working toward a career that allows him to work outdoors in a meaningful way. The ELP western pond turtle project is an important step to achieving that goal, but more importantly, he gets four credits for wandering around in the woods every Friday. “If you see a turtle, let me know; I still need to put that on my resume.”

Ashley Pheil

ef27ab46edfeab041e699a4cb3d04bb1.media.300x400Ashley Pheil is a junior in the Clark Honors College and an Environmental Science major. Her main interests are in ecology and conservation, which influenced her decision to participate in the western pond turtle monitoring project. She also loves being outdoors and working hands on. In her spare time she enjoys reading, backpacking, playing the piano, and riding horses. “I look forward to the opportunities that this field-based ELP experience will provide me in the future.”

Michele Stivers

 a22a2de18e2c472ac5493d561fc5f1b3.media.400x299 Michele Stivers is a senior at the University of Oregon with a major in environmental science and a minor in math. She is interested in everything environmental including conservation biology, alternative energy, river system hydrology, and geology. “Working on the Western Pond Turtle project has been an excellent way to get my hands, hair, and clothes dirty out in the field. Collaborating with the BLM to conserve the habitat of a threatened species has been a rewarding opportunity.” In her spare time she likes hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, African dancing, cooking vegan, juggling, and training for the revolution. After graduation, she plans to take two years off to snowboard and travel before devoting herself to the Peace Corps. Her favorite ninja turtle is Donatello and her favorite pizza topping is artichoke heart.

Matt Smith

MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA Matt Smith is a sixth year senior in geography with an emphasis in GIS and remote sensing. He has extensive knowledge in Oregon geology, geomorphology and various environmental geography topics. He was born and raised in Portland,Oregon. His career interest is in using GIS for natural and renewable resource management. He would like to work globally in remote villages doing sustainable development related work. He enjoys being outdoors and exploring wilderness as much as he can. “Turtle Power!!”

William Truce

Project facilitator