Member Bios

Karrie graduated in 2008 with a degree in Mathematics from Earlham College and found a job researching in Cornell University's Space Sciences Department.  She worked for a year, and then felt compelled to move outdoors.  In June 2009, Karrie set out to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia, and five months later accomplished her goal.  Fueled by the experience, Karrie and seven friends took to canoes in 2010, and traveled the Mississippi River from Minnesota to New Orleans.  They created a charity called “Paddle to Haiti” and were able to donate over $13,500 to a grassroots non-profit on Haitian soil.   Working on and off to support these trips, Karrie ultimately jumped at the chance to combine work and play and began working in conservation, joining a Colorado trail crew in 2011.  By 2012, she had also worked on two sustainable farms, as a mechanic for her family's business, and as a teacher.  But when Spring rolled around, it was time to go again and in September 2012, Karrie and her partner Jake finished hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada.    Now, Karrie is excited to be back in Pennsylvania, her stomping grounds.  This year she is Group Against Smog and Pollution’s SCA Green Cities Fellow.  And next year? Well, we’ll just have to see! 

Jen graduated from the University of Florida in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, and minors in business administration and sustainability studies.  This Florida native comes to the SCA with a diverse background in journalism, non-profit management, and corporate sustainability.  Throughout the past five years, Jen’s wanderlust has triggered her zeal for all things food, travel, and biodegradable. She is particularly inspired by the infinite ways that sustainability connects communities around the globe, especially in Pennsylvania’s coolest city (sorry Philly!). While she overcomes her qualms about biking the Greenfield slopes, she plans to run her first 5K race, mature as a Pittsburgh locavore, and (hopefully) master public transit, as well as Adobe Creative Suite. As the SCA Green Cities Fellow for Highmark, Jen works to engage a culture of sustainability throughout Highmark locations in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Delaware.

I was in the Army for six years as a cavalry scout I got out in the fall of 2012 and began attending college. Recently I discovered the Veterans Fire Corps and have been enjoying the courses offered by the SCA and Forest Service. After completion of sawyer training I am looking forward to a summer in the Bighorn National Forest with the rest of the crew.

  I, Erik Morinaga, am a Prior Marine Infantryman from Kaneohe, Hawaii.  I recently arrived in South Dakota to begin Veteran Fire Corps training and follow on assignment to Bighorn, Wyoming.  Spoiled by the sunshine in Hawaii the frosty winds of South Dakota initially caught me unawares.  Fortunately a military grade sleeping bag provided to me from my Team Leader Mike kept me motivated.  Looking forward to a productive summer!

My name is Tyler Barriere.  I got out of the Army in October 2010 and went to college for Natural Resources Conservation and Wildlife Management.  I graduated with an Associate’s degree from Finger Lakes Community College and am working towards my Bachelor’s degree at the State University of New York at Cobleskill.  I worked with the SCA in the summer of 2012 in the Career Discovery Internship Program at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge as a Visitor Services Intern.  I am currently, again, working with the SCA in the Veteran Fire Corps.  I am looking forward increasing my experiences with the SCA and advancing in the conservation field.