STAFF
Elizabeth Ramsey
Executive Director
Elizabeth "Liz" Ramsey moved to Plumas County from Southwestern Michigan in the Fall of 2017 to begin her education at Feather River College, where in 2019 she obtained her Associate degree in Environmental Studies and a Biological Field Technician Certification. While studying at FRC, she received an interdisciplinary education around environmental topics and became fascinated by the Earth’s biodiversity and interconnectedness. She was the president of the Student Environmental Association at FRC and represented the student body on the Sustainability Action Team and the Associated Students of FRC. In Spring of 2022, she graduated from Humboldt State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, emphasizing in Ecology & Conservation Science and Media Production.
Liz joined the PAS team in 2019 as a Biological Field Technician and has since gone on to become Administrative Assistant, Office Manager, Operations Director, Project Manager for wildlife projects, and in 2024 became the organization's Executive Director. Alongside the environmental humanities, Elizabeth is also passionate about indigenous studies and wildlife photography. In her free time she enjoys birding, hiking, making art, and spending time with her husband Marco, step-daughters Eldolene and Basil, three dogs Teddy, Hooter, and Z, and two cats Billie and Neo.
Liz's favorite bird is the Green Heron!
Liz joined the PAS team in 2019 as a Biological Field Technician and has since gone on to become Administrative Assistant, Office Manager, Operations Director, Project Manager for wildlife projects, and in 2024 became the organization's Executive Director. Alongside the environmental humanities, Elizabeth is also passionate about indigenous studies and wildlife photography. In her free time she enjoys birding, hiking, making art, and spending time with her husband Marco, step-daughters Eldolene and Basil, three dogs Teddy, Hooter, and Z, and two cats Billie and Neo.
Liz's favorite bird is the Green Heron!
Lauren James
Field Operations Manager & Development Assistant
Lauren “LJ” grew up among the forests of New England and earned her degree in Wildlife Conservation from Green Mountain College in Vermont before heading west, where Arizona’s deserts and Colorado’s high-country forests captured her heart. After working on fuel-reduction crews and gaining hands-on experience in western ecosystems, she followed her compass north to Plumas County and joined Plumas Audubon Society to pursue her strongest passion: protecting wildlife and the landscapes they depend on.
When she’s not in the field, you can find her on the trails with her dogs, foraging for mushrooms and plants, or reading a good book.
LJ's favorite bird is the Osprey!
When she’s not in the field, you can find her on the trails with her dogs, foraging for mushrooms and plants, or reading a good book.
LJ's favorite bird is the Osprey!
Mikayla Eager
Outreach & Education Coordinator
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Mikayla moved to Plumas County in 2022 after receiving a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Economics with an Emphasis on Ecology and Organismal Biology from the University of Montana. Mikayla grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska, where she spent her summers volunteering at the Alaska Bird Observatory (now the Alaska Songbird Institute). She designed and implemented her first research project on tree swallow nest temperatures when she was in middle school. As an adult, she has 5 years of experience working on conservation crews and as a field research technician.
Mikayla's current favorite bird is the Common Nighthawk! |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mitch Poling
President
Mitch grew up in Michigan and attended Grand Valley State University. There, he studied natural resource management, with an emphasis on wildlife management and ecosystem restoration. He moved here with his partner Jac and their dog Milo, and they pretty quickly became enamored with Plumas County. With its unique ecology and beauty, Mitch decided that this is where he wanted to work to promote the wellbeing of wildlife and the ecosystems that they reside in.
While living here, he has done surveys for Northern goshawks, black-backed woodpeckers, California spotted owls, Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs, willow flycatchers, and carnivores, as well as various habitat restoration and fire management efforts. Mitch started working at the Feather RCD in 2021 as a forestry technician, and continues to work there as a Project Coordinator and GIS Specialist. He enjoys a good hike with their dog Sheikah, trying new recipes, camping, birding, fishing, reading old sci-fi novels, playing guitar, and relaxing by the creek.
Mitch's favorite bird is the Hermit thrush!
While living here, he has done surveys for Northern goshawks, black-backed woodpeckers, California spotted owls, Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs, willow flycatchers, and carnivores, as well as various habitat restoration and fire management efforts. Mitch started working at the Feather RCD in 2021 as a forestry technician, and continues to work there as a Project Coordinator and GIS Specialist. He enjoys a good hike with their dog Sheikah, trying new recipes, camping, birding, fishing, reading old sci-fi novels, playing guitar, and relaxing by the creek.
Mitch's favorite bird is the Hermit thrush!
Darryl Swarm
Vice President
Darryl is the Library Director at Feather River College. |
Terri Rust
Treasurer
The wonders and beauty of Nature have been in Terri’s blood since the day she came into being. Her first vivid memory of a bird sighting was when her father took her, at the age of 4, to do field work on the Los Padres NF and specifically, to observe California condors in the wild. Terri grew up near Yosemite National Park, and enjoyed many outdoor family adventures before heading east to earn a BS in Geology at Duke University, then west to earn a MS in Chemical Oceanography at the University of Hawaii. She spent the next 18 years researching and exploring the world’s oceans while managing a research lab at the University of Hawaii. She came to Plumas County 15 years ago, and worked for several organizations and as an independent consultant before landing at Plumas Corp, a local non-profit who specializes in all aspects of meadow and watershed restoration. Terri spends most of her waking hours outdoors curiously and playfully exploring this beautiful area, with a particular passion for native plants and foraging, and Christmas bird counts. She has been on several Boards and brings that experience and her desire to see this organization thrive and grow for the good of the birds. Her favorite bird is a water ouzel, a.k.a. the American dipper!
Faith Strailey
Secretary
I have lived in Plumas County since 1989. Birds have been a lifelong interest, particularly with regard to the disturbing decline in avian population numbers and species diversity. I have served as a board Member of Plumas Audubon Society since August 2019, but have been a member of the National Audubon Society for over 40 years. As a board member, I co-ordinate Audubon’s participation in the Cal Trans Adopt-A-Highway program and serve on the Education Committee. I graduated from UCLA with degrees in History, Anthropology, and Geography-Ecosystems.
Upon graduating from UCLA, I enrolled in Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to secure teaching degrees in elementary and secondary education. Several years later I obtained a Master’s Degree in Education and Special Education and Resource Specialist teaching certificates at the same institution. Before beginning my career in teaching, I volunteered for VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America). The project to which I was assigned, focused on community center development in low income neighborhoods. The program goal was to provide educational programs that would benefit the community.
I taught for 34 years at all levels of education, 1st – Adult, including 22 years in special education. As a teacher at Quincy Elementary School, I sponsored an extra-curricular club commonly referred to as QEEC (Quincy Elementary Environmental Club) for 12 years. The goal of QEEC was to introduce students to endangered species, why they were endangered, and what we can do to help them. Students also engaged in fund raising activities to support groups who were fighting to save specific species threatened with extinction. I also organized Family Science Night for several years, and organized in-school Earth Day activities for students.
As a PAS member, I wholeheartedly support Plumas Audubon’s involvement in habitat improvement projects, including making forests more fire resilient and conducting population studies as a means to help assess forest and fresh water health. I am deeply encouraged by the decision of the Plumas Unified School District to designate 5th grade as the “Year of the Bird” and the school district’s incorporation of the PAS generated PEEP (Plumas Environmental Education Program) curriculum into the general science curriculum.
Upon graduating from UCLA, I enrolled in Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to secure teaching degrees in elementary and secondary education. Several years later I obtained a Master’s Degree in Education and Special Education and Resource Specialist teaching certificates at the same institution. Before beginning my career in teaching, I volunteered for VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America). The project to which I was assigned, focused on community center development in low income neighborhoods. The program goal was to provide educational programs that would benefit the community.
I taught for 34 years at all levels of education, 1st – Adult, including 22 years in special education. As a teacher at Quincy Elementary School, I sponsored an extra-curricular club commonly referred to as QEEC (Quincy Elementary Environmental Club) for 12 years. The goal of QEEC was to introduce students to endangered species, why they were endangered, and what we can do to help them. Students also engaged in fund raising activities to support groups who were fighting to save specific species threatened with extinction. I also organized Family Science Night for several years, and organized in-school Earth Day activities for students.
As a PAS member, I wholeheartedly support Plumas Audubon’s involvement in habitat improvement projects, including making forests more fire resilient and conducting population studies as a means to help assess forest and fresh water health. I am deeply encouraged by the decision of the Plumas Unified School District to designate 5th grade as the “Year of the Bird” and the school district’s incorporation of the PAS generated PEEP (Plumas Environmental Education Program) curriculum into the general science curriculum.
Piers Strailey
Director At-large
I was born and raised in Pennsylvania but have lived in California most of my adult life. I have an undergraduate degree in International Relations and teaching credentials in English, social studies, and special education. My wife, Faith, and I met as VISTA volunteers on a project in South Carolina in the 1970’s. Quincy has been our home for over thirty years. Plumas County was a deliberate choice: we were attracted by its natural diversity and beauty and its relatively small human population. We are both teachers retired from PUSD. Our two sons graduated from QHS. While teaching, I was actively involved in coaching soccer and contract negotiating on behalf of the teachers’ union. I have been involved in various community organizations and efforts, especially since retiring.
Responding to an appeal from PAS for new board members three years ago, I soon assumed the position of Board President. I believe PAS serves the county’s residents well, whether it be by fostering an appreciation of birds through outings, presentations, and classroom support, by conducting wildlife inventories or a festival to celebrate and protect grebes, or by coordinating large-scale habitat improvement for all living things. I am pleased to be able to work with such an ambitious and effective group.
In my spare time I enjoy a number of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, travel, and gardening. When time allows, carving and woodworking are also of interest.
Responding to an appeal from PAS for new board members three years ago, I soon assumed the position of Board President. I believe PAS serves the county’s residents well, whether it be by fostering an appreciation of birds through outings, presentations, and classroom support, by conducting wildlife inventories or a festival to celebrate and protect grebes, or by coordinating large-scale habitat improvement for all living things. I am pleased to be able to work with such an ambitious and effective group.
In my spare time I enjoy a number of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, travel, and gardening. When time allows, carving and woodworking are also of interest.
Rockel Eriksen
Director At-large
Rockel Eriksen (Rocki) grew up in the Bay Area. She's always been interested in horticulture, studied botany in college, and has worked in and managed nurseries for twenty years prior to moving to Twain where she has her own nursery specializing in California native plants, particularly of the Sierras: California Sister Nursery, “planting with a purpose.” Rocki has always been interested in what insects, birds, and other animals the plants attract and for what reasons. She finds the birds unique to this area fascinating. From hummingbirds gathering fluff from cattails for their nests, to robins gorging themselves on the many types of berries, she loves Plumas County and feels lucky to call it home for the past twenty+ years. Rocki looks forward to being involved in the many beneficial programs of Plumas Audubon Society and learning more about the creatures that fly, hop, slither, and swim all around us in this little slice of paradise that we share.
Anna Thompson
Director At-large
Anna joined the board in October 2025. She is a biology professor at Feather River College.
Join Our Board of Directors
Plumas Audubon Society's (PAS) Board of Directors is seeking new board members!
