Lisa Docken, Executive Director
Lisa has been with us since October 2019, and has a Masters in Animal Physiology and Ecology from Western University, Ontario Canada. She is working on completing her PhD in Arctic Wildlife from Trent University, Ontario Canada. Weekend activities include boating, fishing, hiking, camping, and enjoying a subsistence lifestyle. Evenings are spent spinning yarn, knitting, and finding fun ways to cook the great wild foods of Alaska. “The CRWP is an amazing place to work. Our work is directed at keeping the Copper River watershed healthy for all people to enjoy” – Lisa
Kate Morse, Program Director
Kate officially joined the CRWP team in September 2008, soon after receiving her Masters in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management from University of Oregon. She was quick to implement her skills in collaborative processes and facilitation to help develop and sustain new programs for the CRWP, including our watershed-wide education efforts, Copper Basin invasive plant program, and other various tourism and stewardship-based projects. She also helped to fine tune our organizational membership and business sponsor programs, helping grow the organization to where we could hire a full-time operations manager. Today she is the lead on fish habitat restoration projects in addition to continued efforts to engage everyone in exploring and connecting to their watershed. She is also a full-time mom to twin daughters and enjoys spending her time off hiking, boating, camping, harvesting wild foods, and looking for adventure with her family.
Shae Bowman, Operations Manager
Shae Bowman started working at CRWP in 2015 as an Americorps volunteer after graduating from the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a Bachelors in Biological Sciences. After a year of service, she was hired as the Operations Manager. As the Operations Manager, she has worked on many projects – everything from renovating the gift shop to revamping the net recycling program to planning clean-up events. Shae’s hobbies include hiking, biking, skiing, snowboarding, knitting, gardening, cooking, card games, and raising chickens. “I enjoy working at CRWP because it is a place for creative problem solving and partnerships when it comes to maintaining the watershed as an intact and functioning ecosystem.”
Ashley Taylor, Watershed Restoration & GIS Staff
Ashley started working for CRWP in 2019. She has worked in the Invasive Plant Program as a field technician and coordinator as well as the web and technical communications person. She now works in the Fish Passage and Restoration Program as the GIS and Data Specialist. She has a Master’s degree in GIS and Web Map Programming and 9 years of environmental fieldwork experience. She enjoys working for CRWP and finding new ways to apply GIS and spatial thinking to projects throughout the watershed. When not in the office, she loves outdoor activities and exploring Alaska with her partner and their pup, Hobbes.
Chris Iannazzone, Watershed Stewardship Program Manager
The CRWP staff and board welcome our newest full-time staff to the team, Chris Iannazzone. Chris is the Copper River Watershed Projects’ first Watershed Stewardship Program Manager. Chris lives in Cordova and has a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability and the Environment from Florida International University, a Certificate in Ecosystem Services: A Method for Sustainable Development from the University of Geneva and a Certificate in Climate Change Mitigation in Developing Countries from the University of Cape Town. With a passion for the environment and youth education, a model of stewardship for the watershed, and quite the green thumb, Chris will be continuing the invasive plant management program, growing our habitat restoration efforts and assisting with important efforts in inspiring others to connect and steward the region.
Michelle McAfee, Communications Specialist
Michelle McAfee started working with CRWP in the summer of 2022. She came aboard as the Communications Specialist to manage our social media and help with newsletters, emails, and updating the website. Eleven years ago she fell in love with the Copper Basin and McCarthy, where she spent most of her summers. Working remotely from Southern Oregon where she is based, allows her to stay more deeply connected to this rare Copper River watershed. She is also a writer and photographer, and loves hiking, camping, and gardening. She has a flock of chickens, a herd of two cats, and a homestead full of deer and other wild animals.
Kirsti Jurica, Hydrology & Watershed Restoration Staff
Alexis Cooper, Accounting
Riki Ott
Founding Director
Kristin Carpenter
Founding Executive Director
Other Very Important Staff Members
Maddie
Maddie (Lisa’s dog) is an office dog, sometimes made to wear hats and usually in need of a good haircut. She loves spending her work days greeting visitors, sleeping in the sun and generally spreading snuggles. When she isn’t napping or looking for a pet she loves boating, digging in the sand and playing fetch. Come by the office anytime to see her; she loves meeting new people.
Waylon
Waylon, Kate’s “first born”, was trained early on to be a super napper in the office, lazily greeting visitors, although more enthusiastically those with treats in their pockets (Thanks UPS!). However, in the field he is a go-getter, usually the first to find the next minnow trap, and often the most eager to see what we caught.
Doris Burke Hamm
Doris Burke Hamm (Shae’s dog) is a Karelian Bear Dog and the office puppy. Still learning the ropes of being an office pup, Doris greets each and every office visitor with enthusiastic wiggles. When not bothering the other office dogs with chatter, cuddles, and kisses, Doris has a large array of office toys to choose from and enjoys playing with as many as possible at the same time. During office hours, Doris loves to lounge atop her kennel, using it more like a hammock, to supervise office activities, nap, and play with more toys.
Hobbes
Hobbes’s (Ashley’s pup) favorite activities include: eating, outdoor activities, whining to play outside, and sleeping (in that order). The winter of 2020/2021 has been his first snow experience and it’s safe to say he’s a powder hound in the making. He’s taken quickly to ice skating and skiing and has dreams of skijoring one day. Until then, he is happiest running free outside and it is best for all involved to never leave him behind on an adventure.
Zorra
