Mikala Waldrup

Western Pond Turtle Rehabilitation Program Coordinator                                          .      The Evergreen State College, MES

Mikala originally hails from St. Louis, Missouri. After earning their undergrad degree in Recreation Administration, they joined an AmeriCorps program focusing on conservation, disaster relief, and wildland firefighting. It was during their three years with AmeriCorps St. Louis that Mikala found their love for conservation-based work. They really enjoy habitat restoration and removing invasive species to make space for native plants to flourish. After AmeriCorps, Mikala continued their experiential learning as a Seasonal Naturalist with Missouri State Parks. There they assisted with prescribed burning, glade and woodland restoration, native Missouri mussel surveying, and interpretive programing. Mikala recently moved to Olympia, Washington to pursue their Master of Environmental Studies at The Evergreen State College and has been enjoying exploring the PNW. When not working, Mikala enjoys cooking their favorite vegan recipes, fostering cats and kittens, and doing yoga.