NORTH FORK JOHN DAY
WATERSHED COUNCIL
Staff
Kristen Walz,
Executive Director
Kristen was born and raised in Iowa. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology at Portland State University. Kristen moved to Eastern Oregon after working in the Bering Sea as a marine fisheries biologist. She joined the Council in 2017 as a Restoration Project Coordinator. Since then she has taken on the roles as Restoration Program Coordinator and JDBP Coordinator. Kristen has a passion for conservation. She values creating partnerships with a variety of stakeholders as the Council works to implement programs that restore and protect the North Fork John Day River watershed. In her free time, Kristen can be found exploring the beautiful, rugged Eastern Oregon landscape with her husband and their dogs.
Silke Meinl,
Finance & Operations Manager
Silke was born and raised in Northern Bavaria, Germany and moved to the US in 2006.
She went to vocational school in Germany for retail, sales, and bookkeeping, and brings a background with her in customer service, hospitality, property management and the HOA field. Silke moved to Grant County in 2020 and joined our team as Finance Manager in 2022.
In her free time, she can be found hunting, working with her dogs, exploring Eastern Oregon, or traveling with her husband.
Sidney Noble
Ecological
Restoration
Program
Manager
Sidney grew up in the rolling hills of central Virginia and developed an early fascination with weather and ecosystems, which later inspired his career in ecology. He holds a Ph.D. in Biology from Kansas State University, where his research focused on the effects of bison grazing and fire on woody encroachment and plant communities in Great Plains grasslands. Sidney brings a strong background in plant ecology, land management, and ecological restoration from his time with the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and his fieldwork across the West ranging from mountain streams to sagebrush-steppe. He joined the Council in 2025 as a Restoration Project Manager. Sidney is passionate about applying science to on-the-ground restoration and values working closely with landowners and community partners. He is excited to have an on the ground impact and build meaningful relationships across the watershed. Outside of work, he enjoys ultrarunning, backcountry adventures, and botanizing throughout the Blue Mountains.
Jenowa Larson
Restoration &
Operations
Coordinator
Jenowa Larson is the Restoration & Operations Coordinator for the North Fork John Day Watershed Council, with expertise in environmental communication and conservation supporting environmental monitoring and restoration across diverse natural environments. She translates environmental science into accessible, community-based stewardship, coordinating with diverse stakeholders, including tribal partners, on environmental programming through data collection, education, and public engagement. Previously, she served as the Research Station Coordinator at Santa Rosa Island Research Station, where she facilitated community relations and science education. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Communication from California State University Channel Islands.
Eamon Peterson
Restoration Project
Manager
Growing up in the Midwest, he was privileged to have many nearby rivers and lakes to explore with his friends and family. With frequent visits to Lakes Michigan, Superior and Huron, he began to develop a deep reverence for all water resources which eventually evolved into a lifelong passion. After high school, he attended the University of Montana for his undergraduate degree in Aquatic Ecosystems Science and Restoration where he learned a lot about the many challenges facing water resources in the American west. Following his BS and after a few years of working as a Natural Resources Maintenance worker for the city of Missoula, serving on the Missoula County Aquatic Invasive Species District Board, and working for a private land surveying company, he went back to school at the University of Wisconsin where he gained a MS in Water Resources Management. He moved to Grant County soon after graduating where his wife works for ODF. When he is not working for NFJDWC, you can find them and their dog, Huck, enjoying the expansive natural resources the area has to offer.
North Fork John Day Watershed Council
Strategic Action Plan 2022-2032
NFJDWC Board of Directors
​​
​John Zakrajsek - Board Chairman, La Grande, OR
John is a biologist with the Umatilla Tribes. He brings a vast knowledge of project implementation and support to the project. His background will assure financial efficiency for the Council.
​
Shirley Titus - Treasurer, Ritter, OR
Shirley has experience in corporate business and has been a Board Member on several other Boards. She is a landowner in Grant County and is very interested in the conservation of natural resources, wildlife habitat improvement and restoration projects.
​
​​Reiba Carter Smith - Director, Long Creek, OR
Reiba is a retired teacher who supports our education and outreach operations. She has taught and helped to raise many of the residents of our immediate area. She has a deep awareness of the strengths and conflicts for the local population.
​
​​Karen Flagg- Director, Pendleton, OR
Karen grew up in California, exploring the Sierras and deserts of the region. In 1999 Karen and Don founded Growing Solutions Restoration Education Institute to inspire and teach students how to improve environmental health. As an instructor at Santa Barbara City College Karen has had the opportunity to work with many students, encouraging them to choose a career in natural resources.
​
​Don Hartley - Director, Pendleton, OR
Don was born in San Diego California. In 1997 Don began teaching at Santa Barbara City College, met Karen and they founded Growing Solutions Restoration Education Institute. He has been involved in restoration projects for the last twenty years with a focus on producing native plants. Currently, Don and Karen manage timber, grassland and farmland in Northeastern Oregon.
​
Dan Kreamier - Director, John Day, OR
Dan is the owner of the Long Creek Mercantile. He was the owner and operator of a Fishing Guide Business for Salmon Steelhead and Sturgeon for 17 years and brings 30 years of experience in Financial Services with him.
​
Mike Titus - Director, Ritter, OR
Mike brings experience in construction, masonry, farming and timber management with him, and was a Board member on several Boards during his career. He is very interested in Conservation, improving wildlife habitat and the work the NFJDWC is doing.
​
​​
​
​
​
​