STAFF
Logan Zack, our Operations Manager, grew up in Northern California’s Wine Country where he spent a lot of his time in the hills surrounding Sonoma and Napa Valleys, or in the surf down the Mendocino Coast. Always seeing nature as a restorative and essential part of daily life, he spent the majority of his youth and young adulthood away from the noise of the city. Formally educated in communications at the University of Arizona, Logan started his career working in the healthcare sector, eventually accepting the role of Residential Care Director of Formative Care Inc. With the focus of rehabilitation and reintegration of adults who suffered a traumatic brain injury in any stage of life, he assisted individuals in finding fulfillment and developing the skills necessary to regain their independence. In 2011, he enlisted in the Army as a medic and was awarded the 2013 Angel of the Battlefield honor upon returning from deployment. After moving to Lacey in 2022, he was introduced to the Nisqually Reach Nature Center and stepped into the role of operations manager, aligning his desire to work closely with environmental conservation. Logan’s vision for the NRNC is to provide a community gathering place where people can come together, regardless of their needs or limitations, and experience the restorative quality of nature through the preservation of our natural environment. With the collaboration of staff, board members, and volunteers, he is diligently facilitating the cultivation of meaningful experiences through environmental education and citizen science.
Terence Lee, our Science Director, has worked in the nonprofit community in Olympia as a scientist for the last nine years because he is passionate about environmental issues; something that began while growing up in San Francisco. He learned how to fish and garden from his dad, which eventually led to a desire to learn how to take care of the natural world. He earned a BS in Environmental Science from The Evergreen State College with a focus on conservation and marine biology. Saving the world is a big job that nobody can do by themselves, but it can be done when many individuals work cooperatively to accomplish that goal. Terence is inspired to use science as a tool to connect people with nature and teach others new ways to appreciate the natural wonders of the world. One of his dreams is that salmon populations up and down the West Coast will be restored, which will lead to healthier societies, economies, and people. Not surprisingly, Terence loves to fish, garden, read, and cook in his spare time.
Anna Marchand, our Education and Outreach Coordinator, grew up in Seattle, Washington, where she learned to love the outdoors from an early age. She has a BS in biology from the University of Puget Sound and a MS in comparative psychology from the University of St Andrews. Her career has taken her lots of places, from the Hawaiian islands to remote parts of Washington’s Olympic peninsula. Anna is passionate about making science accessible to everyone, and wants to inspire future generations to enjoy and protect Washington’s diverse native ecosystems. Her favorite part of her job is getting to learn every day! Some of her favorite science-y topics are botany, primate behavior, and humpback whale song. When she isn’t working, she can often be found hiking, knitting, or playing Dungeons and Dragons with her friends. Anna is excited to be developing and leading NRNC’s field trip and summer camp programs, as well as coming up with new ways to create community and connect people of all ages with the natural world.
Lindsie Lawson, our Resident Caretaker, has been volunteering with the NRNC since July 2022. She was born and raised near Dallas, TX and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Global Studies, as well as a minor in Business Administration. Following her undergraduate studies, Lindsie spent two years living in Latin America and Southeast Asia. As a non-profit intern in Brazil, she worked in education, rehousing initiatives, and a community garden and café. She then worked in Malaysia as a Fulbright Scholar promoting educational exchange. After returning to the U.S., Lindsie taught for 3 years in elementary and secondary Dual Language programs and made the move to Washington! While she is a desert dweller at heart, she is thrilled to be in the beautiful PNW working within the Nisqually Watershed. In her free time, she enjoys dancing to any beat, studying language, and spending quality time with friends.
Tristan Olson, our Resident Caretaker, currently works with the Nisqually River Foundation as the NRC Program Coordinator. Born and raised in Olympia, he previously served two years as a Fulbright Scholar and Program Coordinator with the U.S. Department of State in Malaysia before joining NRF. While exploring the rainforests of Borneo, Tristan developed a passion for nature conservation and is so excited to be working on protecting the natural landscapes of his home state while helping to spread environmental education. Tristan received his Bachelor of Arts in English Creative Writing from Western Washington University while also studying Business Administration and Film. In his free time he enjoys hiking in the Olympics, kayaking in the Puget Sound, salmon fishing with family out at Sekiu, and any time spent exploring the outdoors.
Matthew Brickey, our Resident Caretaker, currently works as a Security Supervisor for the Washington State House of Representatives. He was born in Flagstaff, Arizona and moved to WA after 12 years in the high desert. Once we moved to WA, my family and I immediately fell in love with the amount of water, flora, and fauna. This love has led to a passion for sharing the outdoors with others and protecting it so others may enjoy it after me. Outside of work you can find me running, practicing photography, enjoying the outdoors anyway I can, and hanging out with friends. Feel free to drop by and convince me that Marmots are better than Pykas, or just say hi.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Katitza (Kat) Holthaus, our President, is a southern California native and has a deep connection to the ocean. She spent countless hours on the beach, immersing herself in the wonders of marine life. Her dedication to serving others and protecting the environment blossomed through her volunteer work with local organizations leading community water quality testing, fish seines, and beach cleanups, igniting her passion for making a positive impact. In 2007, Kat relocated to Washington to pursue her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in environmental policy. Since 2016, she has actively participated in NRNC’s education and citizen science programs, to empower the community through knowledge and engagement. She became a board member in 2017 and president in 2021. Kat supports all aspects of the organization, ensuring that our communities have a platform to learn, thrive, and create meaningful connections within the Nisqually Estuary.
Brian Scott, our Vice President, has spent his life living, working, and travelling around the world as the son of a Navy sailor and then as an adult as an Army officer. After retirement, he and his family decided to set their roots in Washington. Their children, Saint and Jon, attended and loved NRNC’s summer camps. This led to Brian volunteering and becoming a board member. He has enjoyed supporting the education and citizen science programs through leadership of the annual fundraiser “Feast at the Reach”, the co-chair of the Events Committee and as vice president working collaboratively with others to prepare NRNC for a sustainable future as a vital part of the community.
Jessica York, our Treasurer, is originally from Spokane, Washington but now calls Lacey home. Her time with the Army moved her to a variety of places over the years. Jessica enjoys swimming, photography, puzzles, sewing, and game nights with her kids. She is excited to put her accounting and business expertise to great use for a great cause and take on the new role as Treasurer.
Laurel Portner, our Secretary, is a lifelong Washingtonian, growing up along the banks of the Columbia River. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Central Washington University in 2020, with a focus on environmental policy and social justice, as well as a minor in Non-Profit Organization Administration. By day, Laurel manages social media, digital communications, and websites for local businesses and entrepeneurs. She has a passion for conservation and environmental stewardship, and found her way to the Center through her friends who volunteer with us, driven by a desire to give back to the Olympia community. Laurel supports the Center by crafting newsletters as well as helping maintain the website and designing social media content for the NRNC. She is excited to serve on the NRNC board to help continue their mission of protecting crucial habitats like the Nisqually watershed and estuary so future generations can experience them as a healthy and thriving ecosystem.
Daniel Krenz is an 8-year U.S. Army combat veteran, originally hailing from Michigan. Daniel attended Pierce College and The Evergreen State College for his undergraduate science work and received a Master’s of Natural Resources degree from Oregon State University. Daniel is Regulatory Supervisor with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Seattle, specializing in Clean Water Act regulation and tribal treaty rights. Daniel has served in nearly every volunteer capacity since joining the Nature Center in 2008. He has served on the board since 2012, including as president from 2017-2021 and continues serving as its principal grant writer.
Cris Peck originally from Cincinnati, OH, has lived and worked in the Nisqually River watershed since 2012. Cris received his B.A. in Environmental Studies from Hiram College in Northeast Ohio, and is currently the City Manager for Ridwell’s South Puget Sound operations, a company that works to keep hard-to-recycle materials out of the landfills and our waterways through recycling and reusing items like thin plastics, batteries, light bulbs, textiles, and beyond. Cris landed in the PNW in 2012 working for the Nisqually Land Trust – a local non-profit focused on land conservation and habitat restoration throughout the watershed. During his 6 years with the Land Trust, he developed a deep connection to the Nisqually River, Puget Sound, and the communities that comprise this unique and wonderful place. His connection was strengthened when he became Resident Caretaker for the Nature Center in 2013 where he served in this role for 6 years, living and working on-site. Cris furthered his involvement when he became a Board Member in 2016 and served as Vice President of the Board from 2017-2019. The Nisqually watershed and its estuary would not be protected without concerned citizens working together for the benefit of our natural world, and he is honored to be a part of the Nature Center’s mission to help connect and inspire future environmental stewards.
Derek Faust is originally from Pennsylvania and moved to Washington in 2018. He grew up playing, hunting, and fishing in the woods, lakes, and mountain streams. While there were bountiful recreational opportunities, many local streams and rivers in the anthracite coal region of PA were impacted by abandoned mine drainage. In high school, Derek strove to be part of the solution to this and other environmental issues through water quality testing in his high school’s ecology club and volunteer opportunities in boy scouts. He has attended Elizabethtown College, Texas Tech University, and Mississippi State University, earning B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in the field of environmental science, all with the goal of helping undergraduate students learn about and how to better live in concert with the natural environment. He is a faculty instructor at Clover Park Technical College in the Environmental Sciences program with expertise in wetlands, water quality, and ecology. As an educator himself, Derek believes that the overarching NRNC programs of education and citizen science are critical to connecting people with the natural world. He became a board member in 2019 and helps with summer camps and provides advice on the scientific process for citizen science projects. Derek is excited to share his passion for the outdoors and expertise in education and scientific research to help advance the mission of NRNC.
Suzie Scott Suzie Scott got involved with the Nature Center because of her two children. She loves
the outdoors and wanted to instill a desire to preserve our natural resources in her children. She began volunteering after the kids came home and said that they attended “the best summer camp ever.” Suzie has been a nurse for over 30 years and is currently serving as the Chief Nursing Officer for Providence Swedish South Puget Sound area. She holds a BSN from Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia, an MSN from the University of Colorado Health Science Center and a Master of Strategic Studies from the US Army War College. She brings her expertise in organization and strategic planning to the nature center to help contribute to the continued success of the center.
Marianne Smith Marianne Smith joined the NRNC Board in 2023. A Michigan native and alumna (Go Blue!), she enjoys community service and has a lengthy volunteer history, most recently at the Pacific Science Center’s Tinker Tank. Marianne has worked as an emergency department RN extensively in the US and Australia, leaving the hospital setting after receiving her Masters of Applied Science degree in Patient Safety & Healthcare Quality from Johns Hopkins University, joining the Institute for Healthcare Improvement as a Project Director. In this dynamic role she focuses on bringing improvement science to the forefront of operations in population health on a local, national, and global scale. It’s her collaborative and inquisitive nature that brings her improvement mindset to the Center as the organization looks to grow their positive impact on the Nisqually Estuary, communities that surround it, and the abundant wildlife that calls it home.