2020 Monument Research Symposium organizers and student board members Monique Streit and Courtney Buel with chair Terry Dickey and Jackie Markin, co-chair (2018-2020). WChin photo

Just two weeks before the Covid pandemic hit Ashland in March 2020, the Friends last gathered together publicly as a group for the annual Monument Research Symposium.

Student board members Courtney Buel and Monica Streit were able to present student researchers from as far away as an Internet café in rural Guatemala via Zoom to the audience sitting in the SOU Science auditorium. Four student researchers, funded by a Friends Research Fund were presenting their final reports about the Monument.

At the end of her term in August 2020, Courtney Buel reported, "I was able to join the Friends of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument as a student board member during my 18-month stint at Southern Oregon University while pursuing my graduate degree in Environmental Education. As soon as the opportunity was presented to me, I knew this was an experience that I could not pass on."

"As a board member, I've been able to lend my hand in various projects. My most esteemed moments were working with fellow student board member Monique Streit to plan, coordinate, and host the 2020 Monument Research Symposium. I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with the four brilliant student researchers that presented at this Symposium."

In the belief that students can expand the leadership capacity of community and public lands, the Friends have recruited and appointed a student board member since 2015.

Students bring their own life experiences and perspectives to advance Friends capacity to advocate on behalf of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Alexandra Harding, the first student board member initiated the first Giving Tuesday fundraiser for the Friends.

Former Sierra Club staff member Shannon Browne advanced from being a student board member to become the Friends' first executive director. She coordinated Friends' advocacy efforts with other community groups during the campaign for the 2017 Monument expansion. She went on to recruit and mentor students to work on the Friends Hike & Learn, BioBlitz and the Friends' first Gala fundraiser in 2019.

SOU graduate students Jacqueline Blanchette and Laney Marcotte joined the Friends Board in October. The ongoing pandemic requires everyone to conduct business with an abundance of caution. Meetings are conducted socially distanced. Jacqueline graduated from SOU with a B.S. in Environmental Science & Policy and a Certificate in Sustainability Leadership. Elaney has taught students about science and the environment through place-based education in Texas and Wyoming. Jacqueline and Elaney are working toward an MS in Environmental Education at SOU.

Courtney reflected on her year, "This experience proved the impact the Friends Research Fund has in supporting budding scientists and jump-starting their careers. In addition to the Symposium, I participated in the Fall Birds Hike and Learn, where I saw my first Hairy Woodpecker!"

"Additionally, I was able to help plan and put on the Friend's first Gala event, an exciting and successful time. While my time with the Friends is short, it was still nonetheless jam-packed."

In December 2020, student board members Courtney Buel and Monique Streit will each earn a M.S. in Environmental Education as well as a Certificate in Nonprofit Management at Southern Oregon University.