Sam Hillmann
Email: sam@mckenzieriver.orgMeet Sam Hillmann (he/him/his):
Sam grew up in Columbus, Ohio and graduated with a B.A in Environmental Studies from Ithaca College in 2020. Shortly after, he fulfilled his life-long dream of moving to the Pacific Northwest. After a summer as a Wilderness Ranger with the Forest Service in western Washington he moved to Yachats, Oregon and began his year as a RARE service member. During his time at Ithaca College, Sam managed his school’s 560 acre nature preserve and had the opportunity to study sustainable development for a semester in India. Sam loves hiking, backpacking, and all other outdoor recreation and hopes to attend University of Oregon for Graduate School.
Community and Organization:
Rightfully called “the gem of the Oregon Coast” the small town of Yachats (Ya’-Hawts) meaning “dark water at the foot of the mountain” in the language of the Alsea people, the indigenous people who were forced to cede this land, lies along the Pacific 101 Highway. A destination from tourists around the country, Yachats is known for its natural beauty, ample recreation opportunities, and its many festivals.
The McKenzie River Trust is a land trust based in Eugene that works throughout the Willamette Valley and Central Coast region. They focus on protecting special lands, restoring natural systems, and connecting people to the places they care about.
Project:
As the Central Coast Conservation Associate, Sam’s project was twofold: Firstly, he assisted the McKenzie River Trust in identifying priority lands for conservation in the central coast region as well as identifying and connecting with the regional partners and their ongoing projects. Secondly, he worked with the City of Yachats local government and community organizations to address water insecurity in the community by assisting in water planning, organizing community conservation efforts such as collaborative management, and working to advance watershed protection.