Our Staff

Kathryn Lynch is co-coordinator of the Environmental Leadership Program. Katie is an environmental anthropologist who has a strong commitment to participatory, collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches in both her research and teaching.   She has worked in Peru, Ecuador, Indonesia and the United States examining issues of community-based natural resource management. This has included examining the role of medicinal plants in Amazonian conservation efforts and the potential for engaged environmental education to promote conservation.   Before joining UO she was a researcher at the Institute for Culture and Ecology, where her research focused on the relationships between forest policy and management, conservation of biodiversity, and nontimber forest products.   She has also facilitated various courses and workshops that examine the nexus between environmental and cultural issues.

Kirsten Rudestam is co-coordinator of the Environmental Leadership Program. She has worked in India, Canada and the American West as an environmental educator, naturalist and backcountry guide, and sees service learning and experiential education as effective methods that deepen and facilitate interdisciplinary environmental learning. Her principal areas of research examine water issues in the American West as well as public perceptions of space and place. She holds a master's degree in Environmental Science from the University of Oregon and has worked as a researcher for the Climate Leadership Initiative and Decision Research. Kirsten works concurrently for the City of Eugene's Outdoor Program, where she teaches outdoor education and leads wilderness trips.

Steve Mital is the founder and co-coordinator of the Environmental Leadership Program. He has more than ten years of experience developing and managing experiential learning programs. His tasks include developing the ELP curriculum, training and supervising students, working with clients, and fundraising.

Steve holds master's degrees in Community and Regional Planning and Environmental Studies.