Member Bios

Hello, my name is Maxwell Markley. I am a student at North Carolina State University studying Biology and Botany. I chose to participate in the SCA Native Plant Corps because I love the outdoors and thought it would be a great experience to improve on that knowledge and develop my professional and leadership skills. So far I am enjoying my time at the Superior national Forest and am looking forward to the rest of the summer.

I was born in upstate New York and recently graduated from Binghamton University with a degree in Biology concentrating in ecology evolution and behavior. I got interested in conservation while studying ecosystems in Costa Rica and participating in local reforestation projects. Because of my interest in conservation I am excited to dedicate my efforts to conservation in Cuyahoga National Park. This is the first SCA program that I am involved in and hope this starts a long career of conservation work.

Hello, my name is Andrew Wuest. I will be working with the Fire Monitoring team in Athens, Ohio for my first internship with the SCA. I am from Oregon City, Oregon and am a recent college graduate from the University of Portland. I graduated with a double degree in Environmental Ethics and Policy & Spanish. I am really excited to be working along side with the National Forest Service and more excited to be putting my studies to good use this summer. This opportunity will be provide great experience learning and exploring another area of the United States and will be a guiding light for future personal and career goals.

This is Tyler's first year as a Project Leader with the SCA Conservation Corps Native Plants. His background is based in Environmental Science, with degrees in Environmental Systems and Urban Studies and Planning from the University of California San Diego.

Tyler has worked with various conservation organizations in the past and has traveled the world to learn more and support conservation/restoration efforts. Past projects include work in the North Island of New Zealand, in the rainforests of Belize and in canyon communities in Mexico. Projects he has been involved with range from native habitat restoration, invasive species management, trail building, environmental/outdoor education and community development.

Tyler enjoys getting into the field and all the tough jobs that come along with it. Hiking, backpacking, camping and many other outdoor activities are some of the hobbies on his favorite list. He is happy to be working with Cuyahoga Valley National Park, wants to improve upon his leadership skills, hopes to learn more about the local issues the Park faces and to help out wherever he can.

"Life is an adventure"

Hello. My name is Stephanie Orlando and I am the Project Leader for the 2010 Botany Restoration Team in Grand Marais, MN. I am originally from Milwaukee, WI but have been living and traveling in different states for the past six years. I graduated from the University of Tampa with a BS in Biology in May 2008 and have basically been with the SCA ever since. It was during my senior year there that I stumbled upon a poster for the SCA in a seldom used hallway of the Science Wing. And from that moment on, my life was changed. I joined the SCA in 2008 and by fall I was a Crew Member for the Native Plant Corps in Yuma, AZ at Imperial NWR and then joined the New Hampshire Conservation Corps in 2009. I am excited to be returning to the SCA as a first time Project Leader and cannot wait start working in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness!