Member Bios

Nat was born and raised in Virginia. Loving his home state, he moved a short distance away from his amazing family and went to James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA where he obtained a degree in Geographic Science and, more importantly, was introduced to experiential education and outdoor adventure. He started with SCA's National High School Program in the summer of 2010 and has been able to work and play in some spectacular parts of the country; this will be his second season with the Idaho AmeriCorps Program. When he isn't working or learning a new skill, Nat can be found partaking in a variety of activities. Inside he can be found curled around a hot cup of tea, reading a good sci-fi novel, napping, or pretending to play a musical instrument. Out of doors he enjoys hiking, trail running, rock climbing, mountain biking, snow playing, fishing, putterdinkin', and playing yard games.
 

Nat Elliston
SCA Idaho AmeriCorps
Project Leader
2970 Panther Creek Road, Challis, ID 83226
 
Cell: (760)780-8039
Office: (208) 756-5269
nelliston@thesca.org

I am Josh Avery - Project Leader - Student Conservation Association - Veteran Fire Corps 2 - Arapaho National Forest - 2013 Season - Granby, CO. Please allow me to introduce myself and thank you for your interest in our program. I currently reside in Missoula, Montana. I am a 6 year veteran wildland firefighter. I am honored to be involved in this seasons program and I look forward to the upcoming seasons various projects. I take great pride in treating life with respect and working to ensure personal and professional growth, for anyone I encounter and work with. I have a genuine love, respect and passion for life in particular the outdoors. I adhere to high personal and professional standards and expect the same from my crew, to ensure successful completion of our projects and cultivating fulfilling life experiences. I am friendly and outgoing, my mission is for our crew to have a productive, safe and exciting season.

Yahsef Johnson is a 5-month Corps member from New York. Yahsef studies at The City College of New York and is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in the biology field. In the near future Yahsef wants to earn a Master’s degree with a concentration in microbiology. Ultimately, his dream is to become a professor. Yahsef strongly believes in renewable energy and thinks there is a bright future for alternate sources of energy.
Yahsef is very enthusiastic when it comes to studying animals and plant species. It is important to know the organisms around you and how they fill each and every ecological niche. Yahsef endorses that knowledge is power, and as a community, we all have a responsibility to use such power to conserve and protect the environment whenever and wherever we can.

Patricio Portillo comes from Pittsburgh where he has spent the past year working with teenagers. He helped run an afterschool program with NLA and was the JV soccer coach at Taylor Allderdice. Patricio received a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Temple University and plans on going to graduate school for Natural Resource Economics. In his free time he enjoys reading and playing sports, in particular soccer, basketball, and tennis. He also enjoys traveling and has spent time in Central America, Europe and the Middle East; his next stops are Egypt and Japan.

Alex is a 23 year old from New Jersey. He is really excited for his tenure with the Student Conservation Core because he has always been passionate about conservation, education, and community service. He really enjoys running, reading, and rocking-out; and he cannot wait to do his part in the movement to maintain one of America’s great gems, state parks. After the SCA, he hopes to become a high-school teacher and inspire young minds to study biology, like he did at Brandeis University. He is thankful for this opportunity and he hopes to make a difference.