Dear Nadaka Nature Park Community Members, Partners, and Friends,
After 4 amazing years as the Nadaka Nature Park Coordinator, I am excited to announce that I have accepted a position with East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District as the Community Connections Liaison. I am so grateful for the amazing opportunity to work closely with community, especially in the Rockwood and Wilkes East neighborhoods, Nadaka Ambassadors, Interns, AmeriCorps members, and wonderful community partners. I want to thank Lee Dayfield, Jim Labbe, Gladys Ruiz, Jane Van Dyke, Adam Kohl, Leigh Rapport, everyone at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, Columbia Slough Watershed Council, City of Gresham, and many others who have mentored me over the years.
In my new position as the Community Connections Liaison, I will be working with East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District to support their mission to help people care for land and water. My last day at Nadaka Nature Park will be this Friday, January 25th and I will begin my new position on Monday, January 28th. Jamie Stamberger will be the Interim Nadaka Coordinator until a permanent Nadaka Coordinator is hired. Grace Graham, the Nadaka and Columbia Slough Watershed Council shared Confluence AmeriCorp member, and Jamie will be the main contacts for programming and questions at Nadaka Nature Park. More information about how to contact them and how to stay in contact with me can be found on our website at www.friendsofnadaka.org. Jamie, Grace, and the rest of the Nadaka team are amazing and will do a wonderful job continuing to work with the community to provide programming at Nadaka Nature Park with our great community partners to nurture nature, food, and families!
My time at Nadaka has been a life changing journey. There are so many things I want to say, people I want to acknowledge, and stories to tell. The most important part of this position for me has been the opportunity to build lasting bonds and friendships with individuals in the community. I will especially miss working with children and young adults who I have watched grow over the years at Nadaka. This is not goodbye but a change! I am so excited to continue working with our community in a new way!
Yours Truly,
Monica McAllister
