With an impressive background in fisheries management and aquatic habitat restoration, Dodson brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the organization. Dodson has been an engaged community member and professional in the field since 2001, making significant contributions to various organizations in Alaska like Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association, Cook Inlet Regional Citizen Advisory Council, and the Kodiak Regional Aquaculture Association. Expressing his enthusiasm for returning full time to the Central Kenai Peninsula, Dodson is eager to leverage his skills and expertise to advance KWF’s initiatives.
Candace brings to the Kenai Watershed Forum over twenty years of experience in the operations of non-profits, working internationally and in the U.S. She began her love affair with the Kenai Peninsula in 1999, when she and her sister decided to visit Alaska for their first annual sisters’ fishing trip. From the first few weeks here, Candace knew she would eventually call the Kenai Peninsula her home.
Now more than a few decades strong, the tradition remains that she and her sister find time to get out on the Kenai and the surrounding waters for their annual trip. And, she officially calls the Peninsula her home.
Ben grew up in Wasilla, Alaska and holds an M.S. in Fisheries from University of Alaska Fairbanks. Benjamin has worked throughout Alaska in diverse natural resource management professions including wildland firefighting, science consulting, and tourism. Outside of Kenai Watershed Forum you can find him working on converting an old bus into an RV, coaching Junior Nordic at Tsalteshi Trails, or watching his dog chase squirrels. He loves reading and hearing about Alaska history.
Brandon was born and raised in Michigan, and attended Michigan State University for a double major in Environmental Studies and Sustainability & Sustainable Parks Recreation and Tourism with a minor in Environmental Economics. Brandon has enjoyed the outdoors for as long as he can remember, with his favorite hobbies being fishing and hunting. Brandon started as a KWF intern in 2021, but has since made the jump to a full time employee and Alaskan, managing the Stream Watch program. Brandon spends most of his time working and interacting with various volunteers on projects including trash clean up, education/outreach, and stream bank remediation and protection.
Brandon also has a new found passion for volleyball and can be found playing or training when he isn’t busy getting lost in the woods.
Katey is originally from Fort Worth, TX and attended college at Chaminade University of Honolulu, where she majored in Environmental Studies and Mass Media Communications. Starting in 2017, she spent her summers doing seasonal environmental education work on the Kenai Peninsula, and made the full move to Alaska in the spring of 2021. Katey has also worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and non-profits in Wisconsin, Louisiana, and Hawaii connecting people of all ages to the natural spaces around them. Katey’s passions include hiking, fly-fishing, wild food foraging, watercolor painting, Bikejoring with her dog Bella, and sitting in pretty places.
Born and raised in Soldotna, Cierra has always felt a strong connection to the Kenai Peninsula and the community that surrounds it. In her role with the Kenai Watershed Forum, she looks forward to building relationships and creating opportunities for people to engage with the organization’s mission.
With a background in communications, fundraising, and event coordination, Cierra brings a creative approach to sharing KWF’s work and building its impact.
Outside of the office, you’ll often find her kayaking nearby lakes, walking with one of her three dogs, or exploring and supporting the local businesses that make this community so special.
Lola is from Mora, Minnesota. She is a freshman at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, majoring in Environmental Biology, and is on the Track and Field team, Ski Club, and Biology Club. She loves being outside, whether it’s hiking, camping, snowboarding, or kayaking. She also enjoys traveling around the world; some of her favorite places are New Zealand, Germany, and Peru.
Sam is a student at the University of Washington studying Environmental Science. He is from Grantham, New Hampshire. He loves working outside in the wilderness and is so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Kenai Watershed Forum.
Caitlyn Eskelin
Summer Camp Assistant
Profile
Caitlyn was born and raised in Soldotna, Alaska, and is currently a junior at KCHS. She loves volunteering for local organizations, going to the Wednesday Market, and traveling even if it’s for work. Caitlyn’s plan for the future is to choose a major in Education or Business. Whichever it is, she hopes her time at the Kenai Watershed Forum will inspire her.
Field Dogs
You may see our field dogs in the office or out doing fieldwork with our scientists!
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