Let’s all welcome Jillian Schuyler (pronounced Jill-ian Sky-lar) to Hoonah! Jillian is HIA Environmental’s 3rd AmeriCorps VISTA and will be focusing on community engagement in natural resources. Expect to see increased and impactful outreach products from HIA as well as new capacity and steps towards our youth-based programs! In times of COVID-19, you don’t necessarily “see people around” as much, but if you do please give Jillian a warm welcome! Below are a few tidbits of information about Jillian. If you’d like to reach out to her to introduce yourself a good place to start is jillian.schuyler@hiatribe.org.
Favorite thing about Alaska?
I love the opportunity Alaska has to offer! Although I have only been to Prince of Wales, Juneau, and now Hoonah, I always find breathtaking moments with nature, amazing friendships, and incredibly kind locals.
Favorite Food?
Pho and Korean Tofu Stew have been staples since my childhood. If I had to choose one meal for the rest of my life it would be Pho!
Why did you choose Hoonah?
When applying to the position I fell for the beautiful Tongass, cute vibrant town, and the vast opportunity within HIA Environmental. The main attraction was the lifestyle of SE Alaskan towns that I came to miss after leaving POW in 2019.
Hometown:
I am from Lisbon, Maryland, went to undergrad in Saint Louis, Missouri, and last lived in Washington D.C. I was lucky to spend a summer season on Prince of Wales collecting Silvicultural data in 2019.
Favorite Animal:
The Capybara is my favorite animal, although I love all animals, this rodent befriends all walks of life in the Australian outback with their calm and accepting demeanor.
What are you excited to do?
I am excited to explore Chichagof and to start work with HIA Environmental. I can’t wait to bushwhack Elephant mountain and venture to False bay! I grew up in a boating family, so I feel right at home being on the coast and in a fishing community. There is a multitude of exciting projects within HIA, but I am interested in expanding my skillset within the Coastal Resiliency Program and Hoonah Native Forest Partnership.
What did you study in college and what was your favorite class?
I earned my Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Science with a minor in Cultural Anthropology in 2019 from Lindenwood University. My favorite class was Environmental Anthropology as it pulled both of my passions into a perfect partnership, lining me up for my desired future career. My fieldwork experience and my EPA contracting pointed me toward a career that values the conservation of natural resources while creating capacity for frontline communities.
Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled to?
I love to travel and one of my favorite places I have visited was Rome, Italy. Although a cliché destination I was able to explore historical places I learned about in school such as the Colosseum, the Sistine Chapel, and Caesar’s courtyard.
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