Our Team
Kris Knight: Executive Director
Kris has spent 20 years working in the field of natural resources on issues related to rivers and watersheds. Kris started working for UDWC in 2019 and before that worked in Washington, Iowa and Kansas. For 11 years, Kris worked for The Nature Conservancy with seven years living in the Skagit River Valley in Washington State, managing collaborative projects and finding common ground between conservation and agricultural interests in the Puget Sound region. Between 2015 and 2019, Kris worked in his home state of Kansas as the Conservation Director for The Nature Conservancy where he launched a new conservation program called Healthy Streams for Kansas and led the creation of the Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park. Kris holds a B.S. degree from Drake University and a M.S. degree in Environmental Science from Iowa State University. Kris met his wife Wendy while previously living in Central Oregon over 20 years ago and they are excited to be back in Central Oregon with their three young boys.
Email Kris | P: 541.382.6103 ext. 1
Kolleen Miller: Education Director
Kolleen has directed education, outreach, and fundraising activities for over 20 years. She has designed, supervised, and taught experiential environmental education courses throughout Alaska, Washington, and Oregon, and worked as the program manager for the Alaska Center for the Environment prior to joining the UDWC in 2002. Kolleen has spearheaded community-based restoration projects, orchestrated large fundraising and outreach events, and designed collaborative conservation education programs throughout Central Oregon. She is committed to developing relationships with community members, local businesses, and donors to raise awareness and support for our restoration, monitoring, and education programs. She is the editor for UDWC’s Upper Deschutes Subbasin Assessment and The Place We Cross the Water: Whychus Creek. Kolleen holds a B.A. from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a M.A. in English Studies with an emphasis in Ecocritical Analysis from Western Washington University. As the Education Director, Kolleen oversees the education and outreach programs for thousands of students and community members each year in addition to providing leadership for fundraising events, corporate sponsorships, and other philanthropic activities in Central Oregon.
Email Kolleen | P: 541.382.6103 ext. 3
Mathias Perle: Habitat Restoration Program Manager
Mathias has a diverse background in project management in environmental and water resource consulting. Before joining the UDWC in 2008, Mathias worked with Newton Consultants, Inc. concentrating on forming strong ties with Deschutes Basin stakeholders and implementing projects in water resources, conservation and groundwater. Mathias holds an M.S. in Hydrologic Sciences and an M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering both from the University of California, Davis and a B.S. in Geology from the University of Delaware.
Email Mathias | P: 541.382.6103 ext. 2
Lauren Mork: Monitoring Program Manager
Lauren came to UDWC from Flagstaff, AZ, where she collaborated with the Grand Canyon Trust and Kaibab National Forest to study the effects of post-fire livestock grazing and management in southwestern forests. Lauren previously worked extensively in outdoor and environmental science education, including seven years with Outward Bound as a course director and instructor, where she facilitated staff and participant groups to develop and achieve common goals and objectives in wilderness, workplace, and family settings. She also worked as a field technician for the Institute for Bird Populations. Lauren holds a M.S. in Environmental Sciences and Policy from Northern Arizona University and a B.A. in French Language and Literature from Earlham College.
Email Lauren | P: 541.382.6103 ext. 4
Casey Schuder: Stream Restoration Project Manager
Casey has spent 13 years in the Deschutes basin working on issues related to fish, wildlife and watershed management. Prior to joining the UDWC in 2023, Casey worked for the Deschutes National Forest for nine years supporting projects monitoring, preserving and restoring critical fish and wildlife habitat. His background also includes advising for natural resource protection during wildland fire and is an active member on the regional scientific SCUBA team. Casey worked with the Native Fish Investigation and Warm Water Fisheries programs for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife from 2012 to 2014. Casey holds a B.S. degree in Natural Resources from Oregon State University and a certificate in Geographic Information Systems from Central Oregon Community College. As the Stream Restoration Project Manager, Casey is excited for the opportunity to contribute his expertise and to continue the collaborative approach to watershed restoration.
Email Casey | P: 541.382.6103 ext. 6
Colette Boylan: Education and Outreach Coordinator
Colette brings her background as an educator, outreach coordinator, program director, and river enthusiast to her role as the Education and Outreach Coordinator at the UDWC. She began her professional career as an experiential educator while working at High Trails Outdoor Science School in Big Bear, California, where she taught students in fifth and sixth grade place-based science curriculum. Following her time in California, Colette worked for seven years at Cascades Academy in Bend where she functioned as a STEM specialist, community outreach coordinator, and auxiliary program director. She is enthusiastic about teaching and getting students and adults alike involved in community initiatives, and she is thrilled to align her professional and personal interests through her position. Colette holds a B.A. in Film and Media Arts from Temple University, as well as a K-6th grade elementary teaching license from the University of West Florida.
Email Colette | P: 541.382.6103 ext. 5
Michael Tauriainen: Monitoring Technician
Michael is an outdoor adventurer and activist who wanted to give back to the river environment that means the most to him. He went back to school in his adult life to obtain a degree in natural resource conservation at OSU-Cascades which ultimately led him to the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council. At the Watershed Council, he has the privilege to work in stream restoration through the continuous monitoring program which allows him to roam and work in an ecosystem that feels quite at home to him!
Email Michael