staff
Amanda Parrish
Executive Director
aparrish@landscouncil.org
Amanda started at The Lands Council as an AmeriCorps member in 2009 and today serves as our Executive Director. She earned a BA in Environmental Studies from the University of San Francisco and has honed her skills to specialize in watershed planning and biomimicry. She enjoys learning about plants, long distance swimming, and international travel.
Kat Hall
Restoration Program Director
khall@landscouncil.org
Kat's lifelong passion revolves around working with people and the natural environment. She is grateful for the many opportunities she's had including studying abroad in Australia, serving as an agroforestry extension agent in the Peace Corps in Cameroon, and mentoring at-risk youth through trail maintenance and environmental education in Alaska. She holds a B.S. in Natural Resources and a Master's in Environmental Management. Kat is passionate about teaching, loves recreating in the outdoors, and strives to make a difference in her community. In her free time, Kat can be found playing and coaching sports, making music, spending time with her dogs and ducks, and traveling the world with her life partner.
Taylor Birdtail
Climate Justice Program Director
tbirdtail@landscouncil.org
Taylor Birdtail “Sap̓y̓áx̌n̓”, Aaniiih & Cree
Sap̓y̓áx̌n̓ is an Indigenous Cultural, Language, and Environmental Revitalizer dedicated to the preservation and revitalization of Indigenous culture, language, and environment, empowering communities, families, and youth to build a healthy and sustainable future. With over 15 years of experience working within Indigenous, BIPOC, and Queer communities, Sap̓y̓áx̌n̓ develops and implements programs that utilize a trauma-informed framework to address generational barriers and systemic oppression.
Justyce Brant
Urban Forestry Program Director
jbrant@landscouncil.org
Justyce, originally from Medical Lake, Washington, holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and a B.A. in Sociology from Whitworth University. She began her career at The Lands Council (TLC) as an intern in 2021 and has since held roles such as AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator, Restoration Coordinator, and now Urban Forest Program Director. She’s passionate about reversing the impacts of environmental racism, helping students connect with nature, and supporting her community and the environment through advocacy and action. Outside of work, Justyce enjoys swimming, hiking, crocheting, watching movies, and game nights with her wonderful family and friends.
Teresa Hughbanks
Administrative Coordinator
thughbanks@landscouncil.org
Teresa has been with the TLC since March 2023. She is from Spokane and received a BS in Geology from Eastern WA University. She is happiest during the warmer months when she can soak up the sun, enjoy nature, walk her two adorable dogs, and play golf. Teresa also enjoys learning about and tasting wine and reading about dinosaurs and new paleontological discoveries.
Jasmine Vilar
Development Director
jvilar@landscouncil.org
Jasmine was born and raised in the Inland Northwest—splitting time between Eastern Washington and North Idaho. She spent over a decade west of the Cascades and exploring Wyoming and Montana before returning back to her hometown. She earned a BA in Psychology from Western Washington University, doing a stint in social work before ultimately pivoting to the environmental field. She holds a certificate in environmental education from Hamline University, and a Master’s in Natural Resources from the University of Idaho. Jasmine’s greatest joy is spending time outdoors with her husband and daughter. When she isn’t at work, you’ll find her in a camp chair by the river with a book, hiking, planning her flower garden, or practicing her plant ID skills.
Adam Gebauer
Public Lands Program Director
agebauer@landscouncil.org
Adam has worked as an ecologist and educator for over 20 years. His passion for the outdoors and all things in nature started at an early age wandering the maple and beech forests of NJ. This led him to a degree in Wildlife Mangement and MS in Biology focusing on stream ecology. Along his path he spent eight seasons as a wilderness trip leader as well as several years as classroom educator instilling a scene of wonder for the natural world. Recently his professional focus has been on tribal natural resource issues and forest practices, including fish passage issues in the Inland Northwest. You can find him picking weeds in his garden, playing on his bike or skis, and just generally exploring the natural world with his friends and community.
Lauren McNamara
Education Specialist
lmcnamara@landscouncil.org
Lauren McNamara has been with TLC since fall of 2024 and is serving as our Wildlife Educator Specialist through AmeriCorps. Lauren is an aspiring poet, bubbly crochet artist, and proud immigrant.
Board of Directors
Kate Vanskike, President
Nicole Wilson, Vice President
David Whiting, Secretary
Leroy Eadie, Treasurer
Paz Ochoa
Jon Isacoff
Tod Stephens
Rebecca Madany
Cop Coppen