ABOUT
SAS

We are an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit alliance of scientist and nonscientist volunteers who advocate an increased understanding of the nature, value, and integrity of science to benefit our communities.

MISSION & HISTORY.

Not long ago, two dozen local citizens met in Newport, WA to discuss how the wisdom of science could improve human health, sustain our economy, and protect the environment upon which all life depends. As a result, an alliance of scientists and non-scientist supporters volunteered to organize and equip a science education nonprofit through their time, ideas, and membership donations. In 2018, Selkirk Alliance for Science (SAS) registered with the state of Washington (UBI 604 213 226) and the IRS (EIN 61-1867964).

Some SAS members have expertise in applying and teaching earth, life, and physical sciences. Other members help support those efforts to inform their neighborhood or regional communities about how science works, the benefits that science brings, and the importance of high integrity when practicing, using, or reporting evidence-based scientific knowledge.

We strive to accomplish our mission through usually-free-to-the-public science events, presentations, written essays, and citizen science opportunities to help people make informed decisions. We have no paid employees and our modest membership dues or charitable donations finance the logistics of these efforts.

We have offered indoor or field presentations about human memory, forest fungi identification, water yield forecasting, local geology, prescribing forest structure, using mathematics to grow gardens or commercial crops, ecosystem services, regenerative agriculture, and star party astronomy.We identify online references for understanding scientific writings, identifying bird feathers, learning wild animal lifespans, and forthcoming occurrences in astronomy. We describe citizen science projects that anyone can participate in to help science researchers collect or identify environmental features or conditions.

We partner with other nonprofits, entities, and private landowners to collect data on local air quality or anthropogenic noise levels throughout Pend Oreille County.

We provide written essays and published evidence about how some politicians, industries, and individuals corrupt science to fulfill their self-interests. Misinformation and disinformation are accidental or purposeful persuasions that can befall any inexperienced individual.

During the peak of winter, we offer an online, weekly, free-to-the-public science trivia contest that anyone can enter. It’s a fun way to learn about the scientific features of Pend Oreille County and surrounding areas. Contestants are eligible to win free science pocket guides or books.

Science and scientific evidence can be the most interesting, useful, entertaining, and factual means to base everyday life decisions on.

Science
Integrity

The credibility of science depends on adherence to professional standards and practices for the acquisition of fact-based knowledge. This webpage identifies how science has been misused in commerce and government, and ways for citizens to spot these abuses.

Will Science Endure Without Integrity?

Since modern times, science and scientists have brought health, safety, and prosperity to many. However, over the last 40 years, some governing officials have subverted science to benefit only the few. Click here to discover 21 ways that science integrity has been tarnished by unethical, undemocratic, and selfish acts that waste taxpayer dollars and harm the environment.

The Disinformation Playbook

Discover how some business interests deceive, misinform, and buy influence at the expense of public health and safety. Too many commercial interests are using a set of 5 tactics made famous decades ago by the tobacco industry. Those strategies are fully described with specific examples in The Disinformation Playbook.

Team

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

Meet the Selkirk Alliance for Science Officers and Board of Directors.

President / Board Director

ED STYSKEL

Received a B.S. in Game Management from Humboldt State College (now University) in California. He worked 29 years as a Wildlife Biologist with the USDA Forest Service in Washington, Montana, and Oregon, and another 14 years as a private consultant.

Ed is a professional Wildlife Biologist certified by The Wildlife Society in Bethesda, MD, has extensive experience in forest and wetland ecology/survey/management, and is a trained mediator.

He thrives on curiosity and awe of the natural world. Now retired, he and his wife Elly live in Newport, WA and enjoy working on their nearby forest and wetland tree farm.

Vice President / Board Director

MIKE LITHGOW

Received a B.A. degree in Environmental Policy and Planning from Western Washington University.

As a 4th generation Pend Oreille County resident, he feels a strong connection to northeast Washington and north Idaho. This place is special and he feels a responsibility to give back to the community.

Mike currently works as an Information and Outreach Coordinator for the Kalispel Tribe’s Natural Resource Department in Usk, WA. It is here where he feels he can provide opportunities to collaborate with communities in a very meaningful way.

He believes only by working together are we able to successfully conserve our natural resources.

Secretary / Board Director

PAMELA "Phoenix" LUBY

Is a retired teacher and the leader of the elementary science curriculum.

She has lived in Pend Oreille County since 1972 and spent her youth at Priest Lake, ID.

Phoenix graduated with a B.A from Gonzaga University and earned an M.A. from Whitworth.

Her property has been certified as a wildlife habitat. She is committed to living on the earth softly and to being a working member for the protection of our environment.

Treasurer / Board Director

ELLY STYSKEL

Received a B.S. in Physical Education and Outdoor Education/Recreation from Oregon State University.

She worked for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife on projects like bighorn sheep trapping, monitoring fish and wildlife species, and habitat restoration.

Elly taught Hunter Education courses for many years, and is a former President of the Oregon Hunter Education Instructor's Association. She is a certified Oregon Long Term Care Ombudsman for residents of assisted living facilities.

In retirement, Elly and her husband Ed own and manage a 26+ acre tree farm near Newport, WA. Using science to maintain a pristine Selkirk mountains environment is a priority for SAS and she wants to help complete that mission.

Board Director

SHARON SORBY

Received her B.A. in biology from Central Washington University and now resides in Dalkena, WA.

Her career position as the Pend Oreille County Noxious Weed Control Board Coordinator provides SAS with expertise on current invasive species issues and the science of invasion biology.

Sharon is passionate about sharing a healthy ecosystem with the local fish and wildlife and, thus, has been active in conservation work in the Selkirk region since 1980.

She looks forward to contributing to SAS communications and initiatives.

Board Director

KAMORI
CATTADORIS

Kamori is a retired web application developer living on an 8+ acre homestead with gardens, vineyard, and orchard surrounded by forest and mountains. An organic gardener for three decades, she learned about Permaculture in 2010 and became a certified designer in 2011. Kamori is a Master Gardener in Pend Oreille County and educates on science based gardening, troubleshooting, and techniques.

She is certified as a Nutritarian Coach by the Nutritarian Education Institute and provides coaching and consulting services free of charge to anyone desiring to optimize their health.

Using nutrition science to guide her food choices also guides her gardening priorities, melding her two passions into one unified lifestyle of living in harmony with Nature.

ABOUT
SAS