About Us
Meet the Selkirk Alliance for Science Officers and Board of Directors.
ED STYSKEL is President and a Board Director of SAS. He 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.
MIKE LITHGOW is Vice President, Treasurer, and a Board Director of SAS. He has 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 Information and Outreach Coordinator for the Kalispel Tribe’s Natural Resource Department in Usk, WA. That job provides opportunities to collaborate with communities in a very meaningful way. Only by working together are we able to successfully conserve our natural resources.
ELLY STYSKEL is Secretary and a Board Director of SAS. She graduated from Oregon State University with a B.S. in Physical Education and Outdoor Education/Recreation. She worked for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife on projects like bighorn sheep trapping, monitoring fish and wildlife species, and habitat restoration. She supervised volunteers, trained license agents to sell hunting and fishing licenses/tags, and facilitated public meetings. 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.
SHARON SORBY is a member of the SAS Board of Directors. She 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.
OLIVIA "LIV" GIANASSI is a member of the SAS Board of Directors. She has lived in the Newport area for 40 years and knows a lot about this beautiful area. Liv presently works at the Newport Ranger District, Colville National Forest, where she earned 35 years of experience in forestry and other natural resource activities. Education is important to her and she is anxious to help Selkirk Alliance for Science reach adults and youths with factual knowledge about the importance of science in everyday life.
Email us at selkirkallianceforscience@gmail.com
Selkirk Alliance for Science
P.O. Box 541
Newport, WA 99156
Facebook: @SelkirkScience