We are excited to welcome our 2026 interns, who join us for a term from April through early October. They work on a variety of projects, from conservation plans and technical work in the office to site visits and invasives removal in our district. Welcome to the team, Gillian and Gabrielle! They each shared a bit about themselves to introduce themselves to the community:
Gillian Miller
Gillian (above right) is a lifelong West Coast resident and spent summers camping across California and the PNW. She has been known to stop to look at any plant, slug, rock, or bug that catches her eye. This curiosity developed further as they studied Environmental Science, Geography, and Biology at the University of Oregon. During her undergrad studies, Gillian conducted research and restoration work on pollinator populations on a locally owned blueberry farm, and came to understand how environmental research and work can, and should, be in the service of their community. After graduating last spring, they spent the summer working on pollinator and flowering plant research projects, and the fall and winter doing landscaping and environmental service work. Now, Gillian brings all her curiosity and enthusiasm to West Multnomah SWCD, eager to serve this community and learn all she can about the district’s work. She is especially looking forward to applying her mapping skills to conservation work, working in the field alongside experienced staff, and learning more about forest, riparianRiparian areas The land alongside a stream, creek, river, or floodplain, and soil conservation.
Gabrielle Bedeian
Gabrielle (above left) comes to the District with many years’ of experience working outside. She previously worked in environmental education, organic agriculture, and ornamental gardening before finding her way to conservation work. Her experience includes a term as an ACE AmeriCorps member with the National Park Service in California and a season as a botanic field technician for Oregon State University’s AIM monitoring program throughout sagebrush steppe in eastern Oregon. Most recently she worked as a crew leader with Portland Parks’ Youth Conservation Crew, leading species removal efforts in natural areas throughout Portland’s east side.
She is currently enrolled in Portland Community College’s Environmental Landscape Management degree program at the Rock Creek campus. Gabrielle is passionate about field botany, habitat restoration, youth development, and building stronger social networks to support healthy communities and land systems. Now, she is excited to learn from the staff at West Multnomah SWCD while serving the District’s water, soil, plants, wildlife, and people.
