This summer we are partnering with Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and Oregon Interfaith Power & Light on a
Climate Resilience Summer Internship Cohort!
The four amazing interns below are helping to identify, map and organize faith communities across Oregon who are working on sustainability, environment, disaster preparedness, and other climate resilience projects.
Hello! My name is Nina Casey and I attend Southern Oregon University, seeking a degree in sociology and anthropology and a minor in social justice. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, I am a very outdoors-oriented person, and witnessing the impacts of climate change on the landscape and communities I know, and love has driven my passion for climate resilience projects like this one. My strong interest in religious sociology and background in community engagement makes me excited by the opportunity to bring my interests, experience, and eagerness to this project, blending both religiosity and a commitment to climate justice. I’m excited to work with you all!
Julia Weinand – In my time as a Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest volunteer, I have been serving as EMO’s Climate & Environmental Justice Policy Advocate. I am thrilled to be joining this cohort and learn more about what faith communities are doing across Oregon to respond to natural disasters and the climate crisis as a whole. Growing up in Seattle and graduating from the University of Portland (2022), I am familiar with the local impacts of climate change in the Pacific Northwest. I am excited to be part of this movement to help communities better prepare for disasters and become more resilient.
Hi there! My name is Julia Rankin (they/she), and I just graduated from Oregon State University. I studied as an honors student, majoring in environmental sciences with a specialization in conservation, resources, and sustainability, minoring in social justice while earning a GIS Certificate. I grew up in Seattle, Washington where I played in a 120-acre local forest, wandered low tides looking for life and attended Trinity Lutheran Church. At OSU, I worked at the head Environmental Science Ambassador for three years while also working for the Hattie Redmond Women and Gender Center on campus. I was and still am heavily involved with the Lutheran community in Corvallis, doing everything from preaching to organizing campus ministry. I am a firm believer that revolutionary actions and work come from deep community and connection, and that when all are called to love, All means All. You can typically find me gardening (I am the proud parent of a 30-year-old bird of paradise), baking with my friends, hiking or scuba diving!
My name is Christopher Johnston, and I am a 3rd year environmental policy student at Linfield University. I am passionate about environmental restoration, conservation, policy, activism, climate action, and other environmental issues affecting the world today. I am also minoring in critical ethnic studies and have a deep passion for environmental justice and health. Some hobbies I enjoy are rock climbing, reading, and film!
