About the Friends Staff

Iris grew up in South Carolina where, among other things, she was a gymnast, competitive speed climber and a black belt in karate. While she loves the ecology of the state, she decided to head across the country to study Natural Resources and Wildfire Ecology at Oregon State University, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in 2021. Since graduating she has worked for two fire seasons with Oregon Department of Forestry Eastern Lane Wildfire Unit and has volunteered on many prescribed burns in the fall of 2022. She joined the Friends stewardship team in the fall of 2022 and transitioned to the Upland Land Steward in spring of 2023 where she puts those fire ecology, gymnastics, climbing and karate skills to good use. She is also very good at baking treats and eating large quantities of cookies.

Alyssa Larimer, Trails Steward

Alyssa was raised in Western Washington and spent much of her childhood hiking, kayaking, and backpacking in the surrounding forests. When she moved to Eugene in 2016, Mount Pisgah was one of the first places she visited and she felt at home right away. Alyssa studied Environmental Science and Biology at the University of Oregon. Since graduating in 2020, she has worked with the San Juan Island Conservation Corps (ICC) and done contract work for the Forest Service.  When she’s not on the trails, she spends her time painting, juggling, making soup and knitting. She is currently working on a life-size knitted replica of the largest living organism on the planet, Armillaria ostoyae: the Humongous Fungus. For any trail-related issues or concerns, please contact Alyssa at trailsteward [at} bufordpark.org. 

Jared Tarr, Volunteer & Intern Coordinator

Jared Tarr grew up on the southern Oregon Coast where he fell in love with the woods, rivers, beaches and windswept headlands of the northeastern Pacific. He studied at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington where he had the opportunity to work with organizations like The Nature Conservancy and People for Puget Sound, involving himself in grassroots organizing, policy work, as well as ecological research and restoration. Upon returning to Oregon and settling in Eugene, he worked as the Shop and Program Manager for the Center for Appropriate Transportation, sharing his love for bicycles, DIY repair and advocating for transportation equity in the emerald city. He still loves to ride his bike and spends his time fly fishing, exploring new rivers by boat and foot, and escaping to the mountains and desert with his partner and pup.

Mieko Aoki, Nursery Manager

Mieko has a background in biology, ecology, landscape architecture, horticulture, habitat restoration and wildlife rehabilitation. She joined the Friends in 2017 as Trails and Volunteer Coordinator, and became the Nursery Manager in 2020. She has always enjoyed plants, animals and what can be learned from them by being observant and paying attention. When not at work she loves camping in the mountains, wading in streams, listening to birdsong, sharing good food with friends and spending time with her awesome husband. 

Caroline Baucom, Nursery Assistant

Caroline grew up in Northern Virginia where she was often found barefoot and playing in the dirt as a child. So far these are still some of her favorite activities. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University where she studied Environmental Science, Biology, and Urban Planning, as well as worked in the Coastal Plant Ecology Lab. Post-grad, she worked seasonally for the U.S. Forest Service and at nurseries in the Pacific Northwest before moving to the Eugene area. She has a deep passion for native plants and the restoration of our wild spaces. Caroline became a team member at the Friends in Spring of 2023. The best way to become her pal is to let her pet your dog.

April Dawne Christen, Nursery Assistant

April Dawne grew up in Eugene and has been hiking and exploring all over Oregon with her dad since she was a kid. Her love of plants, mushrooms, wild places, dancing, delicious food and being physically active has led to a varied work history. She has been a restaurant cook, worked for the Forest Service, coordinated natural history workshops and continues to run her own landscaping business. April Dawne joined the Friends Stewardship crew in June of 2016 and became the Nursery Assistant in May of 2020 where her infectious laugh can be heard throughout the nursery.