Board members & staff

Staff

Wildlife Center of the North Coast operates with a small staff & a large, dedicated team of volunteers.

Kari Henningsgaard Executive Director

kari@coastwildlife.org

About

Kari Henningsgaard

Kari grew up in Astoria, and has lived here most of her life aside from college years spent in Southern California, and Eugene, Oregon. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies & Geography from the University of Oregon where she developed a passion for environmental education and conservation. Her favorite activity is spending time in nature with close friends and family.

Annie Cahill Volunteer Coordinator

annie@coastwildlife.org

About

Annie Cahill

Annie has an undergraduate degree in history from U.C. Berkeley and a Master’s degree in Education. She spent twenty years working in public education, and is now working towards an additional degree in wildlife biology. Annie began volunteering at WCNC with her teenage daughter in 2020, and in summer of 2021 the two completed the center’s internship program together. They also spent part of the pandemic taking a certificate course from the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council in Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation.

Annie is a distance runner who tries to get outside for at least a few miles as many days a week as she can. She is also a knitter, a gardener, and a voracious reader of some of the nerdiest, most niche non-fiction books around. Annie lives in the Portland area with her husband and their “his and hers” collection of four kids, ages 10 to 17. Her favorite animals are great blue herons, and American beavers.

Ginger Nealon Rehab Coordinator

ginger@coastwildlife.org

About

Ginger Nealon

Ginger is originally from Virginia and has received their Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics; Classical Studies from William & Mary. After relocating to the Oregon Coast, they found their passion for wildlife rehab through volunteering for WCNC. They quickly excelled in the field, and was hired to work in the clinic as a Wildlife Rehabilitator in early 2020. In September of 2021, they accepted the position as Rehab Coordinator overseeing hospital operations and animal care for WCNC.

Erica Long Wildlife Rehabilitator

erica@coastwildlife.org

About

Erica Long

Erica grew up in Warrenton, OR. She holds a B.S. in Biology with a focus in Animal Physiology from Southern Oregon University where she completed two senior capstone projects for animal physiology and aquatic biology. Erica first became involved with the Wildlife Center while volunteering to construct an enclosure for WCNC’s resident ambassador, Odin. Erica applied for and joined the Animal Care volunteer team in 2020. She was a quick study, and played a crucial role in helping WCNC operate with minimal volunteer aid during the pandemic. Erica was accepted into the internship program in early 2021, and by Spring had accepted a position as staff Wildlife Rehabilitator for WCNC.

Melisa Colvin Bird Curator

melisa@coastwildlife.org

About

Melisa Colvin

Melisa got involved with WCNC in 2011 as an animal care volunteer. With a passion for training and behavior, she found her niche here in 2017, working with the resident ambassador birds. Always looking to further her knowledge on the topic, Melisa has participated in workshops, conferences, and seminars including Dr. Susan Friedman’s ‘Living and Learning with Animals’ course and the Bird of Prey Training and Management workshop at Natural Encounters Inc. Melisa has been certified as a professional bird trainer (CPBT-KA) by the International Avian Trainers Certification Board and is a member of the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (IAATE). With a formal background in the arts and a BFA in Professional Photographic Illustration, Melisa spends much of her free time in her studio. Around the Center, she is most commonly recognized as “Cormie’s human”.

Board of Directors

Wildlife Center of the North Coast Board of Directors are a group of talented community members volunteering their time to promote the growth of the organization.

Eric Owen President

About

Eric Owen

Eric Owen completed his bachelor’s degree at Oregon State University in 2014, where he majored in environmental science with a minor in writing. In addition to his passion for conservation ecology, his interests include mycology and mushroom hunting, soccer, surfing, playing music, and brewing beer. Eric was born in Grand Junction, Colorado, grew up in San Diego, and lived in northern California for several years before moving to Oregon in 2010 to be nearer to his immediate family, who all live in the state. He lives in Warrenton and works for North Coast Land Conservancy, where he has been the Land Steward since 2015.

Noah Dolinajec Vice President

About

Noah Dolinajec

Noah earned a BS in Mathematics and Physics from Portland State University before moving into the conservation world. He’s received a Graduate Certificate in Wildlife Management and is currently working on a part time Professional Science Masters in Fisheries and Wildlife Administration in affiliation with OSU’s Seabird Oceanography Lab. Noah is active in a variety of conservation and ecology circles on the Oregon Coast and in his professional life he is the Executive Director of the Necanicum Watershed Council based in Seaside, Oregon. With the Watershed Council, he focuses on community engagement and hands-on coastal riparian and wetlands restoration and conservation to improve salmonid and avian habitats in the Necanicum Basin. In addition he is the Project Manager for Birds with Fish, a community science initiative designed to unite the Oregon coast in the name of research. .

Noah is an Oregonian born and raised but has spent the last three years living in Antwerp, Belgium with his wife. When he’s not geeking out on birds and other wildlife he’s likely enjoying a cold beer at one of Oregon’s many breweries and making friends with strangers’ dogs.

Nikki Tucker Treasurer

About

Nikki Tucker

Nikki works as the Director of Finance/Operations and Director of Human Resources for the Newberg School District, previously she help similar positions with Knappa School District and Warrenton-Hammond School District, in addition, she worked as Assistant Finance Director for Clatsop County. Nikki received her Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Oregon University in Business Administration with a concentration in Leadership, Organization and Management and a certificate in Public Management from Willamette University. Nikki began her work with WCNC when she was recruited due to her experience in finance and human resources. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Andrea Suarez-Kemp Secretary

About

Andrea Suarez-Kemp

Andrea Suarez-Kemp was raised in Miami, Florida and moved to Astoria, Oregon 7 years ago. She spent the first few years in this area working with different local organizations as a Spanish translator, reaching the local Hispanic community and bringing opportunities to all. She currently lives in Seaside and works as the Museum Manager at the Cannon Beach History Center and Museum.

Melissa Keyser Member

About

Melissa Keyser

Melissa Keyser has worked for various conservation and educational organizations on Oregon’s north coast including the Haystack Rock Awareness Program, ODFW and the City of Astoria, Park and Recreation Department. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Studies and a B.S. in Geography, both from Portland State University. Melissa has served on various boards representing the Oregon coast including the Friends of Cape Falcon Marine Reserve, Oregon’s Ocean Policy Advisory Committee, and Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators. She is passionate about stewardship and advocacy, especially when it comes to our marine & aquatic ecosystems. Living in Astoria, she loves to spend time exploring and foraging in local forests and on our beautiful beaches with her family. She hopes to create positive change through constructive action.

Interested in joining the board?

We’re looking for passionate individuals that want to donate their time and talents to helping wildlife in need. Fill out a Board Member Interest Form & a member of the Board will contact you!

Interest Form

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Interested in donating your time and talents to the Wildlife Center of the North Coast? We’re always looking for more volunteers to join the team!

Volunteering Opportunities

Animal Care
Reception
Rescue & Transport
Education & Outreach
Facilities Maintenance

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Board members & staff

Staff

Kari Henningsgaard Executive Director

Annie Cahill Volunteer Coordinator

Ginger Nealon Rehab Coordinator

Erica Long Wildlife Rehabilitator

Melisa Colvin Bird Curator

Board of Directors

Eric Owen President

Noah Dolinajec Vice President

Nikki Tucker Treasurer

Andrea Suarez-Kemp Secretary

Melissa Keyser Member

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