Supporter Spotlight: Ellen Moline
This month, we’re proud to spotlight Ellen Moline, a Washington State Parks ranger serving the Cascade Foothills region. A lifelong advocate for restoration, Ellen’s passion for conservation took root alongside her dad and continues to guide her work today. From leading holly removal efforts on Squak Mountain to building community partnerships, Ellen brings dedication, heart, and hands-on leadership to the stewardship of our public lands.
Photo courtesy of Ellen Moline.
By Ellen Moline, Washington State Parks Ranger, Cascade Foothills
I first started working with the Issaquah Alps Trails Club (IATC) when I heard they were trying to put a plan together to start removing European holly from Squak Mountain State Park. I met Anne Newcomb, and we began working together to organize volunteer work parties to prep holly sites for injection with herbicide. That’s how it all started, and we’ve been building momentum ever since.
Photo courtesy of Ellen Moline.
I’ve been working to remove invasive plants from public lands for most of my life. My dad has always been passionate about restoration work, and from the time I was young, I volunteered with him to help with invasive plant removal. As I moved into my career with Washington State Parks, I continued to prioritize restoration work and encourage others to get involved. It’s always been something I care deeply about.
Our holly removal project has really helped start to change the tide and get more conservation work going on Squak. We haven’t always had the capability to dedicate the time and resources it takes to make conservation a priority, but partnerships with organizations like IATC have really helped us build momentum and start tackling some long-overdue projects.
IATC restoration work crew on Squak Mountain; photo courtesy of Ellen Moline.
Everyone can play a part in restoration work. By getting involved and volunteering with partner organizations like IATC, people can help move the needle on meaningful projects that restore our public lands. The help that volunteers provide can make a huge difference, especially for work that we wouldn’t be able to complete on our own.
I hope that people who come out to our volunteer events have a great time and learn to love restoration work as much as I do. It’s a special kind of rewarding: to be outside, doing something tangible, and seeing the results.
Photo courtesy of Ellen Moline.
One of my favorite memories from working in the Squak Mountain landscape was the work we did in the aftermath of the bomb cyclone. I remember the uncertainty I felt walking down Old Griz right when we started to clear that trail. It seemed impossible. But between our crews and the volunteer work parties that IATC helped organize, we got an incredible amount of work done and reopened trails that felt totally out of reach right after the storm.
As for the rest of the summer—lots of grilling and hikes with the dog!
Join us in the Issaquah Alps! Check out our events calendar for upcoming restoration events.