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WNY PRISM is very excited to welcome our 2017 Summer Crew. Joining us this year are Nick Ransbury as our Education and Outreach Assistant, and Heather Zimba and Kevin Sanders as our Invasive Species Management Assistants.

Nick will be coordinating and/or assisting with WNY PRISM’s various education and outreach related events including all preparations for Invasive Species Awareness Week (ISAW). Please feel free to reach out to Nick at wnyprism@buffalostate.edu, if you are looking for ways to promote invasive species awareness, are in need of an invasive species training or presentation, or would like to partner on an event for ISAW 2017.  Heather and Kevin will be working with our Partners on targeted invasive species removal, habitat restoration, and mapping projects throughout the summer.

Please join WNY PRISM in welcoming our entire Crew to the team!

WNY PRISM 2017 Summer Crew - Nick Ransbury, Heather Zimba and Kevin Sanders. Photo by WNY PRISM

WNY PRISM 2017 Summer Crew – Nick Ransbury, Heather Zimba and Kevin Sanders. Photo by WNY PRISM

Nick Ransbury has a bachelor’s degree in Global Studies with a concentration in Sustainability from SUNY Oswego, graduating in 2016. He has previously volunteered for the Rice Creek Field Station in Oswego, NY, managing volunteers to control invasive species. He was also an administrative assistant for NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority).

Heather Zimba is a recent graduate from SUNY JCC, with an associate’s degree in Environmental Science.  Last summer, Heather interned as a crew leader for the Project Wild America summer program at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute.  As part of that program Heather had the opportunity to document and map various invasive species in Jamestown, NY.  This inspired Heather to learn more about invasive species in New York, and as part of her coursework this last spring, she completed an invasive species internship with a focus on Emerald Ash Borer and Hemlock Woolly Adelgid.  Heather is excited to work with WNY PRISM this summer, and then continue her education this fall, when she attends SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry to obtain a bachelor’s in Wildlife Science.

Kevin Sanders graduated in 2016 from the University at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Geoscience, and then began his professional career by working for the NYS Parks Service doing Aquatic Invasive Species management. Now employed at the WNY PRISM office as an Invasive Species Management Assistant, he is excited to switch to helping facilitate terrestrial control of invasive species. While not working outside, he also enjoys living it through hiking, camping or simply reading in a hammock.