Columbia Springs
Meet The Team
We are passionate and committed individuals working hard to foster an ethic of stewardship in our community through education programming for all ages.
Apryl Corey
Education Program Coordinator
volunteering@columbiasprings.org
360-882-0936 ext. 222
Apryl started at Columbia Springs as an Environmental Educator, teaching field trips and running summer programming. She now organizes fun nature activities for our families and community! Apryl went to OSU for Fish and Wildlife Sciences, with an emphasis in Wetland Ecology. Apryl is an active member in the community, most recently working with a Douglas Squirrel rescue in Vancouver! She lives in Vancouver with her husband and three children, and enjoys reading, hand-lettering and spending time at the water.
Katherine Cory
Executive Director
katherine@columbiasprings.org
360-882-0936 ext. 221
Katherine enjoys supporting the excellent staff and volunteers at Columbia Springs, while managing day-to-day operations. She graduated from Mt Hood Community College, focusing on Forestry and Wildlife Management and brings a dynamic background in fundraising, community relations, environmental stewardship and advocacy. She fosters a deep understanding of the mission of Columbia Springs, a cause close to her heart. When she’s not working, she is enjoying her farm and her family.
Kylie DaCunha
Community Engagement Specialist
360-882-0936 ext. 230
Kylie coordinates our event and marketing programs. She is responsible for engaging with the community, assisting with development, and ensuring that the Columbia Springs story is heard. Kylie grew up in the Vancouver area and recently returned from the University of Washington with a degree in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. She has had the pleasure of volunteering with many local organizations, and brings work experience in science-based program coordination, environmental education and creative blogging. Kylie loves to bake, ride horses, cuddle with her pets and spend time by the water with her family.
Terra Heilman
Repair Program Coordinator
repair@columbiasprings.org
360-882-0936 ext. 224
Terra facilitates the Repair Clark County program including event coordination and volunteer management. Terra earned a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Science, with an emphasis in public education and has been running environmentally focused events for more than a decade. Raised on 70 acres of forest in southern Oregon, Terra has always had a strong earth ethic. She enjoys photography, thrift shopping and dining in local, independent restaurants.
Jenna Kallestad
Education Program Coordinator
jenna@columbiasprings.org
360-882-0936 ext. 226
Jenna coordinates our education programs for school groups and activities at Columbia Springs’ community events. Jenna received a bachelor’s degree in social science and education from Hamline University. Jenna has explored sustainable living around the world and worked as an environmental educator for several programs. She has found nothing more rewarding than witnessing young people form connections with the natural world. In her spare time she enjoys backpacking trips, reading, enjoying live music and biking through Portland.
Catherine Rich
Business Manager
admin@columbiasprings.org
360-882-0936 ext. 223
Catherine manages our accounting systems, assists with human resources, and provides administrative support. She previously was the Operations and Accounting Manager for a diverse marine property management company on Hayden Island for 20 years. Catherine is a long time Vancouver resident. She has invested in her community by serving on a variety of organization’s boards including the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, YWCA Clark County, Women in Action, Columbia River Mental Health Services, and the Council for the Homeless. She is a graduate of Leadership Clark County. Catherine enjoys time with family and friends, being outdoors, books and music.
Shelly Skolfield
Education Program Coordinator
learn@columbiasprings.org
360-882-0936 ext. 225
Shelly provides hands-on, info-taining experiences to students and administrative support to Columbia Spring’s onsite education and Salmon in the Classroom programs. As a 5th generation Portlander, Shelly’s roots grow deep in the Pacific Northwest. After earning her degree in biology from Reed College, she continued her senior thesis work exploring a genetic mechanism that allows parasitoid wasps to drive evolution in their insect hosts, ultimately contributing to a publication in Science. Shelly loves her tent, her former home while teaching several seasons of marine science summer camps and outdoor school. Shelly enjoys dip pen calligraphy, swing dancing and you may have seen her in costume at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.
Mel Topping
Salmon in the Classroom Coordinator
360-882-0936 ext. 228
Mel helps fifty classrooms in Clark County raise and care for coho salmon! Our Salmon in the Classroom students get to engage in exciting, hands-on activities and ultimately release their salmon into local waterways. Mel earned her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Juniata College and her master’s degree in water resources from the University of Idaho, where she developed an interest in science democratization and community science. When she’s not working, you can find Mel biking, hanging with her pup, playing ultimate frisbee, and cooking for her friends and family.
Brian Harvard
Hatchery Manager
Brian.Harvard@dfw.wa.gov
360-882-0936 ext. 227
Brian and other Fish and Wildlife staff raise the fish in the hatchery and manage grounds and hatchery facilities maintenance at Columbia Springs.