Our Volunteers

Alison Reintjes, Director

I react to pesticides in much the same way that someone with asthma is affected by cigarette smoke. I have an immediate reaction that intensifies with prolonged exposure and the negative effects can linger for hours or days. However, also like cigarette smoke, pesticides have health consequences for everyone, not just people like me who notice the impacts more immediately. I value outdoor spaces and believe they should be cared for in a way that is safe and healthy for all people, animals, and the ecosystem.

Lauris Reintjes

Today's society has normalized the pollution of our environment. We do this blissfully unaware of the catastrophic impacts our actions have for all life on earth. Synthetic chemicals release mass quantities of greenhouse gases, contributing to the climate emergency, are toxic to nearly every living animal, and are nearly as dangerous to humans as to the plants and insects they are intended to kill. In the future we will realize the devastating effects. I don't want my generation to continue to be used as a mass experiment with almost certainly harmful results from a lifetime of exposure to synthetic poisons.

Candice Mancini

When I am in nature, I want to smell nature. What a sad thing, to contaminate a mountain or park or yard with poisonous chemicals. I have long been active in environmental causes and will continue to advocate for our beautiful planet.

Lorie Lochridge

I am a mother of three daughters, and we spend a large amount of our time on soccer fields. I am constantly smelling and aware that I am breathing the damaging chemicals sprayed on the fields. I watch children rolling and walking barefoot in the grass, babies crawling, dogs sniffing and laying, people picnicking, water bottles being tossed on the ground, and children breathing heavily, and I cringe. I sit hoping that someday I can watch soccer without the discomfort and worry of knowing the damage that is being done as I sit and watch children innocently playing a game.

Teya Lochridge

I am a junior at Sentinel High School. I love to be outside, at the river, playing soccer and more. It would be nice to know that I can hang outside without being intoxicated by these chemicals, that’s why I decided to help out. All organizations need someone to run the financial part, so I thought I could be a good addition in that department. My mom also helps volunteer here and I wanted to support her by helping out as the treasurer.

Denise Tripp-Loran

Growing up in Montana, my parents and grandparents instilled in me a love of nature and a strong desire to defend our pristine and wild environment along with its inhabitants. Having children only made this desire stronger. When it was discovered that my youngest child had allergies and asthma, I realized the considerable role our environment plays in our health and the health of our children. After numerous incidents with air quality and chemical use, I decided to become more active, working to protect this beautiful planet and all its creatures.