WHO
WE ARE
.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
Friends of Oahu National Wildlife Refuges is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who work to support the Refuges. The Board meets each month to receive updates from Refuge staff and decide how best to support current needs. The Board has a wealth of experience in history, wildlife biology, invasive species, refuge management, nonprofit organization, eco-tourism, education, law, and information technology. The key common denominator? A deep personal connection to and passion for Hawai'i and these vital habitats. We are dedicated to the conservation, restoration and protection of the wildlife, plants and cultural resources of Hawai'i for future generations.
Ken Kupchak
President
Eric VanderWerf
Vice President
Terrell Erickson
Vice President
Ray Born
Secretary
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Layne Yoshida
Treasurer
Laura Crago
Director
Lauren Pederson
Director
Gary Gill
Director
Robert Harris
Director
Amber O'Reilly
Director
Pauline Kawamata
Director
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Becoming a board member is a fantastic way to actively contribute to the conservation and preservation of Oahu's precious natural habitats. As a board member, you'll play a crucial role in supporting the refuge's mission through fundraising, advocacy, and educational outreach.
You'll collaborate with a passionate team of individuals dedicated to protecting native species, restoring ecosystems, and promoting public awareness about the importance of Oahu's wildlife and wild spaces.
REFUGE STAFF.
Refuge staff members are responsible for carrying out the mission and goals of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wildlife Refuge System all three refuges, James Campbell, Pear Harbor and Oahu Forest National Wildlife Refuges.
Joshua Ream, PhD
Xíxch'i Toowóo**
Project Leader
(he/him)
Email: joshua_ream@fws.gov
Dr. Joshua Ream is the Project Leader for the O‘ahu and Maui National Wildlife Refuge Complex. He started in his current role in October of 2021 following a nearly twenty year stint in Alaska. He is originally from Ligonier, Pennsylvania. Ream has worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, both as a wildlife biologist and as a cultural anthropologist. He holds a Ph.D. in Ethnobiology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, a M.S. in Biology from Austin Peay State University, and a B.S. in Animal Sciences from the Pennsylvania State University. He values building strong trust-based relationships with local and indigenous communities, building leadership skills for himself and his team, and emotional intelligence. In his spare time Ream enjoys horticulture, poultry husbandry, travel, and visiting his local Elk’s lodge with his husband Dustin.
**Means “Frog Feelings” or “Caring for Frogs” and was given to me by the late Tlingit elder Marge Byrd during my honorary adoption into the Kiks.adi Clan of the Shtaxʼhéen Ḵwáan at Wrangell, Alaska in 2015
Ty Spangler
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Kelly Goodale
Wildlife Biologist
Email: kelly_goodale@fws.gov
Kelly Goodale is the Wildlife Biologist for the O‘ahu and Maui National Wildlife Refuge Complex. She has worked in the conservation field within the Hawaiian archipelago since 2013. As the Field Crew Lead for the Endangered Wildlife Management Program at Haleakalā National Park, she quickly fell in love the with native birds and plants in Hawai‘i. She started to work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2017 as the Wildlife Biologist for Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge where she lived among 2 million seabirds. In February 2020 she was translocated with the last cohort of ka‘upu (black-footed albatross) to James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge on the North Shore of O‘ahu. Here she is able to apply her diverse experience of seabird, waterbird, and shorebird management; predator control; conservation of remote and backcountry locations; sea turtle nest monitoring and management; and habitat restoration. Kelly has a M.S. in Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and B.S. in Wildlife Sciences from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. In Kelly’s spare time, she enjoys beach days with her pup - Jupiter, backcountry camping, ocean activities, and playing Wingspan.
Michael Tuerk
Biological Science Technician
Email: michael_tuerk@fws.gov
Aloha my name is Michael Tuerk and I am a Biological science technician working at the Oahu/Maui Wildlife refuge complex. I have been working with the NFWS for a little more than a year and I am very excited to be part of this great team. The Bio-team and I are responsible for many things at the complex and our duties keeps us busy throughout the entire year. We are responsible for all our nursery operations, clearing and planting native restoration sites, running trap lines for invasive predators, endangered water bird and green turtle reproductive surveys, working with interagency and local groups for scientific projects and community beach clean ups. These are some, but not all the duties and responsibilities that make this job so important and meaningful.
I am originally from Colorado and have lived in Hawaii now for ten years and am lucky to call Oahu my home. I was in the service industry for 15 years prior to getting involved with Hawaii conservation. I was lucky enough to start volunteering with a local nonprofit four years ago doing stream restoration and fell in love with the work immediately. I have learned so much about Hawaii conservation in the last couple of years, and I am so proud to help keep Hawaii one of the most biologically diverse and special places on the planet!
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Daniel Guzman
Tractor Operator
My name is Daniel Guzman. I am a Tractor Operator/Maintenance for the US Fish and Wildlife service. I am currently stationed at the James Campbell Refuge on the North shore of Oahu. I am dedicated to the preservation of the Wetland Birds. I strive for excellence in Production and being part of the team here at James Campbell refuge
Alia Jeraj
she & they
Outreach Specialist, O'ahu Forest
Alia Jeraj is so grateful to be on the team working to restore the Oʻahu Forest NWR after the 2015 and 2023 fires. She supports her colleagues in removing invasive species, replacing them with native ones, and collecting seeds from native plants to grow, disperse, and save. As Outreach Specialist, Alia is working with Mililani High School students to teach them about and include them in the restoration work. With a background in the humanities, music, and education, Alia brings a unique set of skills to this work. Previous to this position, they worked as the Visitor Services Kupu intern with the refuge complex, planning and facilitating volunteer days, and performing outreach and education. Alia is so excited to get to continue restoration work in a more hands on way and to bring more people along in the work.
Anandi Nedomansky
Restoration and Native Seed Project
Email: victoria_nedomansky@fws.gov
A former Ocean Lifeguard on the Big Island of Hawai‘i turned conservationist, now living on the North Shore of O‘ahu. I’ve found my true calling in exploring and protecting Earth’s natural wonders. I am honored to be part of the Hawai‘i Seed Bank Project, working to protect Hawai‘i’s native flora from the growing threat of wildfires. I am also committed to sharing the mission of conservation and supporting the O‘ahu National Wildlife Refuge Complex, working closely with the community and youth to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. It is a privilege to give back to the land that continues to bring me so much joy.
Keely Hassett
Bradley Sarmiento
Mitch Zheng
Visitor Services & Restoration
Email: Mitchzheng10@gmail.com
Aloha, my name is Mitch Zheng and I am the Visitor Services/Outreach Specialist for the O'ahu National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Originally from California, I'm always trying to learn more about the local environment and culture of the island, and I am forever grateful to be here. As a part of this great team, my duties include planning and facilitating events at the refuges, sharing media of refuge updates and environmental education, as well as coordinating with and assisting the Friends of O'ahu NWR. During my limited term, I hope to engage with the community more to let them see and understand more about what this refuge does, and to eventually get the ball rolling on a Public Access plan so that people can more easily stop by and learn more about the refuge.