Watershed Profile: Jessie Thompson
Pictured: Jessie braving the rain and snow at River R.A.T.s training.
May’s volunteer feature gives us a glimpse into the life of one of GWC’s most dedicated River R.A.T.s, Jessie Thompson! She consistently shows up at Restoration Thursdays, cleanup and educational events, and is always ready to lend a helping hand. Jessie is currently an environmental engineering student at MSU. When not studying, she is a Nordic and alpine ski instructor, and she enjoys camping, hiking, running, and playing softball. She grew up in Vermont and has loved living in Bozeman for the past few years. Thanks, Jessie, for supporting GWC’s work in the Gallatin Valley!
Read the following Q&A and learn about the multifaceted and committed Jessie Thompson.
Q&A:
1. What excites you the most about the work of the Gallatin Watershed Council?
What excites me most about the work of the Gallatin Watershed Council is their strong commitment to community involvement. They are open and transparent about their efforts and actively invite community members to participate in hands-on, boots-on-the-ground work. I also admire the education efforts of the GWC - we can’t fix a problem we don’t understand.
2. What do you love about living in the Lower Gallatin Watershed?
I love that the people here truly care about keeping our watershed clean and healthy. Bozeman is a fantastic place for recreation both in and out of the water, and we’re committed to preserving that experience for all.
3. If you could make one change to improve our natural resources, what would it be?
One change I would make to improve our natural resources would be to implement guidelines and incentives for low-impact development, stormwater management, and green infrastructure to help reduce the strain on our watershed as our community rapidly grows.
4. What sparks your curiosity about the natural world?
I was fortunate to grow up skiing and hiking in the Green Mountains, which sparked my initial interest in nature. My decision to study environmental engineering was solidified after a research trip that I took to the Bahamas in high school. I’m a passionate supporter of our national park system and will always be a junior ranger at heart.
5. Bonus question: What is your comfort show or movie?
I am always down for a good sitcom, Seinfeld and 30 Rock are my favorites.
Thank you, Jessie! We’re grateful for all of your help.
Pictured (left to right): 1) Jessie with a boatload of trees ready to be planted in Oregon! 2) Kayaking in South Beach State Park, Oregon. 3) Enjoying the views at Grand Teton National Park. 4) Braving The Narrows in Zion National Park.