Meet Erica Jansen, AmeriCorps Member

Erica Jansen is serving as the AmeriCorps Community Outreach and Engagement Assistant for Idaho Firewise. This is Erica’s second year serving with AmeriCorps. Last year, she served with a different local environmental non-profit. Her work with Idaho Firewise will focus on organizing fuel reduction events across the state, educating the public on the importance of being “firewise” and the ecological benefits wildfire has on our landscape. Additionally, she will coordinate with the Idaho Conservation Corps on fuel reduction/fire mitigation projects across the state. In between, she will be collaborating with the Palouse Land Trust on local projects and helping establish the Idaho Prescribed Fire Council.

A Wisconsin native, she earned her degree in Wildlife Ecology and Management from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. Shortly after graduating, she relocated to the Palouse with her partner and has been enjoying all the recreational opportunities Idaho has to offer, her favorite being hunting western big game. Erica did not grow up in a place where people gave much thought to wildfire risks, but after living on the Palouse for just 2 years she realizes the magnitude and role of wildfire in western ecosystems. Erica is eager to learn more about wildfire mitigation and to help folks protect their homes and the lands we love!