Meet our TALENTED 2024
Watershed Stewards!!
AUDREY GRAHAM
I'm Audrey Graham, Blue Element's PFAS Program Assistant. My job is to help assist in all things related to PFAS water sampling. My passion for this work stemmed from water resource management work I did while obtaining my BA in Sustainability Studies at Colorado Mountain College. I also live off-grid in a converted grain silo without running water, which has provided an invaluable lesson in respecting our precious resources, water specifically. These two components created a drive and passion around sustainable water use, as well as providing quality water to those in our community. While the professional field of conservation work is new for me, working for Blue Elements has provided a great sense of purpose and belonging as we work together with our local communities to make a positive impact on water quality. Living in the Colorado mountains for the last six years has proven magical in more ways than one. I look forward to my work with Blue Elements in keeping the magic alive in these mountains for our community and those to come.
Drew Henninger
I am and avid fisherman and hunter and love spending my time outdoors exploring. Working with trout is my passion, whether that be in a hatchery, building habitat, or doing reclamations for native cutthroat, I love doing it all.
Haylie-Paige Garcia
My name is Haylie-Paige Garcia, a young woman with a passion for nature and connecting with all living things. I am so excited to start this journey with AmeriCorps and Project Dream to educate young minds in the water world and all its benefits! I am new to the Leadville area, and am enjoying exploring the town and the ecosystem it finds itself in. I’m also learning more about the history that this town and surrounding areas have to offer. I moved here from another small town with my three dogs, snake, crested gecko, and partner. I enjoy hiking and exploring, time outside (and inside) with my dogs, fishing days at the lake, reading exciting new books, and trying new food. This world has so much to offer, especially when it comes to the natural world, and I feel lucky to experience it and get the opportunity to share it!
Nico Granzella
I was Born and raised in Salida and graduated from Salida High School in 2020. I’m currently attending Western Colorado University and will graduate in December with a degree in Environmental Sustainability with an emphasis on Public Land Management and a minor in Outdoor Recreation. I’m very interested in the preservation and conservation of public lands for our future generations. I am an avid hunter and fisherman and in my spare time enjoy listening to documentaries and podcasts while reloading. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my summer interning at AHRA through Blue Elements. I hope to return to Salida full time after graduation and pursue a career with one of the many organizations that have been so welcoming to me and the other interns this summer. Thank you for having me!
Ralph Eberhard
My name is Ralph Eberhard and after a career change I am currently a third year student at Colorado State University majoring in Fish and Wildlife Conservation Biology. I am a Colorado native and enjoy studying and working with our native species. I’m excited to be part of the Leadville National Fish Hatchery team and getting to work hands on with our state fish.
Rose Nadelhoffer
Hailing from Evergreen, CO, Rose is a lifelong Coloradan and an enthusiast for all the state has to offer. She loves hiking, skiing, rafting, curating the perfect playlist, and reading anything she can get her hands on. She is passionate about environmental justice in the Colorado River Basin and wants to advocate for more equitable water rights and natural resource-extraction practices throughout the region in her future career.Hailing from Evergreen, CO, Rose is a lifelong Coloradan and an enthusiast for all the state has to offer. She loves hiking, skiing, rafting, curating the perfect playlist, and reading anything she can get her hands on. She is passionate about environmental justice in the Colorado River Basin and wants to advocate for more equitable water rights and natural resource-extraction practices throughout the region in her future career.
Vaylente O'Brien
My name is Vaylente O'Brien. I am originally from Montana and have been rafting my entire life. I was the youngest woman to raft the entirety of the Yellowstone River, which is coined to be the last wild river. I have rafted around the world with the junior women's rafting team for Rafting Magazine. I am an avid skier and teach freeride and beginner levels in skiing at my local ski mountain. I have been a lover of the outdoors since I was young, growing up only 30 minutes away from Yellowstone National Park; and now working for the AHRA has confirmed my commitment to outdoor stewardship.