Joanne Kittel is a retired psychotherapist who specialized in trauma and rebuilding peoples’ lives. She has extended that expertise in her work in the environmental movement and cultural / historical preservation of her area. Her relationship with Yachats and View the Future is deep, broad and timely. Her 30-years in Yachats has created strong and collaborative relationships with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, the Oregon Geographic Names Board, and the US Geological Survey to achieve recognition of the Ya’Xaik people who lived in this area for thousands of years and the area’s genocidal history. In addition, Joanne collaborates with Oregon Parks & Recreation, City of Yachats and Lincoln County Commissioners, and she actively participates with the Yachats Trails Committee, Angell Job Corps’, Siuslaw National Forest, and is a past member of multiple local nonprofit Boards and groups.
Joanne brings research, writing, storytelling, critical thinking, logistical analysis, project management, public speaking and community organizing to Yachats and VtF resulting in inspired landowners adding conservation easements to private property(including her own 27+ acres), public trail development including Amanda’s Trail, watershed restoration and bridge construction projects, all of which have greatly enhanced Yachats’ local economy, ecology, community and Tribal relations. Joanne’s leadership is informed by respect, passion, commitment and tenacity that brings synergy to Yachats and View the Future in ways that make the Oregon coast more vibrant, resource rich, and community-supported than ever before.
