Sam was born and raised in Columbus Ohio and attended college at Ithaca College in New York, graduating in the spring of 2020 with a BA in Environmental Studies and minors in Philosophy and Politics. Soon after graduation, he moved to the west coast, discovering Yachats in September of 2020 when he accepted a yearlong position through the RARE AmeriCorps program. He lived in town for the year working closely with the City, The McKenzie River Trust, and View the Future on drinking water protection and land conservation.
Over his year of service, he relied on the board members of View the Future, turning to them for local knowledge and connections to do his work. They also provided him the guidance a young professional often needs. During his time living in the community Sam created documents to raise public awareness over the water security issues Yachats faces, provide information and insight on municipal watershed lands, as well as organize a partnership with the City of Waldport, SW Lincoln County Water People’s Utility District, The US Forest Service, View the Future, and McKenzie River Trust. The partnership was formed to discuss the common water issues faced on the central coast and engage the US Forest Service, the majority landowner for the three communities’ water sources, in restoration and protection actions in the area.
He was elected a board member in August of 2021 when his time in the RARE program was over to continue his work with the Southwest Lincoln County water partners and to engage in the ongoing conversation around the Hancock property.
He feels extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to serve on the board and continue his connection to Yachats, which has become a very special place for him.
