The Estuary Partnership is pleased to announce Dave Pinkernell and Rudy Salakory as our 2022 Stewards of the Year.
Dave Pinkernell
Camas-Washougal Community Chest and Columbia Gorge Refuge Stewards
Dave Pinkernell grew up on the beach in Carpinteria California, where his parents instilled in him a love for nature and the value of giving back to the community. Following a 30 year career managing research and development projects for HP in Vancouver, Dave was given the gift of early retirement. For the last ten years, Dave has been using his management skills to help lead both the Camas-Washougal Community Chest and the Columbia Gorge Refuge Stewards. When not volunteering, Dave enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, Carrie Burhenn, cycling, hiking, skiing, and scuba diving. They live with their indoor cats in a rural area north of Washougal, where they have enjoyed transforming their property into a welcome habitat for local wildlife.
Rudy Salakory
Cowlitz Indian Tribe
When he isn’t the Interim Director of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s Natural Resources Department, Rudy Salakory is the Habitat Restoration and Conservation Program Manager for the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. Since 2008, he has worked to restore wetland, floodplain, and riparian habitat throughout the lower Columbia River and its tributaries. Rudy serves on the Boards of Columbia Riverkeeper, Columbia Land Trust, the Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board, and still manages to eke out a little time for playing outside in a kayak or on a trail. A lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest, Rudy went to school at Washington State University, played (outside, rain or shine), and raised a family (Jacob and Carmen) all within ten miles of the Columbia River. He currently resides in Vancouver, Washington, with his darling, Geraldene.