EcoSource Native Seed & Restoration is committed to Ecological Restoration in the Sage-Steppe Ecosystems. Introducing our full time staff:
Executive Director, Jennifer Taynton
Jennifer Taynton is a fifth generation family member to reside in eastern Oregon, specifically Harney and Grant Counties. Jennifer feels a deep connection to the land and wants to see our landscapes healthy and resilient once again. With hard work and determination, Jennifer will lead EcoSource's program. She is currently focusing of assisting in our Greenhouse, doing some grant writing and working with our partners on multiple restoration projects in eastern Oregon. Jennifer enjoys camping, fishing, kayaking and seeing hard work come to fruition.
Native Seed Specialist, Susan Maupin
Sue Maupin joined our team in July of 2021 as a seed collection crew member. She brought along with her a desire to learn and grow. She quickly established her position as the Native Seed Specialist with a focus on all aspects of collection, cleaning, storage, production and restoration. She continues to advance her knowledge skills and abilities with EcoSource. During the Spring and Summer months, we can find Sue in the field monitoring collections and training entry level staff to properly identify and collect. In the fall we can find her immersed in sage-brush collection and production. During the short winter months, she stays busy creating technical manuals for entry level entrepreneurs to get established in the native seed industry. Sue is usually seen with her canine companion "Spud Tater", a golden border-collie mix.
Our Board of Directors at EcoSource Native Seeds & Restoration represent a cross-section of our community and are advocates for the cause. Board members work hard to ensure long-term sustainability of the organization so that the funds raised directly affect results. Introducing our current Board of Directors in order:
Board President: USDA Ecologist, Dr. Roger L. Sheley
Dr. Roger Sheley is a world renown author and ecologist, studying native vegetation and annual invasive species for over 35 years. Dr. Sheley is also a local farmer in Harney County and has an avid interest in seeing the restoration of ecological resources and economic vitality in this area he considers home. EcoSource is honored to have Dr. Sheley as the President of our Board of Directors.
Board Secretary: Local rancher, Rob Sharp
Rob Sharp has worked with EcoSource Native Seed and Restoration since our beginning in 2000. He is well versed in range management, and works at the long term holding facility for the BLM
Board Member: Harney County Soil & Water Conservation Regional Manager, Jason Kesling
Jason Kesling is the Regional Director for the Harney County Soil and Water Conservation District. Jennifer and Jason met through collaborative meetings with High Desert Partnership. Jason enjoys gardening, owning and operating two large greenhouses providing vegetable to the community. He has a degree in wildlife biology from Oregon State University and prior to working with the HCSWCD, he worked for the Burns Paiute Tribe as a biologist. His interest is in working with landowners to improve vegetation and agriculture, conserving water and developing partnerships to work collaboratively to solve critical issues in Harney County. Jason is helpful to our Executive Director, offering his insight to preparing grant proposals for funding opportunities. We are so lucky to have Jason on our team..
Board Member: Botanist-Ecologist: Caryn Burri
Caryn was a botanist ecologist working for the Burns District BLM when the first collaborative meetings began to discuss the need of a Restoration Economy in Harney County. She championed the idea that Harney County needed Native Seed Storage, and was fundamental in establishing EcoSource in Harney County. Caryn has since transferred her career to the Vale District office in a department not affiliated with contracts for native seed. Now Caryn has freedom to support our development on a personal level as a Board Director. She is always helpful to our staff in teaching us about native species identification and collection cleaning and storage processes. She is quick to offer suggestions to help us continue to evolve in this industry successfully. We consider Caryn a valuable asset to our EcoSource mission and appreciate her wisdom and insight to restoration using diverse and genetically appropriate native vegetation.
Board Member: Retired Rancher and Producer, Bobb Breck
Bobb Breck has considered Harney County his home since he was a young boy riding his little motorcycle across the Alvord Desert. He was raised in a ranching and rodeo family and has a strong desire to help EcoSource achieve our mission in restoring the Sage-Steppe Ecosystems.
