Welcome to Whitebark: David, Ruthie, Isaac, and Katie!
We are pleased to welcome four outstanding new team members to Whitebark Institute. While we typically introduce new colleagues individually, our team has grown quickly this season, and we want to ensure each person receives a thoughtful and timely welcome.
David, Ruthie, Isaac, and Katie bring exceptional expertise and energy to Whitebark. With these four new colleagues, our team has grown to 16 people—an important milestone for an organization that had just seven employees three years ago. This growth reflects both the expanding scope of our work and the increasing need for skilled professionals dedicated to forest health, fire resilience, and environmental stewardship.
Consistent with Whitebark’s interdisciplinary approach, these new team members bring a wide range of expertise spanning forest ecology, fire management, botanical monitoring, and scientific communications. Their skills arrive at an important time as our project portfolio continues to grow. We are also hiring an Environmental Planning and Collaborative Projects Director; visit whitebarkinstitute.org/careers for the full job description.
David Dorval
David is an environmental scientist specializing in forest health and management. He earned his B.S. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and his M.S. in Natural Resources from Cal Poly Humboldt, focusing on tree physiology and forest resilience. Prior to joining Whitebark, David worked with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the National Park Service in Yosemite National Park on restoration, fuels reduction, prescribed fire, and wildfire response, most recently leading research on tree health and failure risk.
- What do you enjoy doing outside of work? I enjoy unsolicitedly talking about trees on hikes, bonsai and plant propagation, snowboarding, and swimming in alpine lakes.
- What is your favorite spot in the Eastern Sierra? If I had to choose one, it would probably be the Ansel Adams Wilderness, especially the Minarets and the Ritter Range.
- Fun Fact: At all times, I carry a 30-pound backpack stocked with essential survival gear, including snacks, a pocket knife, a hand-knit sweater, rain gear, and MREs. I’m also an absolute weapon with a rake. I was also cast in the movie One Battle After Another with a star-studded cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, and Regina Hall- ask me about it!
- Favorite Field Snack: Whatever protein bars are on sale at Costco, and roasted almonds, especially wasabi soy or habanero BBQ.
Ruthie Griggs
Ruthie grew up in the high desert of Reno, Nevada, and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of Nevada, Reno. She brings extensive hands-on experience in field ecology, having worked in fire effects monitoring and wildland firefighting with the National Park Service in Grand Teton and North Cascades National Parks. As a Field Technician at Whitebark, she is excited to focus her field skills on improving forest health and regional wildfire resilience.
- What do you enjoy doing outside of work? I enjoy spending long days outdoors in the mountains trail running, rock climbing, and backpacking. I also enjoy bringing silliness, glitter, and delusional optimism along on my roller skating and bikepacking escapades.
- What is your favorite spot in the Eastern Sierra? In college I often drove down to Bishop on the weekends to go bouldering in the Buttermilks. I’ve spent many fun days out there touching sharp granite, feeding off the joy of my friends, and watching the desert sunsets.
- Fun Fact: I help keep the forest health team energized with high-vibe playlists. I love Linkin Park and have an impressive track record of hiking and climbing adventures in Greece, Mexico, Portugal, and beyond.
- Favorite Field Snack: Trader Joe’s Mochi Rice Nuggets.
Isaac Rotor
Isaac’s passion for healthy forest ecosystems began in the temperate rainforests of a small island in Washington state. After completing his B.S. in Environmental Science from Western Washington University and Quest University, he spent years honing his skills in the field operations of ecological forest management across the Pacific Northwest. First introduced to the Eastern Sierra as a traveling rock climber, Isaac is thrilled to be back on the Eastside as a Field Technician serving this landscape.
- What do you enjoy doing outside of work? When I’m not providing field support for forest restoration projects, I can usually be found rock climbing, cooking delicious food, and relaxing with a book.
- What is your favorite spot in the Eastern Sierra? My favorite place I’ve explored so far definitely has to be among the burbling streams, verdant grasses, and soaring granite domes of Tuolumne Meadows.
- Fun Fact: I’ve had numerous recent encounters with a curious and hungry bear that entered my home through the dog door. The bear helped itself to a full dinner of tortellini, fresh mozzarella, and many more delicacies before I chased it out of the house and down the street while yelling at the top of my lungs.
- Favorite field snack: Taco Works Chips – Original Flavor.
Katie Russ
A California native, Katie holds a bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a master’s degree in Natural Resources, with a focus on environmental education and science communication, from the University of Idaho. She brings a strong background in strategic communications, public outreach, and land stewardship, shaped by field conservation and forestry work across the globe.
- What do you enjoy doing outside of work? I spend a lot of time outside and have sunk whole years of life into bike touring, thru hiking and sea kayaking. Right now my favorite excuse to get outside is mushroom foraging.
- What is your favorite spot in the Eastern Sierra? I’m partial to Duck Pass. I hiked it for the first time in 2016, during an incredible snow year. I remember being awestruck by the beauty of coming over the pass and seeing Duck Lake, with rows and rows of mountains stacked on the horizon. It’s a view I’ll never forget.
- Fun Fact: In sixth grade, my regular PE teacher went on paternity leave and was replaced by a literal circus performer. It was a memorable semester- I learned to juggle bowling pins and ride a unicycle. I’m a bit rusty on the unicycle skills these days but I can still juggle.
We are deeply grateful to David, Ruthie, Isaac, and Katie for joining Whitebark and dedicating their skills to building a more resilient Eastern Sierra. Please join us in welcoming them to the team with a wave, a hello, or a kind word when you see them in the field or around town.