Welcome Naomi, RWP Coordinator
We’re excited to introduce you to Naomi Serio, our newest staff member! Naomi (she/her) joins us as our part-time Rethink Waste Program Coordinator.
About Naomi: Naomi joined The Environmental Center part-time as the Rethink Waste Program Coordinator in September 2024. Prior to joining TEC, she worked as an applied researcher at the University of Oregon, studying forest management and ecosystem resilience. Naomi also has experience as a science teacher, and works part-time with the Partners for Sustainable Schools’ Our Future high school climate leadership program. She received her M.S. from the University of Washington’s School of Environmental and Forest Sciences and her B.S. from Pitzer College in California. Outside of work, Naomi enjoys trail running, backpacking, reading, and geeking out on dog training. She recently moved to Bend from Portland with her husband and Australian shepherd, Nalu, and is thrilled to start building a community in Central Oregon.
As with all new staff, we asked Naomi a few “getting to know you” questions to introduce her to our community as she settles into the role.
What interested you about this role? Why work with waste? What’s this we heard about Trash 2 Treasure?
I think building community is a critical part of addressing the environmental crisis. That’s why TEC stood out to me- I love that it serves as a central hub for the community and that it promotes accessible ways to make our daily lives more sustainable. The Rethink Waste Program in particular caught my interest because it challenges our culture of overconsumption, which benefits powerful corporations in the short-term at the expense of the long-term well-being of the rest of the world. I believe thinking critically about the resources we depend upon and understanding their upstream and downstream costs can also help us simplify our lives and reconnect with our environment. Trash 2 Treasure! Oh boy… it was an upcycling club I started in high school that is totally put to shame by the impressive environmental work teenagers are spearheading today. I remember we made cards for nursing home residents out of old CD cases– I think my parents had a lot of CD cases lying around and I was bothered by the idea of throwing them away.
What’s the coolest thing you have ever done the week before accepting a new job?
I had my second interview for this position the day I flew to Tanzania to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro with my husband. I was super anxious about getting altitude sickness, but to my surprise we made it to the summit at 19,300 ft feeling pretty good, and just in time for sunrise! We also were fortunate to have the support of the kindest local crew, who made the weeklong trek a blast. The highlight of the trip for me was seeing lions up close in the Serengeti, which has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. They are truly magical creatures!
If you could change any one thing about modern life, what would it be?
There is so much I would want to change! I think I would just slow things down a bit, I feel we move way too fast in modern life and we are always thinking about the next thing we need to do. I don’t think it serves us at all!
What’s your favorite thing about Nalu?
Thanks for asking about Nalu! Nalu is our 3 year old aussie who is highly anxious and suspicious of any unfamiliar people, dogs, or objects. She has many strengths though! My favorite thing about her is that once you’ve finally earned her love, she is all in with you and is incredibly loving and affectionate. You are sure to be greeted with lots of squeaks once she’s accepted you!
Come meet Naomi at the upcoming Fall Fest happening in downtown Bend on October 5th. The Rethink Waste Program will have a booth set up at the event from 11am-3pm. Come say hello, pick up a Rethink Waste Guide, learn about our reusable dishware program, and more!