Meet the Stewardship Coordinators!

PP&R City Nature Stewardship coordinators are eager to help you connect with your local natural areas. Contact us today to find out how you can get involved.

Marissa Aurora Dorais

Marissa works in parks adjacent the Willamette River on both the east and west side of Portland. She has a bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies from Lewis and Clark College and more than 10 years of experience working for environmental conservation and education non-profits and government in Oregon and New Mexico. Marissa works with volunteers of all ages to restore natural areas and also helps people experience the city in new ways through restoration and monitoring canoe trips to Ross Island and Elk Rock Island. When she's not working, Marissa likes to cuddle with her cat, Fang, travel the world, camp, work in her garden, surf, and snowboard.
You can reach Marissa at (503) 823-7016 or Marissa.Dorais@portlandoregon.gov

Susan Hawes

Susan works in parks on the east side of the Willamette River - many of which have been newly acquired by the City of Portland. Susan has a bachelor’s degree in Cultural Ecology from Linfield College, performed botany surveys in the Pacific Northwest for more than 10 field seasons, and managed volunteers for environmental conservation-oriented non-profits and government entities for over 8 years. Susan also volunteered for AmeriCorps for two years in the Portland-Vancouver area and became familiar with many of Portland’s natural areas during that time. She likes to garden, fiddle, hike, backpack, give massages (she’s a state-licensed massage therapist), and play with her amazingly acrobatic cat, Scout.
You can reach Susan at (503) 823-6131 or Susan.Hawes@portlandoregon.gov

Mary Verrilli

Mary's bio is coming soon! Mary works in west side natural areas and you contact her at 503-823-3681 or mary.verrilli@portlandoregon.gov