Volunteering & Internships

Interns and volunteers are not only essential to the work of this organization, they also bring joy and energy to the many tasks that make our events and programs run smoothly. Besides helping with the daily job of managing logistics of office work, past interns have helped with tabling, public speaking, leading restoration events and much more. Each intern has contributed greatly to the effectiveness of our mission and the vibrancy of our time together.

As churches and faith communities of all kinds become more committed  to caring for this good Earth, we have more work to do and need more interns and volunteers to help.

If you are interested volunteering or taking part in an internship (for academic credit or on a volunteer basis), please email emoffice at earthministry.org and you will be sent more information along with an application to fill out and return with your resume.

Current Volunteers & Interns

Beth Anderson

Beth volunteered for Earth Ministry in 2007 coordinating field trips and then came on staff as Outreach Associate from the spring of 2008 to the spring of 2009 staffing our environmental health and toxics program. She has an undergraduate degree in comparative religion from Carleton College and recently received a Master of Arts in Transforming Spirituality from Seattle University. Beth also volunteers with Washington Trails Association on a weekly basis, where she is an assistant crew leader for their trail maintenance program, and serves on the Washington Wilderness Coalition board. She has a passion for helping others experience the wonder of the natural world and challenges/encourages those around her to live more lightly on the land.

Christine Buffalow

Christine began volunteering with Earth Ministry in March of 2010.  After receiving her undergraduate degree in Fine Arts Photography from Cornell University in 2008, she was delighted to discover an organization that integrated faith with the environment. As a volunteer, she has assisted in the Beyond Coal campaign, acted as an event photographer, and contributes to the organization's web development. Christine is a member of University Presbyterian Church in Seattle.

Mikaila Gawryn

Mikaila worked at Earth Ministry from June of 2008 after receiving her undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies from Seattle University until February of 2009. She has a passion for food sharing and food systems, which she directed towards updating the Caring for All Creation: At the Table module.  While adjusting to the post college life, Mikaila has taken up pleasure reading, cooking, and pursuing an avid interest in Asian histories and cultures. Mikaila has been a part of Jewish, Presbyterian and Catholic faith communities and currently attends mass at the Chapel of St. Ignatius in Seattle.

Bryson Nitta

Bryson has worked at Earth Ministry since April of 2010 as intern, lending a valuable supportive role to their work on the Beyond Coal campaign.  He majored in Environmental Studies at Seattle University, and focused most of his studies on philosophy; he especially enjoys the work of the philosophers Martin Heidegger, Karl Jaspers, and Søren Kierkegaard.  When not reading philosophy or working, Bryson loves to spend time writing literary haiku, playing music, and learning more about a mysterious and beautiful universe.

Chris Olson

Chris Olson served as an Earth Ministry's Outreach Coordinator through Lutheran Volunteer Corps during the 2008-2009 year.  A Wisconsin native, Chris graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he studied rural sociology and environmental studies. Chris currently work with the Washington Conservation Corps, where his restoration crew is focusing on restoring urban parks as part of the Green Seattle Partnership, which set the goal of restoring all of Seattle’s 2,500 park acres by 2025.  He continues to enjoy volunteering with Earth Ministry, both in the office and at events.