Staff Spotlight: Kailyn Klotz
How did your childhood influence your decision to work in sustainability?
We lived in the woods outside Spokane, Washington, and my siblings and I grew up outside. We lived on some property within a pretty dense forest. In the summer, we built forts. In the winter, igloos. And my dad would take my brother and I dirt biking, horseback riding, and camping in the panhandle of Idaho. I thought everyone did that. I didn’t realize until I was an adult how awesome it was and how privileged I was to grow up this way. It wasn’t until college that I knew I wanted to work in and for nature.
How did your educational and career path lead you to Sustainable Northwest?
I knew I wanted to work in sustainability or at least have a positive impact on the environment. I grew up during a time when climate change was being more and more accepted by the general public as something that was happening and being caused by humans. I went to college at Western Washington University in Bellingham, and I studied business and sustainability. I found myself in the Bay Area working in corporate sustainability, which was a great experience. But I eventually realized I was far from the natural spaces and topics I wanted to be talking and learning about. So I decided to go back to school for a master’s degree that would be more natural resource focused.
I also wanted to live abroad someday, so I left to earn a master’s degree in natural resources from the Vrije Universiteit in the Netherlands. That was amazing because I got such a global perspective on natural resource issues. We also learned about best practices in working with local communities around the world, which is very relevant to my work today. For example, I learned how solutions are more feasible and lasting if you let those communities lead and listen closely to them from the very beginning, which is exactly how Sustainable Northwest approaches their work.
What do you like most about your position at Sustainable Northwest?
I love that I am learning all of the time. I have one foot in fire mitigation (reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires largely by applying prescribed fire to appropriate landscapes) and one foot in post-fire recovery (helping forest landowners recover after a catastrophic wildfire). I find all of it fascinating. I get to talk about my favorite things every day, and I am constantly learning from people who are far more knowledgeable than myself. Working for a non-profit can be overwhelming, but it’s rewarding.
Passions outside of work: I love trail running because I get to use my entire body to connect with the elements. I have a gigantic golden retriever named Sebastian (Sebby) who runs with me. I also like reading, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Something you think is overrated: Zoom meetings. Social media.
One thing you think is underrated: Espresso Martinis. I think we need those everywhere. Also, physical, printed books.
Favorite thing to do on a day off: Trail running with a friend. Otherwise, sleep in.
Favorite place in the PNW: Spokane – land of ponderosas, the palouse, my family, and fire.
Book recommendation: Wizard of the Crow by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o. But my favorite book is Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins.
Cats or dogs?: Dogs
