Why we’re here.

The Wallowa Mountain Institute (WMI) works to educate and engage with all ages of young people through place-based, hands-on programs, increasing knowledge on rural issues, growing leadership capacity, building workforce development, and encouraging community and land stewardship. We are a program supported and housed under the non-profit entity Wallowa Resources.

All of our programs strive to…

  • Promote a deeper connection to the outdoors and local rural landscape

  • Educate the next generation of land stewards and community leaders

  • Increase K-12 STEM learning opportunities and science literacy

  • Create equitable access to outdoor science programs for ALL

Meet the Flock

Emily Bratcher

Youth Education Manager

  • Emily grew up in Albany, Oregon, but always loved visiting Wallowa County as a kid. Her love for animals, science, and being outside led her initially to fish biology, but eventually to outdoor education. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Science from Oregon State University in 2015. After working in the field for a few years, she decided to switch gears and go back to school. Emily did a hands-on grad program at the McCall Outdoor Science School, where she taught outdoor education programs for middle schoolers. In 2020, she earned her master’s in Environmental Education and Science Communication from the University of Idaho, and began working for WMI. 

    Hobbies: “hiking and backpacking, white water rafting, fly fishing, traveling, cooking, (amateur) photography, and watching home improvement shows.”

    Favorite Place in Wallowa County: “the upper Imnaha River. But the best view in the county is from the top of Pete’s Point!”

    Favorite Topic to Teach: “I love teaching kids about ecology and animals! I have a huge soft spot for scaly critters, especially reptiles and amphibians”

  • Email: ebratcher@wallowaresources.org

Lily Rhoades

Youth Expedition Coordinator

  • Lily was born and raised in a small desert town in Arizona before moving to Flagstaff, AZ, where she earned her B.S. in microbiology with a minor in chemistry. Craving the outdoors and the satisfaction of a hard day’s work, she joined an AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps fire crew where she worked alongside non-profits and the Forest Service serving communities in need. Lily spent the next three years working as a wildland firefighter with the Forest Service in the Willamette National Forest before relocating to Wallowa County. After two years of fighting wildland fire in the Eagle Cap Ranger District, she decided she wanted to share her knowledge and love for the outdoors with the next generation of explorers and happily accepted a position with Wallowa Resources' Youth Education program. In her free time, Lily enjoys adventuring with her partner, Rose, and their dogs, Charlie and Arlo.

    Hobbies: “Gardening, skiing, hiking, and traveling.”

    Favorite Place in Wallowa County: “Hat Point lookout in the early summer when the wildflowers are blooming.”

    Favorite Topic to Teach: “Wilderness medicine and anything to do with animals.”

  • Email: lrhoades@wallowaresources.org

Jacob Losby

Workforce Development Coordinator

  • Jacob was born and raised on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wisconsin before moving out west to attend the University of Oregon where he earned a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship and a minor in Music. Upon graduation he moved with his now wife to her hometown of Joseph to run a small restaurant for eight years. 

    Since the move, Jacob has spent much of his time weaving his way into the community of Wallowa County. He has coached track and field at Joseph Charter School since 2015, served four years as a Director and President of the Joseph Branch Trail Consortium board, and is the founder and host of Terminal Gravity Brewing Co.’s Trivia Night. 

    With his background working with youth, business management, and his experience in the outdoor nonprofit space, he was tapped to be a Crew Lead for the HAWK Internship program. He enjoyed the experience so much that he jumped at the chance to originate the Workforce Development Coordinator position when the opportunity arose.

    Hobbies: “Running, cycling, skiing, hiking, woodworking, and travelling.”

    Favorite Place in Wallowa County: “Ice Lake, or Slick Rock Creek on a spring or fall day.”

    Favorite Topic to Teach: “I really enjoy helping high schoolers develop professional skills. I also love teaching the geology of Wallowa County and how this amazing landscape was formed.”

  • Email: jlosby@wallowaresources.org