WHIDBEY ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION NETWORK HIRES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MARNIE JACKSON Coupeville, Wash., March 16, 2023 — The Whidbey Environmental Action Network (WEAN) Board of Directors announced today that Marnie Jackson will be joining the organization as Executive Director, beginning April 10, 2023. Jackson brings a wide range of relevant experience along with deep passion and personal commitment to conservation, community, and connecting people with nature. She has been an activist and an advocate for animals, people, and planet since her early teens, when she was inspired by WEAN to organize South Whidbey High School students against a proposed McDonalds at Bayview Corner. With a passion for addressing the social, environmental, and systemic injustices affecting all of us, Jackson will nurture connections to the next generation of environmental advocates at a critical time for Island County.

The WEAN Board of Directors is excited to welcome Jackson at this moment, as the organization builds on the exceptional 38 year legacy of founders Steve Erickson and Marianne Edain and historic wins like the protection of what became Trillium Community Forest. “WEAN is thrilled to have a person of Marnie's caliber and commitment to our native ecosystems joining the organization as Executive Director. Strong community ties, cooperative partnerships, and active engagement with residents of Island County will most certainly be forged under Marnie's leadership,” said Andréa Linton, Board Chair.

“We’re glad to have someone who is thoughtful, intelligent, and competent to help us find our way and become familiar with the new terrain,” said Edain. “We welcome Marnie and expect to undergo a whole lot of mutual learning, which will enhance our capacity for action.”

This is the first of several planned hires, part of WEAN’s growth toward being a fully staffed nonprofit with wider reach within and beyond Island County. Jackson’s background equips her to lead in people operations, strategic direction, community engagement, communications, and fundraising. She worked with Whidbey Institute from 2013 to 2022, first as Communications Manager and finally as Executive Director during a campaign to add facilities and expand the educational nonprofit’s conservation forest campus from 76 to 106 protected acres. Prior to working in the nonprofit sector, Marnie worked in organic farming, teaching, and journalism. Most recently, she’s been a donor organizer with Showing Up for Racial Justice. She also serves on the South Whidbey School District (SWSD) Board of Directors, having stepped up in 1 of 2 response to student calls for more relevant, equitable, and climate-responsive education. With a strong interest in law, policy, and legislative advocacy, Jackson currently serves as SWSD’s Legislative Representative.

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime for me,” said Jackson. “With the strong foundation built by Marianne and Steve, a vital mission, and an amazing board of directors, WEAN is poised to continue its tenacious advocacy for our island’s ecosystems while expanding and deepening connections with community members and values-aligned organizations.”

Whidbey Environmental Action Network’s mission is the restoration and preservation of the native biological diversity of Whidbey Island and the Pacific Northwest. They accomplish this through education, activation, preservation, restoration, and, when necessary, litigation. After 38 years of grassroots activism on Whidbey Island, WEAN is growing into a fully staffed organization to continue nurturing thriving native ecosystems in partnership with Whidbey Island’s communities. To learn more and get involved, visit https://www.whidbeyenvironment.org/.