Who We Are


	Darilyn Parry Brown, Executive Director Darilyn returned to HCPC after five years as Executive Director of the domestic violence shelter in La Grande. Darilyn served as HCPC’s Development Coordinator from 2002 to 2005. As a fourth-generation eastern Oregonian, she knows the people, the mountains, the rivers, and the forests of the region. She has a deep and passionate appreciation for the place and its history. darilyn@hellscanyon.org

	Brian Kelly, Restoration Director Brian received a B.S. from Cornell University where he studied Plant Sciences and Forestry. He was the Urban Forestry Consultant for the City of La Grande from 1996 to 2005. During that time Brian was the liaison to the Landscape and Forestry Commission, found volunteers for urban forestry activities, spoke extensively about urban forestry, and was responsible for planting over one thousand new landscape trees. Brian established close relationships with people in the city of La Grande and developed a positive approach to resolving problems in this closely knit community. He has won awards for his work from the National Arbor Day Foundation, Oregon Community Trees and Oregon Department of Forestry. Brian is a Certified Arborist. brian@hellscanyon.org

	Veronica Warnock, Conservation Director Veronica grew up in Vermont, making annual pilgrimages to Eastern Oregon to visit family and explore the Wallowa Mountains. She fell in love with the west, and that led her to study at the Evergreen State College where she received a degree in Environmental and Land Use Policy. After working as a land use planner for several years in Western Washington, Veronica returned to Vermont to earn her JD at Vermont Law School. Veronica has worked as a summer associate with CRAG Law Center, a civil prosecuting attorney, and a nonpartisan attorney for the Washington State Legislature. In all of these roles she worked on a wide range of issues including land use, water rights, and mining. Veronica is thrilled to return to the area where she first cultivated her passion for the great outdoors. photo of Veronica at LeGore Lake, Wallowa Mountains veronica@hellscanyon.org

	Lauren Bihr, Outreach & Development Director After joining the NE Oregon-based band Bitterroot, Lauren became familiar with The Grande Ronde Valley through frequent visits, as well as its surrounding wilderness areas through backpacking. She began dreaming of a future here. Having completed her B.A. in Communications at Seattle Pacific University, Lauren is now happy to be a voice for Hells Canyon Preservation Council & an advocate for upholding the sacredness of this land we all enjoy. Lauren is at home in nature and considers herself blessed to have settled in a place with so much to offer. She is grateful to have the opportunity to give back to the earth and engage in the community by encouraging stewardship of the land through outreach and development. lauren@ hellscanyon.org

	Danae Yurgel, Office Administrator Northeast Oregon is Danae's home. She now lives on a 2.5 acre heirloom orchard "fruit forest" in La Grande. Her life is creating partnerships between the land and the people here. She is seriously thrilled to be part of HCPC after decades of working with various non-profits and cooperatives. danae@hellscanyon.org