Volunteer Land Stewards: Jasmine Vilar

By Pat Loomis, Conservancy Volunteer Writer

Jasmine Vilar loves to be outside helping others to appreciate and love our area.  This makes Volunteer Land Steward at our Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve the perfect fit for her!

Jasmine is currently a graduate student at the University of Idaho majoring in Natural Resources, on track to graduate this year.  A native of Spokane, Jasmine attended Western Washington University in Bellingham and received a degree in Psychology as a Social Worker Therapist.  She worked for a westside non-profit helping teach over 300 kids appreciation of the outdoors and respect for the environment. Her passion is being a public voice to educate and connect people, enhancing diversity and equity in the outdoors.

Jasmine has traveled internationally, working for conservation non-profits in order to pay her way.  She lived at a gibbon rescue in Thailand and helped care for primates that had been kept as pets or had their habitat destroyed by logging.  Jasmine also worked at a sea turtle preserve in Costa Rica, monitoring hatchlings and helping with beach cleanups.

Three years ago after 12 years of living and traveling elsewhere, Jasmine and her husband decided to move back to her hometown.  She loves the beauty and diversity of the Inland Northwest.  Although she didn’t participate in many outdoor activities as a kid, she is making up for that with lots of local exploration.

Jasmine’s heart is in community outreach and education. That’s why volunteering with Inland Northwest Land Conservancy is such a great fit! Learn more about how you can get involved with the protection of local lands and waters here.