Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Hoff.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I care deeply about building healthy and resilient watersheds for all beings. And that passion stems from a childhood filled with wonder and inspiration from the natural world. It follows, then, that my path has primarily centered on connecting people with the environment. Originally from the Midwest, I studied Environmental Studies and Sustainability at DePaul University. I was the President of a student urban farming organization where I managed a campus garden and greenhouse, created a farmer’s market with our garden produce, organized volunteer events, and developed educational programs. These early activities sparked my interest in environmental stewardship and community engagement.
As I gained experience in restoration, field biology, and environmental education, my focus shifted toward watershed health and coastal ecosystems. That interest led me to earn a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. While working as a Graduate Research Assistant with the Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute, I helped develop a community-driven watershed management plan, combining scientific research and monitoring with stakeholder engagement, public outreach, GIS mapping, and communications.
Over the years I’ve worked in a variety of roles including Naturalist, Water Quality and Watershed Educator, Environmental Laboratory Analyst, Shellfish Biologist, and Coastal Land Use Planner. Each experience strengthened my understanding of aquatic ecosystems and reinforced the importance of viewing people as a part of nature, not apart from it.
Outside of my professional work, I am deeply involved in conservation efforts along the Oregon coast. For the past five years, I’ve coordinated beach, river, and highway cleanups with the Newport Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, organizing more than 100 cleanup events and building partnerships with volunteers, nonprofits, and local organizations. I also participate in several community science programs and serve on a few boards/committees for conservation nonprofits.
Ultimately, the common thread throughout my career has been my passion for communicating the vital connection between watershed health and community well-being.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road! The environmental field is highly interdisciplinary, and it was challenging for me to determine what my focus should be. I’ve always been interested in a lot of different topics including sustainable agriculture, environmental education, wildlife biology, watershed science, coastal ecology, land conservation, and community engagement. Over time, I realized that my holistic work and volunteer experiences were helping me discover what I enjoyed most, and, as a result, I have built a diverse skill set that I still draw on today.
Another challenge was that environmental careers often require a significant amount of experience before you can secure a permanent full-time position. Like many people in this field, I spent years building my resume through internships, volunteer work, seasonal positions, graduate school, and networking. There were times when I was balancing multiple commitments, relocating for opportunities, or taking jobs that were valuable learning experiences but not necessarily long-term roles. Looking back, those experiences taught me a lot about persistence and the importance of building relationships. Many of the opportunities that shaped my career came through mentors, professional connections, and community involvement. Volunteering with conservation organizations not only helped me gain experience but also introduced me to people who both inspired and supported my growth.
While the path wasn’t always straightforward, I’m grateful for the variety of experiences along the way, which ultimately helped me find a career that combines many of my interests, and led me to my current role supporting watershed restoration and outreach on the Oregon coast.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I love my job! I work as an Outreach and Communications Specialist for the MidCoast Watersheds Council (MCWC). The MidCoast Watersheds Council is a non-profit organization based in Newport that has been working for over 25 years to protect and restore nearly one million acres on the central Oregon Coast. We work to ensure our watersheds produce clean water, provide habitat for fish and wildlife species, and support a healthy ecosystem, economy, and culture. We rely on partnerships with local, state, tribal, and federal agencies, as well as collaboration with students, researchers, private landowners and the community to accomplish the work we do on the landscape.
In my role, I help engage communities in watershed restoration through education, outreach, volunteer programs, and storytelling. Much of my work involves designing outreach materials, managing digital communications, building community partnerships, coordinating programs and events, and creating opportunities for community members to participate in restoration and stewardship projects. I enjoy translating habitat restoration into experiences that are accessible, engaging, and inspiring for people from all backgrounds. I am proud of my ability to build connections between organizations, community members, and the natural world.
One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is developing a new community event called Conservation and Clay, which brought together art, science, and environmental education in a unique way. In partnership with another local nonprofit, Coastal Community Clay, I helped create a place-based workshop that connected participants to conservation through learning and creative expression. The program began with a guided walk along an estuary where participants learned about habitat restoration, the importance of tidal wetlands, and the role native riparian plants play in healthy ecosystems. Participants then transformed their observations into hand-built clay dishes inspired by the textures, forms, and patterns found in the landscape. Seeing people engage with conservation through creativity was incredibly rewarding, and the event demonstrated how art can be a powerful tool for fostering deeper connections to place and environmental stewardship.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The quality that has been most important to my success is strong interpersonal skills. Much of my work centers on building relationships- whether with volunteers, community members, nonprofit partners, agency staff, landowners, or educators. I enjoy bringing people together around a shared purpose, listening to different perspectives, and creating connections that lead to meaningful collaboration. Many of the projects and programs I am most proud of have been successful because of the trust and partnerships I have built along my career path.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.midcoastwatersheds.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midcoastwatersheds/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midcoastwc/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@midcoastwatershedscouncil
