Leigh Parmenter
Program Coordinator

Ms. Parmenter arrived in Bishop in 1988 with a degree in Natural Resources and a teaching credential. Her first years in the community were spent working in natural resource related jobs locally and out of state for the U S Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, California Dept. of Transportation, California Dept. of Fish and Game, and private consultants. While raising her children, Parmenter saw a need for new and different programs for the children in the community. She was instrumental in the creation of a parent participation preschool and a summer enrichment program for elementary school students in Bishop. In addition, she is an actively-involved Girl Scout troop leader and organizer of weekend camps, summer day camps and many other activities for the Girls Scouts troops of the Owens Valley.

Parmenter was involved in the initial design of the pilot project, Scientists in the Classroom, Students in the Field , in collaboration with the middle school sixth grade teachers and scientists from local agencies. Along with Katie Quinlan, she set up training for community docents, who then presented two weeks of hands on field studies to 180 sixth grade students. She says, "the excitement the program generated in the students, teachers, parents and volunteer docents was tremendous. I am looking forward to joining scientists, teachers, students and community members in monitoring and observing the environmental changes that occur with the rewatering of the Lower Owens River."