About OPLI
The Oregon Paleo Lands Institute is an educational, community-based non-profit based in Fossil, Oregon. Our mission is to help northwest residents and visitors of all ages to explore, understand, and enjoy the world-renowned natural history of north central Oregon, the ancient and living landscapes of Oregon’s last 400 million years, and the full fossil record of earth’s last 50 million years. We are partnering with other organizations in Oregon Solutions to provide and strengthen a sustainable economy throughout Oregon, especially rural Oregon. We offer trips, tour, hikes and workshops for adults, children and families that explore regional geology, do restoration work, and connect art and science. We work with schools, adult and community groups to broaden understanding of the Earth’s history, and the lessons it holds for us today. We invite you to join us on future adventures!
Oregon Paleo Lands Institute Board of Directors Roster (PDF)
Meet our Staff, Instructors, and Volunteers!
Dr. Ellen Morris Bishop
Executive Director
E-mail:
Favorite Quote: “The real voyage of discovery is not seeking new landscapes, but having new eyes.” (Proust)
Favorite activities: Cycling, photography, hiking with dogs.
Ellen is the Executive Director of the Oregon PaleoLands Institute. A geologist, writer, and photographer, her research helped define Oregon’s ancient, exotic terranes, and her award-winning book, In Search of Ancient Oregon (2004, Timber Press) chronicles Oregon’s geologic history. Other books include Hiking Oregon’s Geology and Best Hikes with Dogs, Oregon. She holds a Ph.D. in geology from Oregon State University. Before joining OPLI, Ellen worked in university teaching and research, as an environmental advocate, science writer, journalist and photojournalist, as well as an outdoor educator. Foreign travel includes the Himalayas of Nepal and Pakistan.
Andi DePreter
Program Coordinator
E-mail:
Favorite Quote: “Love the life you live, live the life you love.”
Favorite activities: Traveling, Yoga, Ultimate Frisbee, Hiking, Camping, Reading, Cooking
Andi is the Program Coordinator of the Oregon Paleo Lands Institute. Her educational background includes a BS from University of Michigan in Environmental Policy and MS from University of Vermont in Natural Resource Planning. Prior to joining OPLI, Andi and her husband worked in India at Kodaikanal International School. Her professional experience includes financing and construction of low-income affordable housing, developing environmental practices for ports worldwide, in addition to, environmental impact statements for various agencies.
Candace Hinton
Paleo Lands Bookshop & Gallery Manager
E-mail:
Favorite Quote: “Leap and the net will appear!”
Favorite activities: Reading a good book, baking breads, rolls and sweets, photography, walking, and growing plants. Wood Stove cooking and painting are my passions.
Candace began selling as a career back in the early 1970’s when she learned about cameras. She became a partner in the Camera Caboose in Fort Collins, Co. and taught photography classes. She used her abilities with painting to teach the students how to ‘paint’ a photograph. When she moved to Denver, she began work at Gart Brothers in the Camera Dept. and advanced to a manage one of their branch stores.
Candace has also worked in the bookshop at Denali National Park. “I was in heaven. I learned to say thank you in 6 different languages which thrilled the visitors, and I had a wonderful time.”
Candace has worked in the PaleoLands Bookshop and gallery bookstore since it opened, becoming manager in July, 2007. “I love selling and I love the atmosphere. There is a headiness to it, seeing someone happy as they walk out the door with their purchases, and to see smiles on their faces and know I did a good job. I leapt and the net appeared. I am so grateful for the opportunity to do what I love most.”
Robin Hunt-Palazo
Bookkeeping/accounting
Robin provides OPLI’s contract bookkeeping service. She is a native of Wheeler County, and worked as the bookkeeper and administrative assistant for Wheeler High School in Fossil, prior to starting her own bookkeeping service.
Michelle Ordway
Michelle has managed our SAGE program for children and families, and taught both art and botany classes for OPLI. A respected watercolor artist, she has worked for the John Day Fossil beds in mapping rare plants and plant communities, and in visitor interpretation. Michelle is a native of Spray, she also holds a Master of Arts in teaching, is a certified Oregon teacher, and has taught science, art, and elementary grades in Fossil and other regional school districts.
Meredith Dalglish
Meredith teaches ceramics and pottery, including classes in making pottery using native clays. A Ceramic artist, she holds an MFA, and is listed in Who’s Who in American Art. Her workshops are international, including trips and art-explorations in Scotland, Brazil, and Holland. She is founder of the Women’s Institute for Creativity. Currently residing in Portland, Oregon, she has completed commissions throughout the U.S.
Dr. William Orr
Bill Orr is a distinguished paleontologist, an emeritus Professor of Geology at the University of Oregon, and the author (with his wife, Elizabeth) of many books that make Oregon’s geology accessible to the general reader. His research has focused on Oregon’s modern and ancient coastal regions. He is also curator of paleontology at the University of Oregon Museum in Eugene. He lives in the scenic Cascade foothills east of Salem.
Distinguished OPLI Volunteers
Beth Bishop
Beth is completing a Masters degree in Counseling and Conflict Resolution, and volunteers in the Paleo Lands Bookshop. She also assists at trade shows and other events, and helps with filing and organization.
David Bishop
Favorite quote: “Difficulties mastered are opportunities won.” (Winston Churchill)
After working for the UN in Africa and as a USFS District Ranger, Dave volunteers in the PaleoLands Bookshop, and assists with publication preparation and distribution.
Randall Holly
Randy is a native of Fossil, where he owns and operates a building construction and remodeling business. He has assisted OPLI in tool-intensive, skilled tasks that include hanging signs and minor repairs.
Harvey Young
Harvey’s background includes working as a professional driver, as well as computer set-up and repair. His support of OPLI includes photography, computer technical support, and distributing and delivering publications and other materials.