Claire’s family arrived in Seattle in 1877 and worked in fisheries, forestry, and farming throughout the state. Her maternal great-grandparents owned a large farm in Lynden, Washington and her paternal ancestors established Manning Seed Co. in Roy, Washington.  Claire had a childhood full of Pacific Northwest adventures, inspiring a lifelong passion for conservation and recreation. She strives to help grow a conservation minded community in Whatcom County through meaningful community engagement. 

Claire holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and Resource Management from the University of Washington. She began her career in the outdoor recreation industry as a bike technician, team manager, and local community engagement lead. She started working in the Land Trust field while living in Southeastern Massachusetts, as the Programming and Outreach Manager for Wildlands Trust. 

She is thrilled to call the Pacific Northwest home again, and excited to share her love for this land with all members of her community. When Claire is out of office you can almost always find her on a trail or a beach. Whether mountain biking, running, or paddling, she is usually accompanied by her dog (and best friend) Chowder.