Celebrating Earth Day and The Animals We Love

Happy Earth Day! GEM loves to protect public lands and the animals that inhabit them, which is why we focus on protecting wildlife in the community and at abandoned mine sites in Arizona and New Mexico.

We love helping the community as much as we love the animals we go home to each night. In celebration of Earth Day, we thought it would be fun to share a little bit about who we are and the animals we love. Enjoy!

Meet Eric Welsh, GEM's Executive Director, and his dog Timber (pictured left), the Vova Scotia Tolling Duck Retriever. Timber is a rescue and previously feral dog from the Navajo Nation. His other dog Hondo (pictured right) is a mixed healer and rescue from the Coconino animal shelter. Eric is an Arizona native and has always been fascinated with the beauty and intrigue offered through National Forests and Public Lands. Eric’s dogs often accompany him to field work sites, providing support through their endless energy and curiosity.

Jessica R. Cook is GEM's Business Manager and Chairmen of the Board. She is deeply passionate about GEM's mission and protecting wildlife. Jessica was born and raised in Arizona and currently resides in Prescott with her husband Brandon, dogs Winslow and Bella, and two cats Damien and Pablo.

Meet GEM’s Public Relations Coordinator and Grant Writer, Amie Winters, and her dog Loki the pug. Amie is originally from California and currently resides in Prescott. Loki often accompanies her to various GEM project sites, like the PUSD Indian Ed Program community garden building project (pictured left). Loki is a certified therapy dog and loves to interact with people from all walks of life.

Mona Welsh, GEM's Treasurer and Secretary, has lived in Prescott with her husband Gary for over 30 years where they raised two children. Her mission GEM is to help develop and raise awareness for the scholarship program, which will enable STEM students to help in funding their college education costs. She is pictured here with her dog Timber.

Sharon Andrus Felker is GEM's Director of Scholarship. In addition to working at GEM, she is the Business/HR/Transportation Manager at Northpoint Expeditionary Learning Academy (a Charter High School) in Prescott. Pictured here is her loving dog Primrose the rottweiler, who is also service trained.

Conner Gooding is GEM’s Geologic Consultant. He is a native of Texas and has worked in a variety of fields ranging from mineral exploration, education, materials testing and inspecting, to geologic consulting. He's pictured with his dog Carl, a mixed Heeler and reservation rescue who often accompanies him to job sites.

We hoped you enjoyed learning more about us and the animals we love.