Eliza King

Originally from Northern California, Eliza King (she/her) currently lives in Denver, CO on Arapaho, Ute, and Cheyenne lands. 

Eliza joined River Network in early 2026 as an AmeriCorps member through River Science River Corps, and organization that matches members with Colorado-based organizations dedicated to river and watershed health. Her time will be split between River Network and River Watch of Colorado. She supports the Communications and Outreach team at River Network and is very excited to learn more about community engagement within an organization that collaborates with people from all over the United States during her 9-month term.  

Eliza earned a BA in biology and a minor in English from Macalester College in Minnesota. Although she has always loved storytelling and science education, initially she pursued research post-graduation, working on projects around predator-prey interactions in Yellowstone and Kenya and non-native species monitoring on the Great Lakes. After an opportunity to work in education and outreach within a small community in Southwest Florida, she realized that she is also very passionate about community connection and outreach within environmental conservation and wants to pursue that in her career. 

Eliza recently moved to Colorado, so outside of work she can be found somewhere outdoors exploring her new home.

Which River Network value most speaks to you? 

Inclusion. Science and environmentalism can be very exclusive fields, but I’ve seen how they benefit when people from all different backgrounds are included. We learn from one another. We create stronger communities. We do better work. Creating access and opportunity for everyone fosters an inclusive network that makes us all better. Water, specifically, touches everyone, so it only makes sense that we are inclusive in our fight for clean and safe water for all.  

What was your earliest memory around water? 

I grew up on the coast of California and with family on the East Coast, so a lot of my childhood was spent outdoors and around water. My sister and I would spend summers with my aunt in Vermont, and I loved going to the lake surrounded by blueberry bushes. We’d always have a day dedicated to picking blueberries—with dips in the lake when we got too hot! 

How do you recharge outside of work?

I am always down to try something new and have found myself with a plethora of hobbies as a result. Right now, my cup is filled by a combination of social and solo activities, like playing volleyball in the park or curling up on the couch with a new knitting project and consequently getting distracted by whatever show I’m watching (currently the Pitt). I also love being in and around water and will do it any chance I can get; right now I’m learning to fly fish!