About Us

Chair

 

Niki Murphy brings over 17 years of project

management experience in post-fire recovery and habitat-sensitive environments. Her deep commitment to environmental stewardship led her to gather a team of experienced and like-minded professionals to tackle the urgent need for fire mitigation in the Rogue River area.

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As the founder and Chair of Wards Creek Restoration Initiative (WCRI), Niki established the board of directors in 2023 and cultivated vital partnerships with local and state agencies. These collaborations empower WCRI to meet the region’s fire prevention and ecological needs, while also providing education and outreach to residents. Her leadership helps ensure that fire safety efforts are implemented with respect for the delicate riparian ecosystems that make our community unique.

Vice Chair

 

Dee Copley brings a lifelong passion for the land to this project. She has been a Licensed Landscape Contractor 1982-86. Licensed General Contractor 1986-1998. Graduated from SOU 1998 B.S. degree in Psychology minors in Health and Art. 2014-present OSU Master Gardener, 2016-present OSU Land Steward, past OSU Master Gardener Board Member, past OSU Seed to Supper Program Coordinator. Current Rogue River Planning Commission and Rogue River Tree City volunteer. Her personal projects include designing demonstration gardens for
organic vegetables, native plants, pollinator plants Her tiny 1.5-acre waterfront land is certified Wildlife Habitat. In her spare time. she volunteers at the local community garden teaching gardening and produce safety courses. Her passion for the
environment in shown in her everyday life.

Secretary

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Nicole has over 15 years of experience as an Environmental Educator skilled in developing and implementing experiential, place-based curriculum using gardens, farms, and forests settings as a living classroom. She's worked with students of all ages and managed volunteers in an educational setting with nonprofits, State Parks, and the National Park Service. She currently volunteers for the Jackson County Master Gardeners Association and works with the OSU Land Stewards Program. She holds a Master of Science (M.S.) focused on Environmental Education and Nonprofit Business Management from Southern Oregon University. In her "spare time", Nicole is a chicken farmer, gardener and loves hiking, cross country skiing and fishing with her husband and baby. 

Member at Large

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Niki Del Pizzo brings over 20 years of experience advancing riparian restoration and ecological stewardship in southwest Oregon. She has led large-scale, collaborative efforts to enhance fish and wildlife habitat, protect water quality, and engage communities through place-based environmental education. With expertise in project design and management, she works with agencies, landowners, and community partners to restore riparian ecosystems, reduce wildfire risk, and foster long-term ecological resilience. Niki also contributes to community-based watershed restoration and wildfire preparedness initiatives, helping guide strategies that strengthen both ecosystems and the people who depend on them.

Member at Large

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Sandy brings a deep-rooted passion for the environment, water, fire prevention, and living in harmony with the land. A lifelong advocate for land stewardship, she raises cattle using regenerative farming practices and has dedicated years to protecting and restoring natural resources in Southern Oregon.

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With 26 years as a mortgage loan officer in the Rogue Valley, Sandy understands the connection between sustainable land use and thriving communities. She previously served on the Rogue Valley Watershed Council and was honored as Affiliate of the Year by the Rogue Valley Association of Realtors. Sandy has also been actively involved in local beautification efforts, including leading trash cleanups and organizing park restoration projects like the revitalization of Creekside Park.

Her dedication to preserving the region’s ecological health is matched by her belief in the power of grassroots action and community collaboration.