In continuation of Lee’s life work as an educator and lover of reason, wonder, imagination, and all things wild and free, this endowment helps youth and students interested in exploring the world philosophically and working to make the world a better place.
Contributions from the Merlin Lee B. Waian Memorial Fund cover:
- Honorariums for our student and community scholar fellows (in the Merlin Fellowship program);
- Philosophy in the community activities for youth
- Intergenerational programs
If You Are Interested in Contributing by Credit/Debit Card
Please complete our on-line donation by clicking the button below. You can make one-time contributions or become a sustaining donor.
If You Are Interested in Donating by Check or In Person
- By Check — Please make checks out to ‘Merlin CCC‘ and mail to PO Box 2034, Helena MT 59624. Please include ‘LBW Memorial Fund’ in the memo line. [Our Tax ID is 47-1479303]
- In Person — Visit us at our in-town office anytime. We are located at 119 Reeder’s Alley, Helena MT 59601. If we are not there when you stop by, please feel free to leave a note and/or donation in our secure donor box inside our screen door.
For more information contact Marisa Diaz-Waian at [email protected] or #406-502-2122. Our Tax ID is 47-1479303.
About Lee B. Waian
Lee was born and raised in Southern California. He mostly attended schools in Burbank, except for a brief stint in the 8th & 9th grade where he went to school in Corvallis, Oregon. He rebelled against the regimentation of public schools & lived for weekends, holidays, and summers tromping through the wild places near his home.
- Professional academic work history at UCSB included: a Scripps Institute of Oceanography trained/paid SCUBA Scientific Collector; Teaching Associate; Museum Preparatory; and Research Associate; Participated in a commercial fishing venture.
- Worked on projects throughout the U.S. as a scientist and manager ranging from design and environmental impact of bikeways to site selection and the environmental impact of nuclear power plants.
- Scientist and manager with a national environmental engineering corporation, a principal in the formation of a non-profit environmental assessment company, and independent environmental consultant.
- Ecologist on the classic Impacts of Growth study on Santa Barbara, resulting in a population growth limit set by Santa Barbara – the study was published as a text by Prager Press.
- Wrote, produced, and marketed a film on White-Tailed Kites and consulted on several other environmental films.
- Wrote and coauthored several scientific, technical, and popular publications, including Natural History Magazine, technical publications such as environmental impact statements and reports, and scientific journals such as Condor and California Fish & Game.
- Tenure-Track Assistant Professor and first Director of Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary, C.S.U. Fullerton.
- Established a Masters Degree program in nature interpretation.
- Licensed fishing guide, professional fly fishing instructor & consultant. Professor of Environmental Studies, Chair, Department of Environmental Studies, Acting Division Dean, Saddleback College.
- Developed a grant funded solar training program, an award winning Naturalist Training program and an Ecological Restoration program. Utilized grants to establish a campus outdoor classroom facility with endangered habitats representing southern California plant communities.
- Led a student, faculty, and staff effort to provide a thorough environmental survey of Saddleback College that provided a management tool for sustainable cost-effective management of the college.
- Consulted for/worked with several environmental & government agencies to help address damages and formulate and lead preservation & restorative wildlife habitat strategies and efforts after the 1988 fires in Yellowstone National Park and surrounding area fires.
- Purchased a large piece of land outside of Helena, MT and worked with The Nature Conservancyto set it up under a conservation easement. This piece of land is called ‘Merlin Nature Preserve.’
- Designed & helped build an advanced solar set-up & off-the-grid establishment on Merlin Nature Preserve that would serve as his residence (when he retired) & a place for wildlife & habitat monitoring.
- Put in motion the beginning phases of long-term wildlife habitat restoration on Merlin Nature Preserve in concert with neighboring ranches (all in conservation easements) near Helena, MT.
- Consulted with NGO’s and agencies in the effort to restore endangered Steelhead Trout in Southern California and other areas.
- Roamed the earth…
