Erika Harvey

Erika works on projects that promote environmental health, social justice, and economic prosperity in the Sierra Nevada region through research, data analysis, and community outreach. 

Erika has a MA in Applied Anthropology from San Jose State University (SJSU), with a focus in geoarchaeology. Her thesis research involved utilizing sediment and spatial analysis to determine site formation processes of a coastal archaeological shell midden site in the Caribbean. Part of this analysis included questions about how climate change could have influenced prehistoric coastal communities, and presently, bring awareness to how climate change is threatening our mission to conserve archaeological sites. Before attending graduate school, Erika competed for SJSU’s Division 1 swim team and graduated with a BA in Anthropology with a Minor in Geology. 

Originally from Northern California, Erika has spent significant time in Truckee: learning how to rock climb, whitewater kayak, ski, mountain bike, and backpack. Her passion for the outdoors, and love for the Truckee community stems from her history in outdoor recreation, time spent in the Sierra, and devotion to earth sciences. When Erika is not researching, she’s either partaking in one of the many recreational activities the mountains has to offer, photographing the mountain atmosphere, or swimming in an alpine lake.