Staff Spotlight: Chloe Mankin

How did you first get involved working on oil and gas issues?

As a native of Southeastern Ohio, I was very young when I first noticed how the culture of my homeland was changing with the introduction of oil and gas infrastructure. One of my close relatives has taken a stand against the fracking industry since its early development in our region, and I have always felt compelled to support her work of standing up for the environmental integrity of my community.

What will you actually do in your role?

Chloe Mankin is FracTracker’s air monitoring technician.

I will be tasked with the installation, maintenance, and retrieval of samples from air monitoring equipment at sites across the Ohio River Valley. Additionally, I will be responsible for communicating this data, its findings, and associated educational resources with members of the communities that fall within the scope of the monitoring network.

Previous Position and Organization

My background in community development began with my work for Opportunity Alliance’s program known as the Maine Youth Action Network. I served as facilitator for several campaigns based in rural Maine, in which I led a team of youth representatives from local communities through the process of shaping, planning, and executing several regional events. Throughout the programs, youth gained workforce development skills, a knowledge of the resources available to their communities, and were connected with local advocacy programs for social and environmental justice.

What is one of the most impactful projects you are excited to be involved in with FracTracker?

I am extremely grateful to be part of the USEPA air monitoring study conducted by FracTracker and partner organizations. A lifelong dream of mine has been to find a way to communicate with, educate, and mobilize members of my local community towards protecting our natural resources and our livelihoods. I am endlessly inspired by the resilience of Appalachia in the face of industry, and this project will help to provide locals with the data, resources, and motivation they may need to stand up for their communities.