The Sacramento Valley Conservancy's mission is to preserve the beauty, character and biodiversity of the Sacramento Valley landscape by protecting and stewarding natural and working lands, and scenic open spaces for the benefit of current and future generations.
Protecting Lands & Wildlife
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21st Century Vision Map
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Preserving the Sacramento Valley land, water, and wildlife
Learn about the private and publicly accessibly properties that we manage, own and/or monitor.
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There are a variety of ways to donate to SVC.
Open Spaces Protected by SVC
Deer Creek Hills Preserve
Camp Pollock
SMUD Nature Preserve
Dry Creek Parkway
Bufferlands
Learn about renting the Myrtle Johnston Lodge, River Deck, Courtyard and Lawn weddings and other private and public events.
AMANDA BOHL
Amanda Bohl is a conservation professional with experience in the non-profit, philanthropic, and government sectors and who has developed and implemented land protection plans, community relations initiatives, and collaborative, community-based efforts. Amanda currently serves as the Special Assistant for Planning and Science for the Delta Stewardship Council, the State's lead agency in achieving the co-equal goals of water reliability and habitat restoration. Prior to joining the Council, Amanda served as the Economic Development Lead for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy, Program Director for the American Land Conservancy's Central Valley and Foothills Program, and as the Executive Director of the Mother Lode Land Trust. Amanda has a B.A. in International Studies from Southern Oregon University and an M.S. in Community Development from U.C. Davis. Amanda lives in Sacramento with her two children and enjoys traveling, running, swimming, and spending as much time outside as possible.
JENN PHILLIPS
Jenn Phillips is a Senior Policy Advisor with the U.S. Climate Alliance, where she leads the Alliance's natural and working lands and resilience work. Prior to this role, Jenn worked in the California Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) as a Senior Scientist on Climate. In this role, she worked on OPR's climate resilience program, supported the advancement of key science and data initiatives to support the state's climate goals, and worked at the interagency level to strengthen California's natural and working lands goals. Prior to OPR she worked at the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) and led OPC's work on climate impacts on the ocean and coast, including on sea level rise and ocean acidification. Before OPC, Jenn worked in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator's Office in Washington, D.C. as a Knauss Marine Policy Fellow and as key staff to the Administrator. Jenn has a masters from the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a B.S. in Biology from Cornell University. Jenn grew up in upstate New York and as a long-time ocean lover and new surfer, she is lately enjoying her time in the Sierra and foothills skiing, trail-running, and biking.
Don Rose is an independent business financial consultant, providing part-time CFO services for businesses and helping them optimize performance, plan for the future, and raise capital. He has served as Chief Financial Officer for several organizations in the Sacramento area, most recently for the Nehemiah Family of Companies, and previously for CPS Human Resource Services and Cal/West Seeds. He also served as Vice President/Treasurer of Valley Media, and Manager of Financial Services for Blue Diamond Growers. He began his career as an agricultural loan officer with the Farm Credit System. Don holds a BS degree in Agricultural Management from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and an MBA from CSU Sacramento. Don lives in Carmichael with his wife, Beth. He spends his free time in various trail related activities, including hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, and trail construction.
KATHERINE J. HART
Kate Hart is an attorney at Richland Investments. Ms. Hart's primary area of practice is land use law. She represents as Land Use Counsel, and has extensive experience with the Subdivision Map Act, Mitigation Fee Act, and the California Environmental Quality Act. She has worked for both local agencies and private developers processing subdivision maps, conditional use permits, rezoning and general plan amendments, and variances, as well as negotiated development agreements and various types of easements for residential, commercial and industrial properties. Ms. Hart is a member of the State Bar of California and the Real Property and Environmental Law Sections of the Sacramento County Bar Association. She also previously served as Chair of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. She earned a B.S. degree at Santa Clara University and a J.D. at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.
ROB DONLAN
Rob Donlan is a partner with the Law Firm of Ellison, Schneider & Harris L.L.P. His practice focuses on groundwater and surface water rights, as well as counseling on matters involving state and federal Endangered Species Acts, the California Environmental Quality Act, and other state and federal statutory and regulatory requirements affecting water users and water managers. Rob represents public agencies and private parties before the California courts, the State Water Resources Control Board, and other administrative agencies, and advocates on behalf of water users on policy issues involving water rights and water management.
ELISE FANDRICH
A native of the Sacramento valley, Elise recently returned to the area after completing college and graduate school in Washington, as well as practicing law for several years in Seattle. Her love of natural spaces emerged during childhood from frequent backpacking, skiing, and hiking expeditions throughout the Sierra Nevada. Her passion for environmental work grew while working on equity issues surrounding the environmental movement and volunteering with the Nature Conservancy as a docent at the Port Susan Bay Preserve on the Puget Sound. Elise currently serves in various capacities performing policy research and advocacy on environmental legislation in California. She views land preservation as a key ingredient for healthy and thriving communities and a crucial tool in combating the urgent threat of climate change. In her free time, you can find Elise cycling along the American River, gardening, and spending time with her husband and young son.
CURTIS FOSSUM
Curtis Fossum retired in 2012 as the Executive Officer of the California State Lands Commission. In that position he served on a number of boards including the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, California Coastal Commission, Delta Protection Commission and San Joaquin River Conservancy. The State Lands Commission manages over 4.5 million acres of land including the state owned rivers, lakes and the lands within 3 miles of the coast in the Pacific Ocean. Curtis worked on issues involving projects in virtually all California's 58 counties focusing on land issues including: title, boundary, land use, leasing, exchanges and public access. Mr. Fossum is an attorney and served in a number of legal positions during his 35 years at the Commission including as it's Chief Counsel. He currently serves as a board member on the American River Parkway Volunteer Equestrian Trail Patrol.
CASSIE GILSON
Cassie Gilson is a registered lobbyist and lawyer with considerable political and legal experience, having served as an attorney and political advisor to a variety of clients on issues throughout California. Before helping launch Axiom Advisors, Cassie was a lobbyist at Sacramento's largest lobbying and public affairs firm, where she represented energy, alternative transportation, land development, consumer products, insurance, healthcare and other business interests. Cassie's government experience includes serving as Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Gray Davis and on the legal staff of the Office of Science and Technology Policy in The White House. Before she began lobbying full time, Cassie was an attorney at the law firms of Landels Ripley & Diamond and Farella Braun & Martel where she advised clients on air, water, hazardous waste and materials, and land use laws and regulations. Prior to that, Cassie was policy and program director for the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance. Cassie holds a bachelor's degree from Wesleyan University and a law degree from Stanford Law School. She is an active member of the State Bar of California.
NATALIE KUFFEL
Natalie is the legislative analyst at the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR), specializing in land use law and the California Environmental Quality Act. Natalie became passionate about land use issues after growing up in the Central Valley and witnessing prime farm land lost to sprawling development patterns. Natalie has a J.D. with a concentration in environmental law from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law and a B.A. in Economics from New College of Florida.
JAY ZIEGLER
Jay Ziegler is the Director of External Affairs and Policy for The Nature Conservancy, California. Previously, Jay was principal of a Sacramento-based public affairs consulting firm, Ziegler Associates. The firm was founded in 2003 and specializes in land use issues, regulatory concerns and political communications. After graduating from UC Davis in 1984, Jay worked in the California State Legislature and later served as Deputy Controller for the State of California from 1989-1992. Jay also served in the Clinton Administration as Special Assistant to Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt for intergovernmental affairs (1993-1996) and served as Assistant Trade Representative for Public Affairs (1996-1999). At the Department of the Interior Jay's portfolio included coordination of strategies to advance collaborative conservation efforts between public and private concerns. In this capacity, he addressed a series of volatile and complex regional natural resource issues including as endangered species and habitat conservation, expansion of natural parks and monuments. Prior to starting his own consulting firm, Jay was the California state director for the Gore-Lieberman presidential campaign (2000) and then managing director, California Public Affairs Practice, for Burson-Marsteller, an international public affairs firm. Jay resides in Davis, California with his wife Carri and two children.
EMERITUS BOARD OF TRUSTEES
RUSSELL AUSTIN
Russell Austin is a partner with the business law firm of Murphy Austin Adams Schoenfeld LLP. He has more than 30 years of experience in private practice, specializing in commercial real estate and business law. His work has included a number of large, complex conservation transactions for non-profit conversation organizations including the American Land Conservancy. He has served as an Adjunct and Visiting Professor at McGeorge School of Law and as a Lecturer at UC Davis School of Law. He holds a B.A. from UC Santa Barbara and a J.D. from Boalt Hall School of Law at UC Berkeley.
CYDNEY BENDER-REENTS
Cydney G. Bender-Reents, MAI is principle in charge of the firm of Bender Rosenthal, Inc., (BRI) a Sacramento based real estate appraisal, right of way (ROW) acquisition, and relocation firm specializing in appraisal services, right of way management, and right of way planning for small and large government and private infrastructure projects. Ms. Bender Reents' professional experience in real estate appraisal began in 1991 and encompasses a broad range of land uses and property types. As a member of the Appraisal Institute, she earned the (MAI) designation, and is a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser, in the State of California. Prior to her career in real estate, Ms. Bender attended California Polytechnical State University in San Luis Obispo, majoring in Agricultural Business Management. Upon graduation, she entered the commercial construction field as a Project Manager for a Sacramento based general contractor. Her unique real estate background enables Ms. Bender Reents to grasp complicated construction issues as they relate to right of way projects and valuation matters.
LYNN SADLER
Lynn Sadler is currently the Director of Government Affairs for the California Public Utility Commission. Previously, she was Executive Director of Science and Collaboration for Connected Wildlands, formerly known as South Coast Wildlands, and the Mountain Lion Foundation, a national wildlife protection organization. Other professional experience includes Natural Resources Director for the Planning and Conservation League, Assistant Director for Information and Policy Coordination at the California State Department of Personnel Administration, and Legislative Consultant for the California State Senate Joint Committee of Science and Technology. A twenty-five year veteran of advocacy campaigns across the nation, Lynn ran her own public affairs consulting firm, working for diverse efforts ranging from the President of the United States to city council candidates, and the Olympics to local charities. Lynn co-founded and performs with the Sacramento Choral Society and serves on several local, regional and statewide Boards of Directors. Lynn graduated University of Missouri and Pennsylvania State University with degrees in political science and journalism.
ROBERT J SLOBE
Bob Slobe is the President of the North Sacramento Land Company. He is active in the community and has served as president of the North Sacramento Chamber of Commerce. He serves on the B Street Theatre board and remains active with many other nonprofits in the community as well. Bob graduated from Stanford University, and has a Master's degree from The American Graduate School of International Management. Bob's love of the outdoors is reflected in his hobbies of tennis, running, skiing, hunting and travel and spending time restoring habitat on the family ranch in Colusa County.
DICK TROY
Dick Troy is former Deputy Director for Operations for California State Parks. He was responsible for overseeing the management and operation of more than 265 state parks, reserves, historic sites and recreation areas. Dick has a BA in Geography/Biology from San Diego State University. Dick also serves on the Board of the California State Railroad Museum Foundation, the Anza Borrego Foundation and is the President of the California Recreational Trail Conference Foundation.
CHRIS UNKEL
Chris Unkel currently works for American Rivers as Director of Conservation, Central Valley River Restoration on floodplain expansion and other issues. He was formerly Director of Public Policy for the Western Region of Ducks Unlimited and a Senior Field Representative for The Nature Conservancy, Cosumnes River/Delta Project. And, prior to that he directed the California Wildlands Program for the California Department of Fish & Game (a start up interpretive program for the state's major public wildlife areas). He also served as a consultant for the Assembly Resources, Land Use and Energy, and Water Parks and Wildlife Committees. He holds a Ph.D. and an M.S. in Wildlife Biology from Colorado State University and a B.S. from the University of Montana.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY CONSERVANCY STAFF
KELLY HOPKINS
Kelly is a Bay Area native who grew up camping, backpacking and sailing in the Sierra. With 7 years experience as a Girl Scout, Kelly has an enthusiastic and energetic attitude toward outdoor recreation, responsibility and education. Kelly is a Leave No Trace and PEAK (Promoting Environmental Awareness in Kids) trainer with 5 years of experience, reaching hundreds of kids in the greater Sacramento area. Kelly has a B.S. in Organizational Communication Studies from California State University Sacramento. When she's not working, Kelly's favorite outdoor activities include cycling, hiking and photography.
ACQUISITION DIRECTOR
AIMEE B. RUTLEDGE
Aimee Rutledge has been Executive Director of the Sacramento Valley Conservancy since October 1996. Previously, Ms. Rutledge helped found the Friends of the Sacramento River Greenway, worked with the American Institute of Architects, California Council as Director of Governmental Relations, and ran her own consulting firm, ABR Services, serving as legislative advocate for the California Bicycle Coalition and performing outreach and advocacy services for various other clients. She holds a BA in History from Pomona College and is a graduate of Sacramento High School. Ms. Rutledge is also a Commissioner Emeritus on the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Vice President and California Program Manager of The Wilderness Land Trust, and Acquisitions staff at the California Tahoe Conservancy.
SUE SPIVEY
Sue was born in the Bay Area and raised in Auburn. She has more than 25 years in Business Management in the medical, real estate and accounting fields. She has earned an AA from Sierra College, a California Real Estate License, and is a registered CTEC with the IRS. Sue enjoys multiple outdoor activities including running, cycling and kayaking. As an avid distance runner, she spends at least 5 days a week along the American River Parkway. Sue volunteers several times a year to the parkway clean up as a way to give back to the community. She cares about the environment, protecting open spaces and is excited to be a part of the SVC team.
STEWARDSHIP DIRECTOR
MARSHALL GORHAM
Marshall is a San Diego native who grew up visiting family in Sacramento, and thus developed a love for the area. He earned a B.S. in Kinesiology from San Diego State University, however, decided to follow his passion for the outdoors. As a Park Ranger for the County of San Diego, Marshall was given the opportunity to work at the beautiful San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve maintaining trails, leading nature walks, and assisting with natural resource management issues. In addition, Marshall attained an M.S in Parks and Public Land Management through the University of Indiana to further commit himself to working in conservation and recreation. He is honored to be a member of the SVC team and play a part in preserving the Sacramento Valley landscape.
COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING DIRECTOR
AMY RODRIGUES
Amy was raised in the Bay Area and moved to Sacramento in 2007 after graduating from UC Santa Barbara with a degree in Zoology and minor in Geological Sciences. She served a year in AmeriCorps through the Sierra Nevada Alliance and focused on helping rural communities coexist with wild predators. Amy has a graduate certificate in Environmental Policy and Law, and also worked for the Mountain Lion Foundation and Sacramento Zoo. In 2015, as part of National Geographic's series Mygrations, she became one of the first Americans to walk across the Serengeti, and completed the treacherous trek with no weapons or modern gear, and on less than 400 calories per day! Amy has always had a passion for protecting wildlife and wild places, and is proud to be a part of the SVC family.
ACQUISITION SPECIALIST
RIC HARTMAN
Richard "Ric" Hartman comes to the Sacramento Valley Conservancy from Florida where he worked as a multimodal transportation planner, "Complete Streets" advisor, and city planner for 15 years. Ric also presented bicycle and pedestrian safety courses as part of a research grant for the Florida Department of Transportation and taught urban planning at the University of South Florida. The Sea Grant Law Journal published his study on fertilizer ordinances in Florida and their effect on Harmful Algal Blooms. He advocated for environmental protections of coastal resources as a Board Member for the of Solutions to Avoid Red Tide organization. Ric is a certified city planner (AICP), bicycling instructor (LCI), and a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator. He lived in southern California for over 23 years where he obtained his undergraduate degree from UCLA; a Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law in San Diego later earning a Masters of Applied Geography from Texas State University at San Marcos, where he wrote his final research paper on the impact of Greenways and Recreational Trails on residential property values. Although surfing is his first love, his dry land passions are trail running, hiking, and biking.
STEWARDSHIP ADVISOR
LUCIE ADAMS
Lucie joined SVC in November 2011. Lucie is a biologist whose love of plants and the outdoors resulted in a degree in environmental studies and biology from the University of California at Santa Barbara. She moved on to a career as a field biologist and botanist for various government agencies and environmental consulting firms. Lucie also works for the Sacramento Splash program where she shares her love of vernal pool ecosystems with children and their families. Lucie enjoys spending her free time traveling to new places to hike, bike and enjoy the outdoors.
CAMP POLLOCK MANAGER & PROGRAM ASSISTANT
TIM FIOCK
Tim graduated from California State University, Sonoma with a B.A. degree in Environmental Studies, as well as minors in Biology and Geography. Tim has experience as a veterinary technician's assistant and raising Guide Dogs for the Blind. Tim has done volunteer work with the Sonoma Land Trust and Leave no Trace and is very excited to be a part of the Sacramento Valley Conservancy team. In his spare time Tim enjoys backpacking, sailing and being in the great outdoors.
CARLY AMATISTO
Carly grew up the daughter of an avid fly fisherman in the suburbs of Los Angeles County. Outdoor recreation like rock climbing, surfing, camping and fishing were always considered special and necessary activities in her life. After receiving an AA Degree from Fullerton College, she transferred to Sacramento State University to study Recreation Administration with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation. During college Carly worked at Peak Adventures, the outdoor education program at CSUS, providing program support. Before graduating she completed an internship with the Bend Parks and Recreation District in Bend, Oregon. Since receiving her Bachelor of Science Degree Carly has worked in the field of aging planning programs. While living on a 6-acre property near the Cosumnes River she began to develop a new appreciation for land conservation and the importance of protecting wild space. As a member of the SVC team she is grateful to be doing work that will leave a legacy for future generations.
ADMINISTRATIVE & ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT
KATHY CRUMLY
Kathy was born on Travis Air Force Base because her father was a career serviceman. She moved around a lot as a child, living in 4 different foreign countries and crossing the US twice before she was 12 years old. Kathy has lived in Roseville for the majority of her life. She feels Roseville was a wonderful place to live when she was young, but unfortunately, there has been so much development. Kathy is excited to work for an organization that is protecting the land. She brings nearly 30 years of accounting experience to SVC. Kathy is also a fan of the San Francisco Giants and enjoys football.
STEWARDSHIP SPECIALIST
MATT EGAN
Matt is a Sacramento native with a passion for protecting open spaces within the community he calls home. Matt has extensive knowledge of agriculture, developed through a lifetime of work in his family's cattle operation. Matt earned a degree in Environmental Policy from the University of Portland in 2018, which furthered his interest in pursuing a career in conservation. In college, he studied Spanish, and has traveled in such countries as Ecuador and Mexico, and is working to develop his Spanish language skills. Before working for SVC, Matt worked for the California Waterfowl Association, assisting in the development of their Egg Salvage program. Matt also works as a consultant for a local Water Company in order to help them solicit public funding through grants. When not at work, Matt can be found hiking, biking, playing pick-up basketball, growing peppers in his garden, attending local live music events and working on his family's ranch.
STEWARDSHIP SPECIALIST ADVISOR
FRED TRACY
Fred is a native of Carmichael and grew up in the greater Sacramento area. He earned degrees in natural resource and watershed management from Humboldt State and University of Arizona and is fluent in Spanish. Fred has experience in natural resource management and environmental education, garnered as a Peace Corps Volunteer, technical advisor, and project manager in Latin America. As an SVC team member, he enjoys maintaining, monitoring and exploring SVC's protected open space, and enabling visitors to discover the wonders of Deer Creek Hills.
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