Adria Arko

Climate and Agriculture Programs Manager & Agricultural Ombudsman

Adria serves dual roles as Climate and Agriculture Programs Manager and San Mateo County Agricultural Ombudsman.  As Program Manager, she manages the Carbon Farming, Waste Reduction, and Urban Farming Programs. As the Agricultural Ombudsman, she serves as a liaison between agricultural producers and County officials, helping farmers and ranchers navigate County permitting and assisting the County with improving its agricultural permitting process. Adria holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Pitzer College and a master’s degree in Public Policy from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Adria has been involved in food systems work in California since 2009. Prior to joining the RCD in 2015, she coordinated a food policy council, assisted in the implementation of a Community Food Projects grant, and managed Coastal Clean-Up Day in San Luis Obispo.  She lives in Ben Lomond, and spends her free time gardening, hiking, and enjoying the beautiful outdoors.

Amy Kaeser

Conservation Project Manager

Amy manages conservation projects to address fish passage, in-stream habitat, and upland habitat and wildlife. Amy holds a BS in Environmental Science & Resource Management from the University of Washington, with a focus in sustainable forest management and soils and hydrology. Amy previously worked to restore salmon habitat in the Lake Washington-Cedar-Sammamish Watershed in the greater Seattle area, where she partnered with nonprofits and local governments on landscape-scale projects for coordinated habitat recovery. Most recently, Amy ran a conservation and recreation nonprofit in San Francisco, connecting people to urban trails and nature while conserving important habitat for wildlife. She’s excited to contribute to conservation efforts in San Mateo County. In her spare time, Amy enjoys getting outside to hike, snowboard, identify plants, and experience our beautiful local landscapes.

Andrew Hall

Conservation Project Manager

Andrew works to find innovative ways to free up water for fish, farms and people and to restore the watersheds that are used by all. Andrew earned a B.A. in Environmental Science from Colorado College and a Master’s degree, with a specialization in Water Resources Management, from the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management at UC Santa Barbara. His Master’s thesis group project with The Nature Conservancy sought to determine the feasibility of freeing up water for migratory birds and people in the Sacramento Valley by using a variety of mechanisms including water markets and impact investing. Andrew has a breadth of experience in areas such as habitat restoration, data analysis, consulting, groundwater management, and environmental economics. Andrew grew up in northern Big Sur and has a passion for protecting wild places and getting people into nature. In his free time, you will find him pursuing outdoor adventures among rock, land, and all forms of water.

Bryanna Whitney

Conservation Project Coordinator

Bryanna works across several teams at the RCD on issues of water resources, habitat restoration, biological monitoring and communications. She received her batchelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of California at Santa Cruz, where she gained experience in the natural history of California and practical applications of ecology. Before coming to the RCD, Bryanna worked in environmental interpretation and nature connection. Bryanna grew up in Petaluma, where she cultivated a deep love for rolling hills and farmland- that love extends into the work that she does with farmers and land managers on the Coastside.  She lives in San Gregorio, where she enjoys making art, cooking, birdwatching, and community events. 

Chelsea Beakes

Assistant for Special Projects

Chelsea supports administrative and organizational needs of the RCD. She has 10 years of technical and project management experience doing stream restoration and natural resource conservation, including five years at the RCD and five years as a private consultant. She is passionate about bringing organizational excellence to the RCD. Chelsea holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography specializing in Natural Resource Management from San Francisco State University.  Chelsea enjoys hiking with her husband and dogs or binging on science fiction novels with a good cup of tea.

Cleopatra Tuday

Biologist

650.712.7765 x 115
cleopatra@sanmateoRCD.org

Cleopatra is involved with “all things living” as a biologist for the RCD. She coordinates a program to eradicate slender false brome, an invasive weed damaging our redwood forests, in addition to other vegetation management and habitat restoration related projects. Cleopatra has experience in botany, plant and fungal research, conservation ecology and habitat restoration. After getting her bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Cruz in Plant Sciences she worked with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space assisting with vegetation management and habitat restoration projects. She also works with volunteers in Santa Cruz to restore local beach habitat. In her free time, Cleopatra likes to explore the Santa Cruz mountains and coastline with her dog and a sketch book.

David Cowman

Conservation Project Manager

650.712.7765 x 107
david@sanmateoRCD.org

David joined the RCD as a project manager working towards developing healthy, fire resilient forests and communities in San Mateo County. David holds a Bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Cruz in Environmental Studies and an MS from San Jose State University in Environmental Studies. For his Master’s thesis he studied the effects of prescribed fire on old growth coast redwood ecosystem health and fuel load in Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Before joining the RCD, David spent nearly five years with the California State Parks in the Santa Cruz district working in the Natural Resource Management program. While with State Parks he gained experience in the fields of prescribed fire, forest succession management, invasive species mitigation, and biological monitoring. Additional work experience includes making and maintaining trails, as well as commercial salmon fishing off the coast of California. In his free time you can find him running with his dog, gardening, or working on various building projects.

Erica Harris

Conservation Project Manager

650.712.7765 x 104
erica@sanmateoRCD.org

Erica works as a project manager for the Forest Health and Fire Resiliency program. She’s involved in the collaborative effort to remove eucalyptus trees in San Mateo County. As a wildland firefighter for the US Forest Service, Erica gained experience in fuels management and prescribed burning. Her community organizing includes founding the Bay Area chapter of Skate Like A Girl, running a successful cooperative enterprise, and supporting cooperatives through mediation services. Erica participates in public education and wildlife surveys on nearby public and private lands. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz.

Jeff Raifsnider

Conservation Project Manager

Jeff works as Project Manager in the Pescadero-Butano Watershed to help landowners cost-effectively control erosion and sediment. He worked with the Natural Resources Conservation Service as a Soil Conservation Technician, Soil Conservationist, District Conservationist and Public Affairs Specialist in four states: WI, NC, OH and CA and worked with the US Forest Service in WY doing timber stand inventory and in MN leading Youth Conservation Corps crews. Jeff has experience in farm planning and in design and layout of erosion control, water quality and wildlife habitat enhancement practices. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Natural Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a double-major in Soil Science and in Agricultural Journalism. Jeff also has an Associate’s Degree in Conservation Technology from Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, WI.

Jarrad Fisher

Senior Conservation Project Manager

Jarrad manages programs and projects addressing water resources, sedimentation, erosion, water stewardship, and habitat restoration. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Geography specializing in GIS and Remote Sensing, and a Master’s degree in Geographic Information Science from San Francisco State University. Jarrad’s master’s thesis monitored and evaluated a large floodplain restoration project for the RCD.  He brings considerable background in natural resource management, biogeography, and bioclimatology and spends much of his free time rock climbing and backpacking in Yosemite, Tahoe, and the Eastern Sierras.

Joseph Issel

Natural Resource Specialist

650.712.7765 x 106
joe@sanmateoRCD.org

Joe’s work focuses on creek habitat enhancement projects and efforts to restore streamflow through water conservation and stewardship. Joe has worked for RCDs since 2006, first in Santa Cruz County and in San Mateo County since 2011.  Joe holds a bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Cruz in Environmental Studies and an M.S. in Geographic Information Science from San Francisco State University.  Joe spends much of his free time at his family’s property in Albion, near the Mendocino Coast where they are actively restoring their redwood forest.

Kasey Butler

Conservation Project Coordinator

Kasey works on the carbon farming and waste reduction programs. She holds a B.S. in Community and Regional Development from UC Davis. Kasey previously worked on farms and managed a cut flower operation in Pescadero. She most recently coordinated two volunteer programs with UC Cooperative Extension. Kasey is a San Mateo County native who feels most at home in the fog and the redwoods. When she’s not working you can find her hiking, biking, gardening and adventuring.

Kellyx Nelson

Executive Director

Kellyx Nelson is passionate about public service and building strong alliances to tackle thorny challenges. She has spent nearly 30 years in non-profits, government, and the private sector developing, implementing, and assessing programs and partnerships for environmental benefit and other public good. She has served as the Executive Director of the Resource Conservation District since 2006.  Her diverse career has included 14 years as an environmental educator for underserved communities in New York and San Francisco, driving a Freightliner cross-country as a long-haul trucker, delivering packages as a motorcycle messenger, and managing conservation projects for a local land trust. She has an undergraduate degree from Columbia University in Political Science and Environmental Science and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from UC Berkeley. Under her direction the RCD has achieved distinction, receiving the 2017 Silicon Valley Water Conservation Award, 2016 Sustainability Award from Sustainable San Mateo County, 2012 District of the Year from the California Association of RCDs and more. In 2015, Kellyx was inducted into the San Mateo County Women’s Hall of Fame in recognition of her contributions to the overall well-being of the County.

Lau Hodges

Administrative Officer

Lau wears many hats as the RCD’s Administrative Officer, where she is excited to support its noble, boots on the ground conservation. Prior to working for the RCD, she spent 10 years managing the facilities and curating exhibits at a Victorian-era greenhouse and public garden in San Francisco. Lau holds degrees in History and French from the University of San Francisco and has studied Horticulture at Merritt College. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, nerding out on California history and tending to her garden in Half Moon Bay.

Maaya Hensman

Conservation Project Coordinator

Maaya is on the conservation team working on projects addressing fish passage, eradicating slender false brome and habitat restoration. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz and went on to work in environmental consulting and habitat restoration in the Bay Area. She has spent most of her life living on the California coast and enjoys hiking, camping, identifying plants, cooking and overall adventure.

Noah Katz

Water Quality Program Manager

Noah manages the day to day operations of the RCD’s water quality programs including monitoring, mapping, data analysis and education & outreach efforts. Before joining the RCD, he worked on water quality issues and green infrastructure in New York, California, and the UK. Most recently, Noah worked as an Environmental Analyst for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation focusing on Hurricane Sandy Relief projects in New York City. He has a Masters in Aquatic Resource Management from King’s College London. Noah is excited be back in California working on water quality issues in his home state.

Sara Polgar

Conservation Program Specialist

Sara supports multiple efforts at the RCD focused primarily on climate, erosion and sedimentation, and regulatory compliance. She works in a variety of capacities including project coordination, data analysis and report preparation, policy analysis, development of permit applications, and workshop planning. As a planner with the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) for over a decade, Sara worked closely with partner agencies and local governments on planning for sea level rise and other coastal hazards utilizing tools and communications resources that she helped develop. Sara holds a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University in biology and a master’s degree in Environmental Science and Management from the Bren School at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Sheena Sidhu

Conservation Program Manager

Sheena manages projects for the RCD’s Forest Health and Fire Resiliency program, which includes coordinating the Fire Safe Council for San Mateo County, supporting the neighborhood chipper program, and collaborating with partners and stakeholders to implement forest health and fuel reduction projects. Sheena has over 10 years of experience in outreach and extension providing technical expertise to support building sustainable and resilient communities.  Her program management experience includes conserving rare plants on the California Channel Islands, enhancing beneficial insect communities in diversified agroecosystems, and establishing a water-wise pollinator garden in a state park. She earned a BS in Environmental Systems from UC San Diego, and PhD in Entomology from Penn State University.

Jim Howard

NRCS District Conservationist

Jim has been managing ecosystem restoration projects for the past 15 years. He has worked for the U.S. Peace Corps, the private timber industry, two Resource Conservation Districts, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Forest Service.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in Forest Management from Humboldt State University and a master’s degree in Water Resources Management from Duke University.

Dillon Beatty

NRCS Agricultural Engineer

As the Agricultural Engineer for NRCS in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties, Dillon’s work focuses on the technical aspects of planning and designing conservation systems to conserve our soil, water, energy, plant, and wildlife resources. He graduated from Cal Poly with a Bachelors degree in BioResource and Agricultual Engineering with an emphasis in water resources and agricultural automation.