Kellyx Nelson

Executive Director

650.712.7765 x 102
kellyx@sanmateoRCD.org

Kellyx Nelson has spent 28 years in the private and public sectors in program and project development and implementation, environmental education, organizational capacity building, community outreach, building partnerships, and developing solutions to difficult resource problems.  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 Peninsula Open Space 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 2016 Sustainability Award from Sustainable San Mateo County and 2012 District of the Year from the California Association of RCDs. 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.

Adria Arko

Program Specialist & Agricultural Ombudsman

650.712.7765 x 105
adria@sanmateoRCD.org

Adria serves dual roles as Program Specialist and San Mateo County Agricultural Ombudsman.  As Program Specialist, she is involved in all aspects of grants administration and project support. As the Agricultural Ombudsman, she serves as a liaison between agricultural producers and County officials, helps farmers and ranchers navigate County permitting and helping the County improve 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. Most recently, she worked as a Program Coordinator for Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo and as the Coordinator for the San Luis Obispo Food System Coalition. She lives in Bonny Doon, and spends her free time gardening, painting, and enjoying the beautiful outdoors.

Brittani Bohlke

Water Resources Specialist

650.712.7765 x 104
brittani@sanmateoRCD.org

Brittani coordinates a variety of conservation projects with particular focus on the stewardship of water resources. As the manager of the RCD’s water quality program, she oversees efforts to monitor and mitigate diverse potential sources of pollution entering our waterways, including confined animal facilities, marinas, farms, residential areas and rangelands. Brittani also assists with water conservation and water use efficiency programs for agricultural and domestic water users. Brittani holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Wisconsin and a M.S. in Marine and Watershed Science from California State University, Monterey Bay. Brittani has experience in research, project management, environmental compliance, and technical writing through previous jobs in the water industry, environmental consulting and with the U.S. Department of Energy. Brittani enjoys living Coastside in Pescadero, going to festivals, and backpacking.

Bryanna Whitney

Conservation Program Coordinator

650.712.7765 x 107
bryanna@sanmateoRCD.org

Bryanna works across several teams at the RCD on issues of drought relief, habitat restoration, vegetation management and  communications. She holds a 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. 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 landowners on the coastside.  She lives in San Gregorio, where she enjoys bicycling, birdwatching, making art, and community events. Bryanna continues to work to support small farms in San Mateo County and volunteers in wildlife rehabilitation.

Cleopatra Tuday

Conservation Program Coordinator

650.712.7765 x 115
cleopatra@sanmateoRCD.org

Cleopatra coordinates the slender false brome program 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.

Jarrad Fisher

Conservation Program Manager

650.712.7765 x 114
jarrad@sanmateoRCD.org

Jarrad manages the Drought Relief program at the RCD, and works across projects addressing issues of water availability, 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 completed his thesis while working on a large habitat restoration project for the RCD, and has a considerable background in natural resource management, biogeography, and bioclimatology. He 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.

Julian Carroll

Conservation Program Assistant

650.712.7765 x 117
julian@sanmateoRCD.org

Julian spends most of his time at the RCD in the realm of water resources: assisting projects that monitor, protect, and enhance water quality as well as those that assess water demand, conserve water, or improve water use efficiency.  He has also assisted with weed eradication and biological monitoring at restoration sites. With a B.S. in Earth Sciences from UC Santa Cruz focusing on ecology and environmental impacts, he has worked on habitat rehabilitation and monitoring for at risk San Mateo County Coastside environments.  In his free time Julian goes out hiking and exploring the coast.

Lau Hodges

Administrative Officer

650.712.7765 x 119
lau@sanmateoRCD.org

Lau wears many hats as the RCD’s Administrative Officer, including Deputy Secretary to the Board of Directors, Human Resources and Bookkeeper to name a few. Prior to working for the RCD, Lau spent 10 years managing the facilities and curating exhibits at a Victorian-era greenhouse and public garden. While it was incredibly enjoyable to build exhibits, aimed at getting kids excited about plants, Lau is excited to provide administrative support to the RCD’s project management teams that are providing incredibly noble, boots on the ground conservation. 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.

Naftali Moed

Conservation Project Coordinator

650.712.7765 x 120
naftali@sanmateoRCD.org

Naftali assists with projects that improve habitat and conserve water at farms, parks and communities throughout the District. He grew up in Pacifica, hiking, biking and volunteering in open spaces around the Bay Area before heading to school at UC Davis where he completed his B.S. in Environmental Policy and Planning with a focus on conservation. Naftali has worked on habitat restoration and stewardship projects in agricultural and natural areas with a number of nonprofits and government agencies. Most recently he was helping lead youth and community volunteer programs in Marin as part of the One Tam Initiative before joining the RCD. In his free time Naftali hikes, backpacks, tries to hone his photography skills and spends time with friends and family.

Sara Polgar

Conservation Program Specialist

sara@sanmateoRCD.org

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. Since she began working with the RCD in 2015, Sara has supported multiple efforts in a variety of capacities including project coordination, data analysis and report preparation, policy analysis, and workshop planning. 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. Sara and her husband and son love living on the Coastside, and enjoy hiking in the hills and walking along the Coastal Trail.

Jim Howard

NRCS District Conservationist

james.howard@ca.usda.gov

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.