SCLTCBoard and Staff

Chuck Peck, President

Chuck Peck is Executive Director of the Sierra Foothill Conservancy in Prather, CA. Chuck has been an active environmentalist since the 1970s. He served as President of the Fresno Audubon Society for years and, with his wife, operated as volunteer preserve manager from 1991 to 1998 for two Nature Conservancy preserves in Fresno County. When The Nature Conservancy decided to transfer the preserves to a local entity, Chuck formed the Sierra Foothill Conservancy to take over management of those preserves. He has also been active in the formation of SCLTC.

Paul Hardy, Vice President

Paul Hardy, Executive Director, Feather River Land Trust. Paul was born and raised in Portola and is a founder of FRLT. A wildlife biologist by training, Paul has had to "reeducate" himself in the ways of being a land trust executive director. As the homeland increasingly beckoned and their college years came to a close, Paul and his wife Rhonda chose to move back to Plumas County in 1998. Paul is grateful for the opportunity to give back to the lands that have given so much to him. He enjoys spending high quality time with his family and friends, often in nature. Paul especially cherishes the opportunity to rediscover the places he loves with Rhonda and through the experiences of his 2-year-old daughter, Emmalyn Sierra.

Kathleen Gilman, Treasurer

Kathleen Gilman is the Executive Director of Shasta Land Trust, and is a northern California native. She has a B.S. in Zoology and an M.S. in Biological Conservation. Ms. Gilman has long been interested in land conservation, due to the influence of her parents raising her to love the outdoors, as well as her many experiences as a teenager exploring by horseback the oak-studded hills of Redding and other north state areas. Ms. Gilman founded Shasta Land Trust in 1998. Previous employment included Curator at the Carter House Natural Science Museum from 1986 to 1990, project manager of the Western Shasta Resource Conservation District, and field biologist at the California Department of Fish and Game. She is married, with one daughter. Her hobbies include reading, horseback riding, and other outdoor activities.

Tony Taylor, Secretary

SCLTC BOARD MEMBERS

Bohl, Amanda is the American Land Conservancy’s Project Manager.    A native of Amador County, Amanda works to support ALC’s work with private landowners in the Sierra Foothill region.  Amanda has worked for Resources Legacy Fund Foundation, has served many years on the Board of the Mother Lode Land Trust (formerly Amador Land Trust), was a past Director of the Amador County Recreation Agency and has worked for the California Assembly.  Amanda lives in Sacramento, California.

Coleman-Hunt, Marty has been Nevada County Land Trust’s Executive Director since January 2007.  Marty holds a B.A. from UC Santa Cruz in Linguistics and an M.B.A. from San Francisco State University.  She has a long career as a marketing professional for non-profit organizations and businesses.  She ran an anti-toxics campaign under Mayor Dianne Feinstein.  Marty sees the Nevada County Land Trust having the unique ability to interpret the wishes of the community about how the land is used.  She currently owns Green Communications Group which offers marketing services for organizations promoting “green” initiatives.  Marty lives in Nevada City, California.

Darlington, Jeff was hired as the first Executive Director of Placer Land Trust in May 2002. He made an immediate impact in PLT’s conservation projects completion, outreach, and fundraising efforts.  He grew up in Auburn, and is the 4th generation of his family to reside in Placer County. Jeff has a BA in History with a Minor in Geography from the University of California, Berkeley. He came to Placer Land Trust from the Mono Lake Committee, a highly successful nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to the preservation of the Mono Lake Basin in the Eastern Sierras. Jeff is also a freelance writer, and has been published in several regional and national publications.  Jeff lives in Auburn, California.

Ehrgott, Alan is the Executive Director of the American River Conservancy.  Alan was a founder of SCLTC and served as Board Secretary for 3 years.  He has served as ARC’s executive director for 17 years overseeing its education, stewardship and conservation programs.  Alan has completed 51 conservation projects protecting and enhancing over 7,800 acres of fisheries, endangered species habitat and recreational lands within the American and Cosumnes River watersheds.  Alan has lived in the small town of Coloma in El Dorado County for the past twenty years.

Freilich, Larry is the new Executive Director of the Eastern Sierra Land Trust, replacing founding executive director Julie Bear.  Larry Freilich is the Executive Director of the Eastern Sierra Land Trust, joining the organization in February of 2008. The Eastern Sierra Land Trust is a nonprofit organization, founded in 2001, that works with willing landowners to protect vital lands in the Eastern Sierra for their scenic, recreational, historical, agricultural, botanic, watershed and wildlife values.  The organization has over 700 members.  Larry has more than 20 years experience in non-profit organizational development and management. Prior to joining the ESLT, he worked in the Texas Hill Country as the Development Director for Westcave Nature Preserve. Larry worked for the Sierra Club for more than 13 years and founded a Nation Field Office for the Club that served all of Texas and Arkansas. He served on many of the Club's national committees, and his organizing of national volunteers was instrumental in passing the California Desert Protection Act. He has provided strategic planning assistance, and program support to grassroots groups throughout his career.  Larry had previously lived in the Eastern Sierra for five years where he worked as a fisheries biologist and participated in conservation activities.  Larry graduated from The University of California in 1985 with a BA in Biology. He is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys biking, hiking, kayaking and camping with his wife and daughter. He is also an accomplished photographer, metal sculptor and woodworker.

Gilman, Kathleen is SCLTC Treasurer and the Executive Director of Shasta Land Trust.  Kathleen is a northern California native. She has a B.S. in Zoology and an M.S. in Biological Conservation, which has been helpful in evaluating and completing easements for her land trust.   Ms. Gilman founded Shasta Land Trust in 1998. Previous employment included Curator at the Carter House Natural Science Museum, project manager of the Western Shasta Resource Conservation District, and field biologist at the California Department of Fish and Game.  Kathleen lives in Redding, California.

Hardy, Paul is SCLTC Vice-president and Feather River Land Trust Executive Director.  Paul was born and raised in Portola and is a founder of FRLT.  A wildlife biologist by training, Paul learned land trust management on the job, where his biology training has been helpful in conducting land transactions for Feather River.  After a stint away, Paul and his wife Rhonda chose to move back to Plumas County in 1998.  Paul is grateful for the opportunity to give back to the lands that have given so much to him.  Paul lives in Quincy, California.

Jones, Betony  is a new At-Large member of the board, joining SCLTC in 2007.  She is Program Director working on sustainable forestry, carbon credits, the Placer Legacy Program and sustainable business practices for the Sierra Business Council.  Betony has a BA in Plant Biology and a Masters from Yale University from the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.  Betony’s varied past work experiences include: visiting researcher at the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew, London, where she identified 500 plant species collected in Malaysian Borneo to document traditional plant knowledge.  She also managed the ethnobotanical survey in the Kudat region of Borneo, and worked for the United States Global Change Research Program in Washington, DC, as well as analyzing Alaskan medicinal plants for pharmaceutical potential.  Betony lives in South Lake Tahoe, California.

Kermeen, Brian is Vice President of the Tuolumne County Land Trust, where he has been a director for more than 10 years.  He is employed by the USDA Forest Service in recreation management and is a licensed Landscape Architect.  Brian has lived in the Central Sierra Nevada since 1976.  He is currently a director for the Tuolumne County Visitor Bureau, the Tuolumne County Trails Council, and is active in many other community activities.  Brian lives in Sonora, California.

Mas, Alex works for The Nature Conservancy on land conservation projects throughout the state.   Alex lives in San Francisco, California.

Mulholland, Sopac McCarthy is the Executive Director of the Sequoia Riverlands Trust.  Soapy joined SRT as the first paid Executive Director in March 2002. She brings to SRT a unique history with experience in ranch management, land development and agriculture that guides her conservation vision. Since 1989, she has served as the general manager of her family's 40-year old River Valley Ranch in Springville and has owned and operated the McCarthy Creek Ranch in Porterville for over 10 years. Through her sole proprietorship, Sopac and Associates, she actively engaged in the field of real estate entitlements and government and agency land use. She previously served as interim President of the Tulare County Economic Development Corporation and as Director of Development for the California Agricultural Education Foundation. Soapy lives in Springville, California.

Norris, Perry is the Executive Director of the Truckee Donner Land Trust. He oversees a very active land conservation program as well as a popular trails project in the Donner area.  He was the former Chief Operating Officer for the North Carolina Outward Bound School, and a former Deputy Director, Pacific Crest Outward Bound School. He is a past Board member of the Tahoe International Film Festival. Perry lives in Truckee, California.

Peck, Chuck is SCLTC President and Sierra Foothill Conservancy’s Executive Director. Chuck was a founder of SCLTC as well as the California Council of Land Trusts.  He was a founder of SFC and has guided his land trust to conserve over 15,000 acres of habitat and rangeland.  He served as President of the Fresno Audubon Society for years and, with his wife, operated as preserve manager from 1991 to 1998 for two Nature Conservancy preserves in Fresno County.  Chuck lives is Aubery, California.

 Reban, Alicia is the founding Executive Director and now co-Executive Director of the Nevada Land Conservancy, Nevada’s first independent “homegrown” land trust, founded in 1998.She shares this role with Chuck Pope.  She serves as an advisor to the Community Foundation of Western Nevada, a director on the board of the Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada, and is active in the Reno Rotary Club.   Alicia is a Certified Fund Raising Professional, former president of the Sierra chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and recipient of the William H. Williams Award for Outstanding Fund Raising Executive in 2000.  Alicia lives in Reno, Nevada.

Robinson, Steve is the President and founder of Mountain Meadows Conservancy.  He has lived in Westwood, Lassen Co., for 31 years.  He graduated from Mission Bay High School and received an A.A. degree from Lassen College.  He served as a Sergeant in the United States Air Force from 1966-1970.  He then worked as a carpenter until he retired in 1991.  Mr. Robinson is the driving force behind Mountain Meadows Conservancy and serves in the capacity of Executive Director.  He treasures and enjoys his connection to Mountain Meadows and Mountain Meadows Reservoir.

Routt, Ellie is the Mother Lode Land Trust’s new Executive Director.   Ellie was born and raised in Amador County where she was an active 4-H member.  After high school she attended Santa Rosa Junior College with a major in Forestry/Natural Resources and Recreation.  Ellie attended Humboldt State majoring in Rangeland Resource Science.  After graduation she started working for MLLT.  Ellie has two little boys, Collin 3 and Isaac 1 and enjoys hiking, camping, horseback riding and swimming, gardening and identifying plants.  Ellie lives in Jackson, California.

Sayles, Matthew - Executive Director of Lassen land and Trails Trust.  Matt worked for the Nature Conservancy (Michigan Chapter) as a contract Protection Specialist, and was the first Director of the Central Lake Superior Land Conservancy in Marquette Michigan.  He helped protect over 1000 acres of private land in the Central Upper Peninsula of Michigan in his tenure, and also worked and represented the CLSLC in International Land Trust partnerships with Canada. Since coming on board with LLTT in March of 2007, Sayles has helped secure funding for 12 miles of new Mountain Bike trails in Lassen County, and is currently negotiating the acquisition of 85 miles of former rail-lines in Lassen and Modoc Counties to be converted to a public trail system.  Matthew lives in Susanville, California.

Sutton, David is the Director of the Trust for Public Land's Sierra Nevada Program and the Northern California Program, a position he has held since January 2000. He has been a member of TPL's project staff since 1989, and served as the Western Region's Director of Projects from 1996-1999. During his tenure at TPL, Mr. Sutton has completed more than 25 land conservation projects, protecting nearly 40,000 acres in California and the Southwest. Mr. Sutton has worked in the parks and land conservation field for more than twenty years. Prior to working for TPL, he helped establish and managed the San Francisco peninsula-based Trail Center, and worked for California State Parks in the Santa Cruz Mountains. He holds a Masters in Business Administration form the University of California at Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Arts form the University of California at San Diego. David lives in Berkeley, California.

Vail, Nita  was appointed Executive Director of the California Rangeland Trust in September 2001. She is a founding Board member of the organization and an environmental and agricultural consultant in Sacramento. Nita, a fourth generation rancher, is a partner in a family business operating a commercial game operation on Santa Rosa Island. Nita received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Agricultural Business Management from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, CA and her MBA from University of Santa Clara, Institute of Agribusiness in Santa Clara, CA.  Nita lives in Sacramento, California.


Wargo, Megan is the Conservation Project Manager for the Pacific Forest Trust.  Ms. Wargo manages working forest conservation easement acquisitions and fee title acquisitions in Northern California, Oregon and Washington.  She holds a Master of Environmental Management degree from Duke University and a B.A. in Environmental Studies, Economics, and Policy from Claremont McKenna College.  She has previously worked as a Land Protection Specialist for the Piedmont Land Conservancy in Greensboro, NC and a Stewardship Associate for the Kachemak Heritage Land Trust in Homer, Arkansas.  Megan lives in San Francisco, California.

Staff

Cheryl Belcher, Coordinator

Cheryl Belcher has been involved in land trust activity since 1992, when she joined the Nevada County Land Trust as a fundraising volunteer and Board member and was then hired in 1994 as the first executive director.  While with the Nevada County Land Trust, Cheryl completed more than 30 land transactions protecting over 5,000 acres of land in and around Nevada County.  She is also a founder and continues to serve on the steering committee for the Center for Non-Profit Leadership, was a founder of and is currently Coordinator for the Sierra-Cascade Land Trust Council, and works in varying capacities with the California Council of Land Trusts.

Susan Kane, Project Manager.  SCLTC has contracted with Susan Kane to be Program Manager for a variety of on-going and new programs.  Susan brings a background of nearly 10 years working in land conservation.  Previously, Susan worked at the Nevada County Land Trust as Development Director where she was responsible for membership development, community outreach, event coordination, and grant writing and administration.  Susan also worked closely with then-executive director Cheryl Belcher on land conservation projects.  Susan has been involved with SCLTC since its inception, participating in workshops and mentoring member land trusts.  Susan has a background in administering state education programs.  She is active in the Nevada County Local Food Coalition and is working with Nevada County Free Range Beef to keep local livestock producers in sustainable production.

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The mission of the Sierra-Cascade Land Trust Council is to promote and preserve natural, cultural and recreational resources, open space, and working landscapes throughout the Sierra Nevada and California Cascade region by assisting member land trusts and conservancies in achieving their goals.