Placer Land Trust

Americorps Partnership

Sierra Nevada Alliance Partnership (SNAP) Program

Founded in 2007 and directed and administered by the Sierra Nevada Alliance, the Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership (SNAP) mission is to assess and restore impaired watershed habitats and to increase community stewardship of the Sierra Nevada watersheds through education and volunteerism. Members serve with community non-profits and natural resource agencies to conduct watershed assessment and restoration, watershed education, and volunteer recruitment in the Sierra Nevada to implement the program's mission.

The Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership selects and places 27 AmeriCorps each year with different Sierra Nevada conservation organizations and agencies. There are 16 partners in the SNAP program that will mentor AmeriCorps members throughout the 400-mile region. Recently, SNAP has received an AmeriCorps grant from CaliforniaVolunteers to continue the program through 2012.

Placer Land Trust has been participating in the SNAP Program since 2007. SNAP members have assisted in the planning, implementation, and management of many land conservation, stewardship and restoration projects that may not have been possible without their help. Placer Land Trust is thankful for their service and for the SNAP Program. To learn more about our current and past SNAP members check out their bios listed below.


2012 AmeriCorps SNAP Members

Stewardship Assistant: Briana Parsons

I’m very lucky to have figured out a way to turn playing outside … I mean working…into a career. Through classes and internships I’ve gotten to explore some amazing places and do some awesome research, like collect hair samples from brown bears in Alaska and study primate behavior and rainforest ecology in the Limon province of Costa Rica. I’ve explored all types of biological work from mammal behavior to genetics. As long as I’m in the field, I’m happy! But no matter how awesome the location I’m not really content unless I’m doing something to help conserve the wild places I love so much.

Before joining the Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership I focused primarily on research projects and worked mostly with government agencies. That’s why I’m so excited to be serving my AmeriCorps term with Placer Land Trust. I like that it’s a nonprofit and that the local people have a direct hand in what’s being done here. There’s a lot of satisfaction to be had when, at the end of the day, a real tangible difference has been made to conserve a sensitive area.


Stewardship Assistant: Kiri Ando

I was born and raised in Northridge, CA.  I received my bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies with a minor in Earth Science from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2010.  After receiving my degree I began working towards a certificate in GIS at Los Angeles Pierce College.  I also served as a Resource Management Intern through the Student Conservation Association (SCA) at Congaree National Park in Hopkins, South Carolina.  My internship focused on removing and mapping invasive plants, educating 3rd graders about weathering, erosion and deposition, and conducting water quality monitoring.  In my free time I enjoy making soap and jewelry, knitting, preserving my homemade jams, and playing outside with my adopted puppy, Tukufu.


I am excited to be back in my home state and to have the opportunity to give back by enhancing and restoring natural areas.  I am most at peace when I am sitting in the shade of a native California oak and can forget about everything that’s troubling me.  I can’t wait to see how the restoration projects PLT is involved with this year will turn out, and how big a difference we can make by bringing back California’s wild lands.


2011 AmeriCorps SNAP Members

Stewardship Assistant: Erin Tarr

Erin grew up in Cedar Falls, Iowa.  After graduating high school she moved to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado to pursue her passion for exploring the outdoors.  She moved to California 7 years ago and received her degree in Environmental Studies/Biology from CSUS in 2009. 

Erin is very excited to be serving at The Placer Land Trust as the 2011 Americorps Stewardship Assistant. She is looking forward to being part of the restoration projects being undertaken on the properties this year.

Nature adventures have always been a big part of my life.  As a young girl, my best memories are backpacking in The Tetons and canoeing in The Boundary Waters.  These places left lasting impressions on me and formed who I am today.  There is no better feeling than to be part of a team that is working together to preserve beautiful landscapes in our local area and bringing the community together to enjoy these places.  I love coming to work every day knowing that I am able to do what I love.

Outreach Assistant: Rebecca (Becki) Hoehn

Becki was born and raised in Reston, Virginia.  Before making her way to Auburn Becki received her Masters at the University of Malta in Sustainable Environmental Resource Management.  She will serve as the Outreach Assistant and is excited to start getting more people involved and informed about all the great things done at Placer Land Trust.

Growing up near the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia made me appreciate wide open spaces.  I look forward to imbuing my enthusiasm and passion for the outdoors in others to help protect and restore the unique scenery in Placer County.




2010 AmeriCorps SNAP Members

Stewardship Assistant: Ryan Gilpin

Ryan Gilpin was born and raised in Pleasanton, CA.  In 2008, he graduated from UC Davis with a B.S. in Environmental Biology and Management.  After hiking and exploring several other countries, Ryan is ready to use his education to help care for open spaces throughout the county.  Ryan plans to thoroughly explore Placer County’s trails, rivers, and rolling hills.

I find it difficult to understand when people enjoy outdoor activities and do not try to protect those areas.  But even more difficult to understand is when people work to protect our beautiful landscapes but spend little time outside.





Outreach Assistant: Jessica Aviña

Jessica came to Placer Land Trust in 2010 after completing her Master’s of Public Administration from the University of Washington, Seattle.  She was excited to encourage community members to get out and enjoy the open spaces right in their backyard.  A major portion of her time in 2010 was spent on raising awareness about Bruin Ranch.  She was very happy that Placer Land Trust was able to preserve Phase I in 2010.


The outreach assistant position was perfect for me. I was able to bring my experience to help the volunteer program grow.  At the same time, my expectations for the position were greatly exceeded.  I was able to participate in many aspects of the organization.  I had a ton of fun working on the stream monitoring program with my fellow AmeriCorps member, Ryan Gilpin.  Wading through a stream during the heat of summer, and then identifying macroinvertebrates under a shady oak with fellow enthusiastic volunteers is a memory I’ll carry with me.

2009 AmeriCorps SNAP Members

Stewardship Assistant: Kristin Haider

Kristin hails from Minnesota, and is a recent graduate of University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire with a degree in Biology and Environmental Science will assist Stewardship Coordinator Jeff Ward in providing management, monitoring, restoration and enhancement for properties preserved by the Trust.

“Placer Land Trust is the perfect place to begin working in applied land conservation. I feel extremely fortunate to be able to begin work in a field I am very passionate about this soon after graduation.”






Outreach Assistant: Kelsey Stavseth

Kelsey is originally from Vermont. He graduated from Saint Michael’s College with a degree in Mathematics and Environmental Economics.  He serves as the Trust’s outreach and volunteer coordinator, helping Trust staff spread the word about our activities and encouraging local volunteerism.

I’ve always been fascinated with the environment, pursuing as many outdoor activities as often as I can. I am very excited to help Placer Land Trust preserve the lands I love to explore.







2008 AmeriCorps SNAP Member

Stewardship Assistant: Jeff Ward

Jeff Ward, a.k.a. rock bass musician and PLT’s current Stewardship Manager, came to us in 2008 after relocating with his wife to California from Florida. Jeff graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with a degree in Environmental Studies.  Jeff served as the Stewardship Assistant for one term before being hired as our Stewardship Manager.    Since that time Jeff has grown into his position and seen it grow tremendously.  As a native of Baltimore Maryland and a former Bass guitar player in the band Bargain Music, Jeff brings a lot of life experience and fun to the organization. We are very thankful to have Jeff as our Stewardship Manager.

2007 AmeriCorps SNAP Member

Stewardship Assistant: Katy Sater

You may recall our very first SNAP member, Katy Sater.  She came to us as a recent graduate of U.C. Santa Barbara in Political science. After spending one year with us developing the framework for what would be the Stewardship Assistant program, she left us to attend graduate school at Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University.  In may she will receive her  Masters of Environmental Management.  She spent a summer break working as an intern for an organization called Earthmind.net, in Geneva Switzerland.  She plans to return upon her graduation in May.  Congratulations Katy and good luck in Europe!