Staff

Executive Director: Jeff Darlington

The Placer Land Trust Executive Director manages PLT’s land protection efforts including fundraising, membership, acquisitions, outreach, and operations. Hired in May 2002 Jeff is the first Executive Director of Placer Land Trust, and has dramatically increased the pace of land conservation for the Trust.

Jeff grew up in Auburn, and is the 4th generation of his family to reside in Placer County. His great-grandparents settled in Penryn in the 1920s, and his family has resided in Auburn since then. He lives in Auburn with his wife Christa and their sons Connell, Paul and Spencer.

Jeff is a graduate of Placer High School and 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. Prior to that he worked for Electronic Data Systems in Rancho Cordova, First Health Services in Alaska, the California Department of Conservation, and two Northern California outdoor news publications (Western Outdoor News and Fishing & Hunting News) based in Sacramento. He is also a freelance writer, and has been published in several regional and national publications.  Jeff currently serves as the President of the Sierra Cascade Land Trust Council.

Assistant Director: Jessica Pierce

The Assistant Director assists the Executive Director in implementing PLT's programs and operations of the organization.  This includes assisting the ED,  implement PLT policies, strategic conservation planning and completing land acquisitions. Jessica Pierce was hired by PLT as our second staff person in June 2005, and was promoted to the position of Assistant Director in 2010.

Raised in rural Georgetown, Jessica spent over 18 years in the foothills of Placer and El Dorado Counties. Jessica has a B.A. in Geography and a minor in Political Science from Humboldt State University. Prior to joining PLT she spent much time in the field working for the El Dorado National Forest, Blodgett Experimental Forest, a research station managed by UC Berkeley, and Simpson Timber Company. Jessica has spent the majority of her professional career in project management, and community development in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Avid climbers and skiers Jessica and her husband Josh live in Georgetown with their son Wyatt.

Fund Development Coordinator: Karrie Thomas

The Fund Development Coordinator is responsible for developing funds to pay for PLT’s operations and programs. Karrie Thomas was hired in November 2008.

Karrie grew up in New Hampshire before beginning a westward journey that landed her in California in 2000. She graduated from Colorado College with a BA in Anthropology then spent five years managing organic farms in Washington state and California. In an effort to broaden her professional skill set, she began working for the Community Alliance with Family Farmers when her husband went to grad school and has been managing programs and raising funds for non-profits ever since.

Karrie and her husband, Culley, are passionate whitewater kayakers and backcountry skiers. They live in Folsom with their son Finn.

Stewardship Manager: Jeff Ward

The Stewardship Manager oversees PLT's stewardship program, including monitoring PLT’s conservation and agricultural easements and managing lands owned by PLT.  The Stewardship Manager coordinates restoration and enhancement projects on PLT preserves, leads preserve tours, and works with community volunteers to ensure that PLT preserves are protected for future generations. Jeff Ward was hired in November 2008 after serving a year as our Stewardship Assistant.

Jeff was raised in Baltimore, MD where he spent time exploring natural communities, camping, hiking, and playing music. He spent six years pursuing a career as a musician in southern California before deciding to get back in touch with nature. He moved to Florida to get a degree in the environmental field. Jeff earned a BA from Florida Gulf Coast University in Environmental Studies with a focus in Ecology after which he interned at the City of Cape Coral and Estero Bay Preserve State Park working on invasive species management projects. He lives in Sacramento with his wife April.

Land Manager: Justin Wages

The Land Manager manages properties that PLT owns in fee title, assists with general stewardship activities, and coordinates the interactive use of PLT properties for education, outreach, and scientific research. Justin Wages was hired in 2009 after an internship.

Justin was raised in Fairfield, CA by his grandparents who emigrated from Spain in 1906 to raise sheep in the famous California grasslands. Justin graduated with a degree in Computer Science (2002), yet having spent much of his life fishing, hunting, and enjoying the outdoors; he naturally turned towards a continuing education in the biological sciences and is working towards a degree in Ecology & Biodiversity with an emphasis in grasslands. He has served as the president of the Sierra College ECOS environmental club, and volunteered for the Dry Creek Conservancy.

2010 Americorps SNAP Interns

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.  He says, “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.”  Ryan will be assisting PLT with all stewardship activities including the Canyon View Watershed and Habitat Restoration Project and annual monitoring on PLT Preserves.

Outreach Assistant: Jessica Aviña

 Jessica Aviña grew up in Camarillo, CA.  She received her B.A. in Anthropology from the University of California, San Diego.  Before making her way to Northern California, she lived for some time in South East Asia and Hawaii.  Most recently she finished her Master’s of Public Administration, focusing on Environmental Policy and Management, at the University of Washington in Seattle. Her interests include hiking and surfing, which have continually fostered her passion for nature and environmental causes.  She moved to the area with her boyfriend who is currently serving as a Family Practice Resident at Travis Air Force Base.  Jessica is very excited to be this year’s Outreach Assistant, as she strongly believes in the Mission of PLT.  She is most excited to meet people already involved with the organization, and to further invigorate the volunteer program.  Jessica looks forward to bringing people out to PLT’s properties to help restore and enjoy the beautiful resources of Placer County.




PLACER LAND TRUST OFFICE
The Placer Land Trust office is located in Auburn, the county seat of Placer County. Contact information:

Placer Land Trust
11661 Blocker Drive, Suite 110
Auburn, CA 95603
(530) 887-9222
FAX (530) 888-7720
info@placerlandtrust.org

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