Michael oversees all aspects of the stewardship, public programs and business operations of the Irvine Ranch Conservancy. He has approximately 20 years of experience in land protection and conservation science including senior positions with The Nature Conservancy and World Wildlife Fund. He has served on the  Board of Governors of the Society for Conservation Biology and co-authored two books and a number of scientific and popular articles. Michael has a bachelor's degree in Geology from Carleton College and a Master of Environmental Studies in Conservation Biology from Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.

David directs the science and stewardship activities for the Irvine Ranch Conservancy. He has more than 20 years of experience  as a conservation biologist including 9 years directing the Conservation Science Program at World Wildlife Fund and 5 years directing the Wildlife Conservation Society’s South Pacific Program. His work has ranged from  Siberian tigers, Marquesan palms and tropical reefs to  coastal sage. He has worked in all five of the world's Mediterranean-climate ecosystems David has a bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies from UC Berkeley and a doctorate in Zoology from the UC Davis. He has published extensively in peer reviewed scientific literature on both conservation biology and planning.

John oversees all of the planning, public access infrastructure and land operations for the Irvine Ranch Conservancy. He has 25 years experience in land planning, environmental management and design, including 9 years as senior development manager for Walt Disney Imagineering. John is a registered architect and member of the American Institute of Architects. He received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley.

Dave leads, supervises and implements all Public Programs activities and projects to connect public and user groups to the wildlands and parks.  He also leads a team of professionals and nearly 200 volunteers who conduct interpretive tour programs on the land. Dave has more than 13 years experience in environmental education and outreach, most with Inside the Outdoors, Orange County Schools' award-winning environmental education program. Dave has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix

Cecile directs all operations and business functions for the organization. She has more than 13 years of experience managing all aspects of daily business operations and planning and implementing long-term operations projects, including two years as associate director of  operations for The Nature Conservancy of California and seven years as operations manager for an Irvine-based computer memory manufacturer. She was also assistant director of Summerbridge San Diego, a non-profit mentoring program for at-risk youth. Cecile has a bachelor's degree in Urban Studies and Planning from the University of California, San Diego and a fully-employed Master of Business Administration from the University of California, Irvine, both with honors.

Wida manages creation and implementation of communications initiatives and programs. She has more than 10 years of comprehensive communications experience, including as public information officer for OC Parks at the County of Orange. She has worked in the County Executive Office in media relations and in communications and marketing for the City of Brea.  She has both television news and public relations experience and is an accomplished photographer. Wida has a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Cal State  Fullerton, minoring in Political Science.

Megan develops and implements programs in applied research, resource and recreation monitoring, exotic species control, ecological restoration, and fire and fuels management. She received her doctorate in ecology from the UC, Davis with an emphasis in restoration, plant ecology, and plant-soil relations. Her doctoral research focused on the roles of priority effects, invasion resistance, and management techniques in restoring diverse communities of California native grasslands. Prior to joining the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, Megan was the Assistant Director of the Sweeney Granite Mountains Desert Research Center, a biological field station in the University of California Natural Reserve System.

Jutta supports the science team’s full range of efforts. Her immediate focus is on developing and implementing an invasive species strategy.  She will also be working on field projects aimed at invasive control and oak restoration studies. In addition, she will be working on the evaluation of genetic considerations for species used in restoration projects.  Prior to joining the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, Jutta was a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Georgia, Athens. Jutta has a doctorate in Plant Biology from the University of California, Riverside, a master’s in Biology from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and a bachelor’s in Biology from Washington State University, Pullman. She has published extensively in peer-reviewed scientific publications and is a member of the Society for the Study of Evolution, the Ecological Society of America, and the Botanical Society of America. Her interests include ecology and rapid evolution in invasive species, plant and insect community ecology and conservation, and natural history. 

Jared helps guide ecological management, research, and stewardship projects on The Irvine Ranch wildlands and parks. Jared's primary expertise is in natural resources management. Prior to joining the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, Jared worked for The Nature Conservancy, in Klondyke, Arizona as an Aravaipa Preserve Land Steward. He has also worked as a Biological Sciences Technician and Forestry Technician for the United States Forest Service. He has a bachelor's degree in forestry resource management from Southern Illinois University. He is a member of the Society of American Foresters. Jared loves to rock climb, fish for trout and mountain bike.

Melissa supports the science team both administratively and in the field. She collects and manages data, coordinates workshops and supervises volunteer field crews. She has a  bachelor's degree in Biology from Cal State Fullerton with an emphasis in Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation Biology. She has been a student researcher in vertebrate ecology in the laboratory of Dr. Paul Stapp and a member of the Southern California Ecosystems Research Program (SCERP). She was also a naturalist at Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary assisting withhabitat restoration of chaparral, woodland and riparian habitats

Rosey joins the Irvine Ranch Conservancy as Science and Stewardship Assistant. She has been in the administrative field for 15 years and brings a vast array of skills and knowledge to the organization. Rosey has worked in various industries including education and Hispanic marketing. Prior to joining the Conservancy, she worked for the City of Santa Ana Parks and Recreation Program where she managed after school programs.  She was also a customer service supervisor at New Horizons Computer Learning Center, which also provided her with extensive computer skills. She is highly proficient in various computer software programs.“Rosey will be applying her broad administrative experience and skills to help accomplish the various goals of the Science and Stewardship department,” said Dr. David Olson, Director of Science and Stewardship. “We are currently working on several projects on the wildlands; Rosey will help facilitate the logistics of daily tasks and organize future projects for the team.”Rosey is an avid supporter and volunteer for non-profit organizations.   She also advocates programs that are geared towards at-risk children and their families, mental health, multilingual education, music, dance and art programs. Her main goal is to introduce children and their families to various opportunities that they would normally not be able to participate in, because of their background, disability, language or income. Rosey has a daughter and son who frequently enjoy programs that are offered by the Conservancy and its various partners.

Adam manages the field operations, facilities and trail network for the Irvine Ranch Conservancy and supervises the partnership with the City of Irvine. He has 15 years experience in wilderness trail construction and management and  coordinated numerous trail projects throughout the county. Adam has more than  five years experience as a reserve field ranger, interpretive guide and mountain bike team trainer for the County of Orange, and has certifications in wildland fire behavior, search and rescue, wilderness first-responder and standardized emergency management systems (SEMS). He has also been an Emergency Medical Technician and Sea Rescue Specialist with the US Coast Guard. Adam is also a passionate nature enthusiast, endurance mountain biker, and appropriate trail use advocate. In a previous career, Adam spent 27 years managing and coordinating complex commercial, large-capital, multi-state site development projects.

Robin assists in the maintenance of the facilities and trail network primarily for the Irvine Ranch Conservancy's partnership with the City of Irvine. . He has  field experience as a trained naturalist docent for The Nature Conservancy and California State Parks. Robin has completed several courses in advanced trail design and trail maintenance and is a`certified Trail Boss. He has organized many trail building and maintenance projects and is a strong proponent of responsible trail use, particularly by the mountain biking community.

Brian is the lead naturalist, field guide and public program developer for the Conservancy's partnership with the City of Irvine. Brian has worked in several fields including retail management, residential construction, and teaching. He came to the Conservancy from Inside the Outdoors, where he was a naturalist and educator. Brian has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Concordia University and a Master of Science in Environmental Studies at Cal State  Fullerton  in Ecological Economics. He is also a Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG), a national certification for guiding and interpretive leadership. Brian is trained in wilderness first aid and CPR, and bikes to work on the Mountains to Sea Trail.

Evelyn leads guided public tours and develops public programs in both the inland and coastal areas of The Irvine Ranch. She also manages the Conservancy’s natural history collection. Before joining the Conservancy, she spent eight years with the City of Anaheim's Oak Canyon Nature Center as a naturalist and site supervisor. She has also worked as a naturalist and public program developer for the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary. Evelyn is certified through the National Association for Interpretation as both an interpretive guide and interpretive trainer. She is trained in CPR, AED resuscitation, first aid and Red Cross shelter management. Evelyn graduated with honors from Cal State Fullerton with a bachelor's degree in Biological Anthropology and English, and a Master of Science in Environmental Studies, with an emphasis in Environmental Education.  She is currently pursing a certificate in Field Ecology and Ornithology from University of California, Riverside.

Kelley develops  public education and outreach programs and leads tours on the wildlands and parks. She has eight years experience in environmental education and program development with the  City of Anaheim's Oak Canyon Nature Center.   Kelley has volunteered as a hiking docent with the City of Irvine's Open Space Preserve-South and the northern Irvine Ranch area.  She has a bachelor’s degree in  Recreation and Leisure Studies from Cal State Long Beach with certificates in non-profit volunteer management and outdoor recreation administration. Kelley is trained in CPR, first aid, AED resuscitation and is certified as a CIG trough the National Association for Interpretation.

Meghan manages the Conservancy's nearly 200 volunteers  and isthe first point of contact for public inquiries.. She has a bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies and Psychology from Connecticut College and a Master of Science in Social Ecology from UC Irvine. . She has studied and published on  the therapeutic effects of nature and human connections to the environment. Meghan worked at Inside the Outdoors where she was a naturalist and environmental educator. She is also an academic tutor for youth and  is very active in outdoor activities such as hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, ultimate frisbee, mountain biking, and road biking (including biking to work on the Mountains to the Sea trail).

Cindy oversees the accounting processes, systems and procedures through preparation and review of all general ledger transactions to ensure accuracy of financial reports. She leads the financial audit process, including preparation of financial statements. She has more than seven years of accounting experience including financial operations analysis and accounting management. Cindy is a CPA and has been a senior internal auditor for the County of Orange and senior auditor for Arthur Andersen, LLP. She graduated with honors from Chapman University in 1998 with a bachelor's degree in Accounting.She also holds a professional certification in non-profit financial planning and management.

Brenda is the business operations manager for Irvine Ranch Conservancy.  She joined the team on October 2007. Her responsibilities include providing, administering and managing the daily business operations and support activities of our organization. Brenda also coordinates human resources, information systems, facilities management and safety functions in support of Conservancy projects and objectives.  In addition, she provides guidance to functional directors.  All in all, she wears many different hats!

Jennifer supports the administrative functions of the executive office of the Conservancy. . She has more than eight years experience in operations management and supportin both the high-tech sector and travel industry. Jennifer's background and her interest in non-profit causes provide the wide breadth of skills necessary to support the organization's multi-faceted work