STAFF
Tyler Feld
Co-Executive Director
Tyler’s (he/him) love of the outdoors, particularly native plants, began from early childhood experiences exploring the oak woodlands of Southern California and the pine forests of the Sierra Nevadas. He first joined Grassroots Ecology in 2021 to manage restoration projects at Foothills Nature Preserve and the Midpeninsula Open Space District sites. He joined Alex as Co-Executive Director in 2025 and steers our restoration and education programs and strategic plan implementation. Tyler has a background in youth outdoor education and is also the founding director of Branching Out Adventures, a nonprofit dedicated to celebrating queerness through connection to the outdoors. In his spare time, Tyler is passionate about exploring diverse ecosystems through cycling, camping, and recreating outdoors.
Alex Von Feldt
Co-Executive Director
Alex (she/her) was the Executive Director of Grassroots Ecology when the organization was founded in 2016 and led the way in creating our shared co-leadership structure, which has been in place since 2023. Alex oversees funding and financial management, and she enjoys enabling new programs that improve local biodiversity, engage the community and advance equity - all at the same time. She was drawn into restoration after getting involved in the daylighting of Sausal Creek at the Portola Valley Town Center and seeing it transform from a concrete pipe into a vibrant creek habitat. Alex has experience as a project manager in the fields of business consulting and software development and has a degree in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She enjoys taking care of her native plant garden with the “help” of her golden retrievers.
AJ Bautista
California Climate Action Corps Member
AJ (he/him) is excited to join the Grassroots Ecology team, bringing with him a BS in Environmental Sciences and a BA in Geography from San Francisco State University. A lifelong outdoor enthusiast, AJ grew up hiking, snowboarding, and climbing, which sparked his appreciation for natural spaces. Aware of his environmental impact through outdoor recreation, he volunteers with nonprofit organizations to help restore damaged habitats and maintain hiking trails.
Junko Bryant
Special Projects
Junko (she/her) joined Grassroots Ecology in 2009 to launch the Redwood Grove restoration project, and held various positions in the organization including the Co-Executive Director role from 2023-25. She has a special interest in how cities intersect with nature. Junko takes particular pride in seeing our urban spaces transform into habitats that support both people and wildlife, and played a key role in building our programs and partnerships in Redwood City and East Palo Alto. Junko holds a B.S. in Earth Systems from Stanford University and a Master of Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Paola Bueno
Project Lead
Paola (she/her) is the Project Lead for the Cooley Landing and Ravenswood Preserve projects. She first joined Grassroots Ecology in 2021 as a college intern and previously worked as an interpretive aide for the East Bay Regional Park District, which sparked her interest in restoration and environmental justice. As a lifetime Bay Area resident, Paola is excited to be a part of restoration projects in urban areas and is committed to working with low-income and immigrant communities to create positive experiences with nature and the land. Paola has a degree in Environmental Science from the California State University, East Bay.
Fran Callan
Business Director
Fran, an experienced start-up professional, joined Grassroots Ecology in 2018. She brings to the position an extensive background in community service, as well as prior experience establishing a non-profit organization. Fran enjoys the outdoors and is a strong believer in working to preserve our California native environments. She has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from Santa Clara University.
Ariana Camacho Gallegos
California Climate Action Corps Member
Ariana (she/her) joined the Grassroots Ecology team as a California Climate Action Corps fellow for the 2025-2026 term. She recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.S. in Ecosystem Management and Forestry with a focus in wildlife conservation. Ariana’s love for the outdoors stems from her experiences hiking, camping, and learning about the natural world. She is passionate about conservation and is excited to learn more about plant identification, restoration practices, and fostering environmental stewardship. In her free time she enjoys watching movies with her cat and coloring.
Hannah Cunningham
Project Manager
Hannah (she/her) is a naturalist and educator currently running the Arastradero and Alviso Bufferlands restoration projects as well as the summer naturalist internship program. She found her way to environmental work through volunteering at Grassroots Ecology events and participating in its 2017 California Naturalist Certification Program and joined our staff in 2019. Hannah holds a B.A. in Political Science from NYU, and has a background in sustainable economic development and nonprofit administration. Look for her on the trails of the Peninsula’s parks and open spaces!
Kate Dolkas
Development Director
Before joining the Grassroots Ecology team in 2020, Kate (she/her) supported grantmaking for the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and served as the Development Director for Paso Pacífico, a NGO restoring the dry tropical forest of Nicaragua through science, conservation and education. Kate grew up in Texas, but has spent the last 17 years adventuring throughout the West, cultivating a love of the outdoors and an appreciation for open space. She has a B.S. in Community and Regional Development from UC Davis and a M.S. in Bioregional Planning and Community Design from the University of Idaho.
Halle Donovan
California Climate Action Corps Member
Halle (she/her) joined the Grassroots Ecology team in 2024 as a California Climate Action Corps Fellow. She fell in love with the outdoors as a kid - one of her favorite childhood memories is holding up traffic at Henry Coe State Park so a tarantula could safely cross the road. She’s eager to help build compassionate and sustainable relationships between people and the lands they inhabit through hands-on restoration and educational experiences. Outside of work, you can find her reading, making art, and taking glamour shots of native bees! Halle holds an A.A. in Geography from Cañada College and a B.S. in Conservation and Resource Studies from UC Berkeley.
Deanna Giuliano
Nursery Director / Botanical Consultant
Deanna has nurtured thousands of native plants since taking the reins of our nursery in 2006, including rolling out new protocols to ensure pathogen-free nursery stock. She has served as president of the Santa Cruz Chapter of the California Native Plant Society, and remains active in CNPS initiatives such as Rare Plant Treasure Hunts. Deanna previously worked for Central Coast Wilds and the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum. She has an A.S. in Horticulture from Cabrillo College and a B.A. in Environmental Studies/Biology with an emphasis in Plant Ecology from UC Santa Cruz.
Natalie Jagoda
California Climate Action Corps Member
Natalie (she/her) is a returning California Climate Action Corps Fellow with Grassroots Ecology. She is always learning about the evolutionary relationships between plants, and is interested in foraging, medicinal uses of plants, species ID, and what she calls “binography” (photography through binoculars). She received her California Naturalist certification through Grassroots Ecology, and obtained a dual B.S. in Environmental Science and Sustainability Studies from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She also interns with Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful.
Valerie Lee
Director of Community Engagement
Born and raised in California, Val (she/her) is an advocate for prioritizing diversity in both wildlife and human communities. After learning to care for habitats while earning her B.S. in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Barbara, she joined Grassroots Ecology in 2016 to manage habitat restoration projects and lead educational events. Now, her focus is to bolster Grassroots Ecology's community engagement strategies to be more inclusive through staff development, programs, partnerships, and outreach. Her goal is to invite community members facing systemic barriers to engage with nearby nature, to support their relationship with land, self, and one another.
Fiona McMahon
Watershed Stewards Program Corpsmember
Fiona (she/her) is a Watershed Stewards Program Corpsmember with Grassroots Ecology for the 2025-2026 service term. She recently graduated with a B.A. in geography and history with a minor in forestry and natural resources. Prior to starting this position, Fiona researched state secessionism, wrote about Irish bogs, and pulled thousands of French broom plants across the Marin Headlands.
Wyatt Mosiman
Watershed Stewards Program Corpsmember
Wyatt (she/her) is a Watershed Stewards Program Corpsmember for the 2025-2026 service term. She recently moved from the Midwest, where she earned a master’s degree in plant biology and conservation from Northwestern University. There, Wyatt focused on evolutionary biology and fire in the Minnesota prairies and served as the lead research assistant in her lab. She’s very excited to have the opportunity to dive right into learning about the ecosystems in her new home. When Wyatt isn’t working in and enjoying the outdoors, you can probably find her in the kitchen baking something savory, chopping veggies, and improvising.
Serena Myjer
Restoration Specialist II
Serena (she/her) was born and raised in the South Bay, and first worked with Grassroots Ecology in 2020 as a summer intern. After college, she served at Grassroots Ecology as an AmeriCorps member through the Watershed Stewards Program and California Climate Action Corps. Her other work experience includes summer camp counselor, making coffee, leading bike tours, conducting rare plant surveys, and most recently planting and caring for native plant hedgerows with Point Blue Conservation Science in the STRAW program (Students and Teachers Restoring a Watershed). She is motivated to do habitat restoration work by the joy of being in and with nature, but also the desire to create a livable future for all.
Maya Nagaraj
Restoration Specialist II
Maya (she/they) joined Grassroots Ecology in 2023 as a California Climate Action Corps fellow. She grew up in the Bay Area hiking, riding horses, and learning to love nature. Prior to working for Grassroots Ecology, she worked as a research assistant for a variety of behavioral and population ecology studies. She also spent time in Germany as a scientific researcher and educator, studying evolution and science communication. She holds a B.S. in Evolution, Ecology, and Biodiversity, and a B.A. in Classical Civilizations, from UC Davis.
Isabella (Bella) Nishihira
California Climate Action Corps Member
Bella (she/her) is a returning AmeriCorps member, rejoining the Grassroots Ecology team after serving with the Watershed Stewards Program in 2024–25. Growing up in the East Bay, she developed an early love for the outdoors through camping trips, hikes, and bike rides, which shaped her passion for protecting natural spaces. She recently graduated from San José State University with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and a minor in Environmental Restoration. Driven by a deep interest in sustainability and conservation, she is inspired by those working to combat climate change and is excited to continue growing her skills with the Grassroots Ecology team.
Shelley Pneh
Ecologist III
Shelley (she/her) joined Grassroots Ecology in 2017, bringing expertise in aquatic insect research, water quality monitoring, pollinators, and habitat restoration. She is currently leading our San Francisquito Creek watershed and Mountain View Shoreline restoration projects. Concurrently, Shelley is an aquatic entomologist at UC Berkeley assisting researchers studying food web interactions in the South Fork Eel River and its tributaries. She holds a degree in Molecular Environmental Biology with a concentration in Entomology from UC Berkeley. A lifelong San Jose resident, Shelley enjoys exploring and commuting on local bicycle trails.
Stephanie Saffouri
Project Manager
Stephanie is interested in urban ecology and creating connections between communities and their natural spaces. A Bay Area native, she is excited to apply her field ecology background to her local community as a Project Manager at McClellan Ranch Preserve and Sunnyvale Baylands. Stephanie has done research in a wide range of habitats from salt marshes to the Hawaiian rainforest. In her spare time, she loves to bake treats, cook, and work in her vegetable garden. She has a B.A. in biology from Pomona College and an M.S. in biology from San Francisco State University.
Andrea Serna
California Climate Action Corps Member
Andrea (she/her) is excited to join Grassroots Ecology as a California Climate Action Corps Fellow for the 2025-2026 term. She recently graduated from UC Davis with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Management, with a focus on ecology, biodiversity, and conservation. Growing up in the Bay Area, Andrea spent much of her time playing outdoors, which sparked her love for nature. She is grateful to return home and continue learning how to help steward the land. In her free time, she enjoys visiting the beach, exploring new trails, discovering new restaurants, and writing movie reviews.
Emily Sharp
Operations Director
Emily (she/her) is passionate about building relationships and increasing access to green jobs. She joined Grassroots Ecology in 2019 as a Climate Corps AmeriCorps Fellow. After the fellowship, she managed the Byrne Preserve and Redwood Grove restoration projects and coordinated our seasonal internship program. In her current role as Operations Director, she supports all restoration teams on project management, hiring, staff development, reporting, and administration. She holds a degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences from Vanderbilt University. In her free time, she enjoys running, hiking, reading, and crossword puzzles.
Clara Sorensen
California Climate Action Corps Member
Clara (she/her) is excited to join the Grassroots Ecology team as a California Climate Action Corps Fellow, bringing with her a B.A. in Biological Sciences with a focus in Biodiversity, Ecology, and Conservation from Smith College. Born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, Clara first fell in love with the natural world while camping and canoeing through the forests, lakes, and plains of the Midwest. She recently moved to California to pursue work in climate action and explore a different part of the world. Clara is motivated by her curiosity, love for nature, and a desire to create a liveable future for all. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, hiking, crocheting, and whatever new craft she’s working on that week.
Brian Tatsuta
Restoration Specialist II
Brian (he/him) joined Grassroots Ecology as a Habitat Restoration Intern in 2022 while pursuing a degree in Horticulture. As a lifelong Bay Area resident, he developed his love for nature by exploring the vast amount of open spaces that this region has to offer. Prior to working as a full time staff member, Brian participated in the California Youth Leadership Corps, where he built his skills in community organizing. He is excited to put these skills to use by building community and promoting diversity in the outdoors. In his free time, Brian enjoys hiking, kayaking, fishing, and growing native plants for his garden.
Calla Timmerman
California Climate Action Corps Member
Calla (she/her) joined the Grassroots Ecology team for the 2025-2026 fellowship term. She graduated with a major in Environmental Studies and a minor in Environmental Restoration at San José State University. Her love for the outdoors started and grew when she was little through hiking, camping trips, and learning from her biologist mom. She has a deep love for the parks and open spaces in the Bay Area and is excited to get her hands dirty while contributing to land stewardship during her time with the team
Siena Watson
Project Lead
Siena (she/her) is currently leading the Byrne Preserve and Foothills Nature Preserve restoration projects. She has supported multiple restoration projects and the native plant nursery since she joined Grassroots Ecology as a Watershed Stewards Program Corpsmember in 2019. Siena loves exploring the preserves she stewards, collecting seed, and connecting with people in nature. She is especially passionate about supporting local Indigenous communities and their efforts to restore traditional ecological practices to their land. She holds a B.S. in Marine and Coastal Science from UC Davis and was a summer intern with Grassroots Ecology in 2018.
Laurel Wee
Project Manager
Laurel (she/her) is an alumnus of UC Santa Barbara’s Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, where she specialized in Conservation Planning with an Environmental Communication focus. While at Bren, she worked with Parks California as a Resource Stewardship Intern and researched tools used by park planners to balance public access and resource protection. Previously, Laurel worked in environmental education for four years as a Teacher and then as a Program Director. She received a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Biology from UC Santa Cruz. Laurel is passionate about environmental stewardship that connects community engagement, education opportunities, and climate solutions. She joined Grassroots Ecology as a Project Lead for the Redwood City sites in January 2023.
STAFF EMERITI / CONSULTANTS
Claire Elliott
Senior Ecologist Emeritus
Claire retired as Senior Ecologist in 2023 after 17 years with Grassroots Ecology. She is a lifelong naturalist and educator who can still be spotted weeding and sharing nature facts at our restoration sites, especially at McClellan Preserve and Bol Park. Among her many contributions, Claire started Grassroots Ecology’s partnership with the Americorps Watershed Stewards Program, ran our first Youth Stewards and California Naturalist certification programs, and applied her engineering skills to guide our green infrastructure work. She loves California everlasting and detests privet.
Paul Heiple
Botanist Emeritus
Paul retired as Staff Botanist in 2019 after 11 years with Grassroots Ecology. Trained as a geologist, he found his way to botany while noticing the relationships between plants and different soil types. He led the Arastradero Weed Warriors for many years and advised Grassroots Ecology’s approach to controlling yellow starthistle using timed mowing and followup manual removal with volunteers. Paul currently keeps up his weeding skills with the Friends of Edgewood and continues to be a trusted advisor to Grassroots Ecology.
Kristen Williams
Habitat Restoration Consultant
Kristen left her position as our first Habitat Restoration Director in 2025. During her 12 years with Grassroots Ecology, Kristen launched the Byrne Preserve restoration project and our first Midpen projects at Hawthorns and Russian Ridge and led the Redwood Grove project. As Habitat Restoration Director, she guided our open space restoration teams, built our collaborative staff culture, and improved the quality of our programs in countless ways. She was also instrumental in initiating our Indigenous allyship and DEI work. Kristen continues to be a trusted advisor though her time is now dedicated to tending to her family and a plot of land in her home town of Mendocino.
2025-26 INTERNS
Ricardo Aguilar
he/him
Aranza Aranda
Francisco Arias
he/him
Arden (Ari) Badiei
they/them
Angela Barrera
she/her
Claire Campbell
they/them
Parsa Fard
Arwyn Lucich
she/they
Ezikio Serna
he/him
Samantha Zarate
she/they