Protected Lands

Archives for “People & Places”

Our Impact

  • Staff spotlight: Olivia Fiori (she/her), Acquisition Specialist

    March 27, 2024

    Prior to working at Ag + Open Space, Olivia worked at The Conservation Fund for nearly 9 years, where she focused on sustainable timber harvesting, forest monitoring, wildlife management (including working with northern spotted owls), archaeological surveys, erosion control and …

  • Staff Spotlight: Jake Newell, Stewardship Supervisor

    February 28, 2024

    Jake grew up on the urban edge of Red Bluff, CA on a small suburban street constructed in the dwindling expanse of valley oak savannah. He spent his playtime wandering the savannah, listening to birdsong, watching out for rattlesnakes and …

  • Staff spotlight: Steph Tavares (she/her), Sr. Acquisition Specialist

    January 24, 2024

    Steph grew up in an agricultural demonstration park in the Salinas Valley, where her dad was a ranger. She has a BA in Global Studies and History from UCSB and a JD and Masters in Environmental Law and Policy from …

  • Staff spotlight: Leslie Lew (she/her), Natural Resources Specialist

    December 28, 2023

    Prior to joining Ag + Open Space, Leslie was the Chief of the US Fish and Wildlife Service – California\Nevada Wildlife Refuge Planning Office. Leslie has worked in habitat restoration, flood control, trail building, preserve management, and prescribed fire work. …

  • Staff Spotlight: Carrie Johnson, Secretary

    November 29, 2023

    Meet our secretary Carrie Johnson, who has been with Ag + Open Space for two remarkable decades! With a rich background deeply rooted in agriculture, Carrie spent her early childhood years living with her mom and her maternal grandparents on …

  • Staff Spotlight: Taylor Acosta (she/her), Stewardship Assistant

    October 24, 2023

    Say hello to our Stewardship Assistant, Taylor Acosta. Taylor was born and raised in Humboldt County and attended Sonoma State University earning a degree in Geology while playing Division II basketball. Following graduation, she moved to Portland where she worked …

  • Staff spotlight: Simon Apostol, Acquisition Assistant

    September 26, 2023

    Say hello to our newest team member, Simon Apostol. Simon comes to us after working as Natural Area Manager at the Columbia Land Trust in Vancouver, WA. At the land trust, he led several conservation, management, and restoration projects including …

  • Press Release: Ag + Open Space and the City of Cloverdale conserve 209-acre property and set stage for new park

    September 25, 2023

    SANTA ROSA, CA (September 25, 2023) – In partnership with the City of Cloverdale and the Lyda family, Ag + Open Space is proud to announce the permanent conservation of Soda Springs Ranch Open Space Preserve, a 209-acre property directly …

  • Recovery and resilience at Modini Preserve

    September 28, 2022

    In October of 2019, the Kincade Fire swept through large swaths of Sonoma County, impacting several Ag + Open Space-conserved properties. In the northeast part of the county, the 3,125-acre Modini Preserve burned in almost its entirety (the only spots …

  • Staff Spotlight: Pierre Ratte, Acquisition Specialist

    August 25, 2022

    In this month’s Staff Spotlight, we’re tuning in with Pierre Ratte – one of our Acquisition Specialists, and the newest member of the Ag + Open Space team. Before joining us, Pierre earned a Masters in Regional and Environmental Planning …