Staff spotlight: Wald Zimmerman (they/he), Stewardship Technician

October 22, 2024

Posted in: People & Places

Born and raised in Sonoma County, Wald has a BA from San Francisco State University in Geography with a focus on Natural Resources Management and a minor in Biology.  Since his graduation, Wald has explored his many interests professionally and personally, having worked as a field biologist, Waldorf teacher, landscape designer, farmer, cheesemaker, and goatherd. In his free time, Wald loves to surf, throw ceramics, backpack, play Wingspan, and hike with his two dogs, Acorn and Newt. Having lived in the Northwest for many years, Wald describes himself as a “shade-loving plant” and is deeply grateful for the cooler weather coming with autumn.

Wald Zimmerman on a hiking trail

What’s your favorite Sonoma County place to get outside and why?
Gosh, what a question! There are so many places I love in Sonoma County, but one of my all-time faves has to be the Creekside Connector Trail off of Coleman Valley Road. There are two trails you can take–one is very short and leads to an amazing vista of Willow Creek all the way to the ocean, and the second leads all the way down to Pomo Canyon, with an offshoot to a secret waterfall along the way. It’s shady, lush, and very sparsely used. Check it out, it’s gorgeous!

What’s one fact, statistic, or interesting tidbit about land conservation that you enjoy sharing with others?
Something I think about a lot is the relationship between green space and mental health. There is a wealth of evidence, where research has found that spending time in environments with forest, farmland, and parks has a substantial positive effect on one’s mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. I have certainly found this to be true in my own life. The more we can do to preserve our natural landscapes and facilitate access to those spaces, the better off we are as individuals and as a community.

What’s your proudest moment working in land conservation and why?
Related to that last question, something that gives me so much pride and enjoyment is spending time out on properties where Ag + Open Space has in some way made land accessible to the public and seeing people enjoy these spaces. I feel this deep sense of joy and purpose when I see places like Taylor Mountain filled with people enjoying being outside, whether they are spending time with their families, walking their dogs, or just vibing on nature and getting some quality alone time.

What compelled you to pick a career in land conservation?
I don’t feel like I really had a choice. Spending time outdoors was such a crucial part of my upbringing, and I always knew I wanted to do something having to do with the natural world. I have always tried to find ways to be outside as much as possible and to keep my work life aligned with my values and interests, so conservation work seemed like a great option!

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor and why?
Nimble and Finn’s has the best ice cream in Sonoma County and any of their flavors are amazing! If we’re going to pick favorites, though, I’d have to say green tea is my favorite flavor. I love it because it’s kind of savory, it’s a weird pea soup green color, and it gives you a little energy boost.