B.S. Natural History and Evolution, University of California, Berkeley, 1990

• Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting: President, Senior Ecologist, 1996–present
• CytoCulture BioTechnology: Wetland Research Associate, 1996–1998
• Garcia and Associates: Botanist / Wetland Ecologist, 1995–1997
• BioSystems Analysis: Botanist, 1992–1995
• WESCO Ecological Services: Botanist, 1991
• Eldorado National Forest: Botanist, 1990

Mr. Vollmar is the founder of Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting (VNLC). As principal-in-charge, he is responsible for overall management and quality control of all company projects. Mr. Vollmar has more than 25 years’ professional experience. He has managed more than 350 projects during the course of his career ranging from small parcel assessments to large, multi-disciplinary regional conservation studies.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
B.A. Physical Geography (concentration in ecology and geographic information science), University of California, Berkeley, 1995

• Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting: Senior Ecologist and GIS Specialist, 2003–present
• Wetlands and Water Resources: Wetland Ecologist/GIS Specialist Consultant, 2001-2005
• UC Berkeley College of Natural Resources, CAMFER Lab: Ecologist/GIS Specialist Research Assistant, 2000-2001
• Applied Geographics, Boston, MA: GIS Technical Manager, 1997-2000
• City of Oakland: GIS Technician, 1996-1997
• U.C. Berkeley Map Library: Assistant Librarian, 1993 – 1996

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Mr. Schweitzer combines 20 years of experience as a professional vegetation and wetland ecologist with nearly 24 years of experience in cartography and geographic information science (GIS, remote sensing/image analysis,

M.S. Biology, San Francisco State University, Romberg Tiburon Center, 2016
B.A. Environmental Studies and Ethnic Studies (double major), Mills College, 2004

• Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting: Senior Ecologist, 2005–present
• BMP Ecosciences: Botanist, 2003-2005
• Mills College and CSU Stanislaus: Biological Research Assistant, 2003

Cassie Pinnell, VNLC’s Arcata Office Lead/Senior Ecologist, holds an MS in Biology from SF State University and has been working as a professional ecologist since 2005, with over four years as Executive Director of a watershed restoration non-profit in Humboldt County. Her work has included managing large-scale restoration projects, and conducting statewide surveys for special-status plant and wildlife species, using a variety of survey techniques in both wetland and upland environments.

M.S. Range Management (with Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Information, Science, and Technology), University of California, Berkeley, 2016
B.S. Conservation and Resource Studies, University of California, Berkeley, 2010

• Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting: Senior Ecologist, 2018–present
• Point Reyes National Seashore: Range Management Specialist, 2016-2018
• University of Califronia, Berkeley: Graduate Student Researcher, 2014-2016
• Condor Country Consulting, Inc.: Staff Biologist, 2013-2014
• Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting: Staff Ecologist and GIS Analyst, 2009-2013
• East Bay Regional Park District: Wildland Vegetation Intern, 2014, 2015
• Yosemite National Park: Backcountry Botany Technician, 2011, 2012

Ms. Foss is an ecologist with a robust understanding of science-based adaptive land management, field survey protocols,

B.A. Biology (concentration in evolution and ecology), University of California, Davis, 2006
GIS Certificate, San Jose State University, 2009

• Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting: Staff Ecologist and GIS Analyst, May 2011-present
• FRP Games: Database Administrator, 2009-2011
• Stepping Stone Tutors: Tutor, 2009-2011
• Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes: Tutor, 2007-2009
• Franklin-McKinley School District: Substitute Teacher, 2006-2008

Mr. Smith’s educational background is in terrestrial and wetland ecology, and the use of spatial data to understand and present biological information. His educational background includes graduate coursework in ecological study design and geographic information science, with research experience using GIS to investigate the dispersal dynamics of plethodontid salamanders.

Mr. Smith was a science and math educator for four years,

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

• Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting, Senior Ecologist, 2023 – present
• American Rivers, Director, Central Valley Program, 2019 – 2023
• Stillwater Sciences, Senior Riparian Ecologist, 2006 – 2019
• University of San Francisco, Part-time faculty, 2005-2015, 2019
• Self-employed, Consulting Ecologist, 2004-2006
• Adaptive Management Services, USFS, Ecologist and Statistician, 2001-2005
• Tahoe and Eldorado National Forests, Field Ecologist, 1994-1998
• Wetlands Research Associates, Project Associate, 1993 – 1994
• Woods Hole Research Center, Research Associate, 1992-1993

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Dr. Merrill is a senior ecologist at Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting with over 25 years of experience working on river and meadow restoration and management in California.

B.S. Environmental Science and Management (concentration in ecology, biodiversity, and evolution), University of California, Davis, 2012

• Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting: Staff Ecologist, 2015-present
• Zone 7 Water Agency: Technical Field Coordinator, 2015
• Urban Creeks Council: Program/Field Manager, Program Coordinator, Intern, 2012-2015
• U.C. Davis Herbarium: Intern, 2012
• U.C. Davis Botanical Conservatory: Intern, 2012

Ms. Neuhaus has a unique professional background combining non-profit and government work. Her undergraduate work focused on ecology, botany, and GIS. Since earning her degree, she spent two years managing the Living Arroyos program, an environmental stewardship program to restore riparian habitat in Alameda County, and trained hundreds of volunteers in stream restoration tasks and native plant care.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

• Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting: Senior Ecologist, 2023-Present
• Woody Feed Stock Aggregation Pilot: Project Manager, 2023-Present
• Petrolia Fire Department: Captain, 2010-Present
• Mattole Valley Resource Center: Board Chair, 2017-Present
• Cooperative Agriculture Network: Co-founder, 2021-Present
• Mattole Uplift Cooperative: Founder, 2018-Present
• Mattole Salmon Group: Project Manager, 2009-2018
• Mattole Restoration Council: Program Manager, 1997-2003

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Mr. Barber’s education and professional experience focuses on organization and management of projects that further community, fisheries restoration, and climate resilience. Mr. Barber’s role at Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting is Senior ecologist. In this role he is developing and managing projects to support forestry and fisheries restoration efforts on the North Coast.

B.S. Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, 2019

• Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting (VNLC) Staff Ecologist 2019 – present
• United States Geological Survey (USGS) Biological Science Technician 2018-2019

Professional Summary

Mr. Hwang’s professional and educational background has focused on the study and conservation of a wide variety of California’s rare and threatened species. His main area of specialization is in the biology and ecology of California’s reptile and amphibian species such as the giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas), California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) and the Mohave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). Mr. Hwang also has experience working with other taxa including large freshwater branchiopods and other aquatic invertebrates.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

• Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting (VNLC): Staff Ecologist, 2018—present
• Barrett-Henzi Lab (Eastern Cape, South Africa): Behavioral Research Assistant, 2017—2018
• Mattole Restoration Council (Petrolia, CA): Nursery Assistant, 2020—2021
• Mattole Restoration Council Board of Directors: Secretary, 2021—present
• Lost Coast Camp (Petrolia, CA): Director, 2017—present

EDUCATION
B.S. Wildlife, Fish, And Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, 2020

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Ms. Vollmar received her B.S. in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology from the University of California, Davis, in 2020. During her undergraduate, she worked as a primatologist in South Africa, where she conducted observational research on wild vervet monkeys for the Barrett-Henzi Lab of the University of Lethbridge,

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

• Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting (VNLC): Staff Ecologist, 2022-present
• Petralogix Engineering, Inc.: Staff Scientist, 2021-2022
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS): Biological Science Technician, April-October 2021
• Redwoods Rising Watershed Rehabilitation: Apprentice, May-September 2019

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Mr. Bokisch’s undergraduate work focused on plant taxonomy, ecology, conservation, restoration of native habitats, and GIS. He has experience with survey methods such as trawling, seining, dipnetting, and night spotlighting. He is proficient in ArcGIS, Microsoft Office, and data collection using Trimble GPS units. Mr. Bokisch has experience surveying for several sensitive species including amphibian larval surveys (including California red-legged frog and California tiger salamander), western pond turtle surveys, snowy plover surveys,

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

• Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting (VNLC): GIS Specialist/Biologist, 2023-present
• Pacific Watershed Associates: GIS Specialist/Cartographer, 2022-2023
• Redwood National and State Parks: Road Removal Technician, 2021-2022
• Redwood Parks Conservancy: GIS Intern, 2020-2021

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Mr. Wrigley’s education and professional experience focuses on restoration and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). He holds an environmental degree from UC Santa Cruz, a GIS certificate from Cal Poly Humboldt, and is an FAA certified drone pilot. With a combined two and half years of professional experience in both national park and consultancy settings, he has worked on projects from small scale mapping of legacy logging roads to large scale mapping of private property.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

• Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting: Staff Ecologist, September 2023-Present
• Olberding Environmental Inc.: Biological Monitor, June-Aug 2023

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Mr. Edwards has worked in a variety of ecological and biological disciplines including restoration ecology, land management, botany, and entomology. He has been interested in protecting wildlife and wild spaces from a young age, regularly attending the Lindsey Wildlife Experience and Rehabilitation Center in Walnut Creek to learn about the zoology of native Bay Area fauna. At the University of California Santa Barbara, this passion led naturally to the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology program.

After graduating from UCSB, Mr. Edwards returned to the Bay Area and pursued a variety of seasonal and volunteer positions to gain experience working in the field of ecology.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

• Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting (VNLC): Staff Ecologist, 2023 – present
• University of California, Santa Cruz: Teaching Assistant, 2023

EDUCATION
B.S. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 2023

REPRESENTATIVE PROJECT EXPERIENCE

Coyote Ridge Pond Surveys (Sant Clara County, CA)
Survey Assistant (2023 – Present)
Assisted in multiple rounds of visual encounter surveys for California red legged frogs and California tiger salamanders. Additional night spotlight surveys were conducted for the frog species at the site. In addition, many other species of reptiles were found including the rare western black-headed snake.

Santa Cruz Long Toed Salamander Monitoring (Monterey County, CA)
Survey Assistant (2023)
Assisted in seining and dipnetting surveys for federally endangered Santa Cruz long-toed salamanders.

M.S. Botany, California State University, Chico, 1997
B.S. Botany, California State University, San Francisco, 1974

• Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting: Senior Botanist, 2001 – present
• Jones and Stokes Associates: Field Botanist, 1990-2001
• CA Dept. of Fish and Game, Shasta County, CA: Vegetation Specialist, 1993
• U.S. Forest Service, Modoc National Forest, CA: Seasonal Botanist, 1990-1991

Mr. Hale is a botanist and wetland ecologist with more than 15 years of professional experience. He is an expert on California’s flora and plant communities with particular knowledge of California’s Sierra Nevada and Central Valley regions. Mr. Hale has conducted botanical surveys throughout California in many plant communities including vernal pool, salt marsh,

B.A. Physical Geography, University of California, Berkeley, 1992

• Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting: Field Ecologist, 1998-present
• Chambers Group, Inc.: Biologist, 1995-1996
• Ecosystems: Biologist, 1993-1995
• U.C. Santa Cruz, Predatory Bird Group: Research Assistant, 1991-1992

Mr. McCoy has over 10 years’ professional experience in the fields of wildlife biology, habitat restoration, ecology, botany and geography. Mr. McCoy received a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Geography from the University of California, Berkeley in 1992.

During his professional career, Mr. McCoy has been an integral part of numerous wildlife and ecological field studies, habitat assessments, large restoration projects, sensitive species surveys, database analysis and interpretation projects, species natural history summaries,

B.S. Conservation and Resource Studies, University of California, Berkeley, 2016
B.A. Geography, University of California, Berkeley, 2016

• Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting: Staff Ecologist, 2018-present
• Soil and Environmental Biogeophysics Lab, UC Berkeley: Research Assistant, 2016

Ms. Chinn’s undergraduate work focused on agriculture, geography, and GIS. During her undergraduate degree, Ms. Chinn spent a year working under PhD candidate Sarick Matzen studying the ability of Pteris vittata to accumulate arsenic in contaminated soils. Her field survey technique experience includes seining and RMA surveys. She is proficient in ArcGIS, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Creative Suite software, and data collection using Trimble GPS units.

Ms. Chinn has applied her skills to a variety of projects in Northern California and the Central Valley with VNLC.

B.S. Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, 2019

• Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting (VNLC) Staff Biologist October 2019- present
• UC Davis Center for Veterinary Genetics Field Technician June-Sept 2019
• Soil Biogeochemistry Lab, UC Davis Department of Land, Air and Water Resources Lab Assistant 2017-2018
• Moyle Biology Lab, UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences Lab Assistant 2017-2019

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Ms. Yonashiro’s undergraduate work focused on wildlife taxonomy, ecology and conservation. Her main area of specialization is in the biology and ecology of California’s avian species. Ms. Yonashiro also has experience with other taxa, particularly aquatic invertebrates. During her undergraduate degree, Ms. Yonashiro spent two years working under Dr.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

• Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting (VNLC), Staff Ecologist, 2023-present
• Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Research Assistant, 2022
• California Institute of Environmental Studies (CIES), Restoration Ecologist, 2022
• Marine Science Institute-UCSB, Salt Marsh Monitoring Technician, 2021
• Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration, Student Worker & Researcher, 2020-2021
• Parasite Ecology Laboratory-UCSB, Student Researcher, 2018-2019

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Mr. Dobson specializes in a variety of ecological disciplines including herpetology, botany, parasitology, and restoration ecology. He began his career as a research assistant in Yosemite National Park studying the parasites of native and non-native amphibians. Ironically, the COVID-19 pandemic forced Alistair away from the disease-focused laboratory and towards fieldwork related to ecological restoration.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

• Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting (VNLC): Staff Ecologist, 2023 – present
• Palouse Clearwater Environmental Institute: AmeriCorps Restoration Technician,2022-2023
• Maricopa County Parks and Recreation: Desert Defender/Eco-Database Intern, 2022

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Mr. Hurd worked in invasive species monitoring and restoration before joining VNLC. His educational and volunteer background focuses on herpetology and botany, particularly in the desert southwest.

Mr. Hurd has worked on a variety of projects. As an AmeriCorps Restoration Technician, he coordinated with landowners and a University of Idaho project planning class to draft a Clean Water Act 319 grant proposal on behalf of his host organization; and finalized the designs with the restoration coordinator.

B.A.

Mr. Knowles has acted as a real estate broker, consultant or principal on land conservation projects in California since 1989. He received his A.B. in American Studies from Stanford University in 1987 and is a licensed real estate broker with the State of California. Mr. Knowles is the Founder and President of Conservation Land Group based in Sausalito.

Mr. Knowles’ efforts have led to the permanent protection of over 100,000 acres of endangered species habitat, wetlands, wildlife corridors, working farms, coastal properties, and cultural/historic sites in the western U.S. VNLC provided ecological expertise for many of these projects. Mr. Knowles provides guidance to private landowners, non-profit conservancies and public agencies on land conservation priorities, charitable planning related to land preservation and strategies for securing acquisition funding from a variety of federal,

Ph.D., Environmental Scientist

Dr. Siegel has devoted his professional career to the conservation and restoration of wetland and aquatic systems with an emphasis on estuarine tidal wetlands. His combined work experience and graduate studies have built his expertise as an integrative physical scientist and geomorphologist with considerable emphasis on the related disciplines of ecology, environmental regulation and policy, contaminant remediation in estuarine environments, management, and business.

Dr. Siegel focuses on the integration of numerous disciplines into a comprehensive systems approach for regional ecosystem planning, ecosystem restoration projects, and scientific research into ecosystem restoration and management issues. His approach is now commonly referred to as “ecosystem-based” management. Dr. Siegel works primarily in the San Francisco Estuary and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta with other efforts elsewhere in coastal California as well as in the tropical Pacific.

M.S., Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist

Mr. Sloat is a wildlife and fisheries biologist with more than 15 years of experience, and extensive knowledge of biological resources throughout California. He has managed many projects ranging from small private land restoration to region-wide biological inventories. Mr. Sloat received his B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology in 1988 from the University of California, Davis, and his M.S. in Ecology in 1998 from U.C. Davis.

Mr. Sloat is an expert ornithologist, and also has extensive experience with threatened and endangered terrestrial and aquatic species. He excels at coordinating natural resource improvements by working with a diverse group of stakeholders. He currently coordinates a large-scale water-quality monitoring program focusing on collecting background physical and biological data for the major tributaries of the upper Pit River in northeastern California.

M.E.S., Permitting Specialist

Mr. Phillips has over seven years of professional experience as a wildlife biologist and ecologist. He has a comprehensive understanding of the environmental planning process, including expertise in sensitive biological resources and the state and federal regulations protecting these resources (e.g., CEQA, the state and federal Endangered Species Acts, the federal Clean Water Act, and the California Fish and Game Code).

Mr. Phillips has extensive experience analyzing the effects of development projects on biological resources and has prepared numerous biological resource chapters of EIRs, Biological Assessments for Section 7 consultations, and Biological Constraints Evaluations. Mr. Phillips also has conducted special-status species surveys, habitat evaluations, wetland delineations, vegetation mapping, mitigation design and implementation, and coordinating with state and federal resource agencies.

Ph.D., Wildlife Biologist/Wetland Ecologist

Dr. Helm is a senior biologist and wetland ecologist with over 18 years’ experience as a professional consultant, research scientist, and adjunct professor. Dr. Helm received his Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of California, Davis in 1999. He also has an M.S. in Ecology from U.C. Davis (1996) and a B.S. in Wildlife Management from Humboldt State University (1988).

As a consultant, Dr. Helm has served as project manager and principal investigator for a broad range of resource assessment, mitigation and conservation projects including many large-scale, complex, and controversial projects. These have included developing and implementing field surveys for special-status plant and wildlife species; assessing sensitive resource impacts and developing mitigation plans;

B.S., Botanist

Mr. Kelsey is an agronomist and vegetation ecologist with over 20 years’ experience. His background includes botanical work, vegetation assessment, geologic work (specifically particle analysis and distribution in sedimentary deposits), soil assessments, and geo-morphologic descriptions including associated plant communities. Mr. Kelsey received his degree in Agronomy from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo in 1978.

Working as a botanist, Mr. Kelsey has conducted floristic surveys in conjunction with mined land reclamation plans, and rare plant surveys involving vernal pool, annual grassland, and oak woodland habitats in the San Joaquin Valley and adjacent Sierra foothills. Mr. Kelsey participated in the botanical field surveys for the ecological study of eastern Merced County’s vernal pool landscapes. Mr. Kelsey has prepared reclamation plans which have been approved under the State of California Surface Mine and Reclamation Act and continues to actively advise on such projects.

Certified Rangeland Manager #M106, State of California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, 2015

B.S. Natural Resources Management, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, 1982.

• Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting,Range Management Specialist 2019 – Present
• East Bay Regional Park District, Wildland Vegetation Program Manager 2013 – 2019
• East Bay Regional Park District, Park Supervisor 1990 – 2013
• East Bay Regional Park District, Park Ranger 1983 – 1990

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Ms. Defreese has over three decades of public land management experience gained as a wildland vegetation program manager, park supervisor and park ranger. As the range program manager for over 80,000 acres, she oversaw over 80 grazing licenses held by 43 ranchers using mostly cattle,

Information Technology Specialist

Mr. Bucknor is a computer specialist who maintains the connectivity of networked computers and an intranet system that allows VNLC’s employees and associated subcontractors to access project management tools and project files from remote locations.