Staff
Kara Heckert -
Executive Director
Kara Heckert provides oversight for all Sotoyome RCD programs and builds partnerships with landowners, non-profits, consultants, and local, state, and federal agencies. In addition Kara secures funding and manages a million dollar plus annual budget and develops RCD programs and policy. Kara has had over twelve years of experience working in the field of natural resource management and has a strong background in habitat enhancement and restoration project management in the Russian River watershed. She previously worked at the Sotoyome RCD as Restoration Project Manager and at the Natural Resources Conservation Service as the Russian River Soil Conservationist. Kara was born and raised in Napa County and has been living in Sonoma County since 1998.
Valerie Minton -
Conservation Program Manager
Valerie manages the Sotoyome RCD's conservation program, working primarily with agricultural landowners to implement projects benefitting soil and water resources. Projects under her management include vineyard water conservation and frost protection alternatives, rural residential water conservation and storage, on-farm conservation planning and development of projects such as nutrient management measures and hedgerows. She also provides technical assistance to landowners for resource-related issues such as erosion and invasive plants, and is currently working to develop additional conservation programs for the RCD. Valerie also participates in outreach and education activities, including landowner workshops and educational outings focused on resource management and local agriculture. She previously worked for the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board doing TMDL development, basin planning and water quality monitoring. Valerie has a B.S. in Biology from Sonoma State University and was born and raised in Sebastopol.
Andy Casarez -
Physical Scientist
Andy Casarez has experience in watershed analysis, geomorphic mapping, and erosion control implementation. He currently specializes in assessing and mitigating road-related and other erosion sources on private lands and managing implementation projects. Andy previously worked for Pacific Watershed Associates, a close partner that has worked with Sotoyome RCD for nearly 15 years successfully implementing sediment reduction projects on rural roads. Andy has a B.S. in Physical Geography from Humboldt State University.
Francesca Innocenti -
Biologist
Francesca has nearly 12 years experience in the aquatic and environmental biology fields that includes working as a biologist for a fisheries and ecological consulting firm and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and as an environmental analyst / quality control officer specializing in aquatic toxicology, as well as working for the CDFG and the Pacific States Marine Fisheries. She has participated in field surveys, electro-fishing, water temperature and water quality monitoring, stream habitat surveys and fish relocation projects. In her position as Biologist at the RCD she manages the Watershed Assessment and Monitoring program and performs the associated field work, statistical analysis, graphing of water quality / temperature and chemistry data, GIS and reporting. Francesca has a Bachelor's degree in Biology and a Minor in Mathematics and Computers.
Playalina Nelson -
Restoration Ecologist
Playalina has over five years experience conducting biological studies in Northern California for a wide range of projects. She has in-depth knowledge of the flora and plant communities of our region. Her work has focused on conducting botanical surveys, wetland delineations, and restoration and invasive plant removal plans. She has experience working as an independent consultant and with several environmental consulting companies and completing projects based on federal, state and local jurisdictions. In addition to working as a consultant, she has experience teaching a native plant field course, and has implemented restoration projects in rural areas in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Playalina will be managing the Arundo donax removal project and helping to coordinate and implement riparian restoration projects. She is very excited to collaborate and work with a diverse group of land owners, community members and agencies to coordinate and maintain long term riparian conservation within the Russian and Gualala River Watersheds. Playalina graduated from Humboldt State University with a B.S. in Ethnobotany in 2005 and since has continued her education through taking many courses focusing on restoration, wetland science, and CEQA compliance.
Kevin Cullinen -
Project Technician
Kevin has worked as a Project Technician for the Sotoyome Resource Conservation District for over a year. He earned his B.A. in Environmental Studies and a minor in Earth Sciences from the University of California, Santa Cruz. While attending college in Santa Cruz, Kevin interned for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, where he performed a variety of soil mapping work using field maps and ArcGIS software. At Sotoyome RCD, Kevin is a key member of the Rural Roads Improvement Program. Previous work has included working with Sotoyome RCD's Physical Scientist to complete two sediment source assessments covering 65 miles of rural roads over four coastal watersheds in the Jenner Headlands. Kevin was also a key staff member in completing three comprehensive stream channel surveys in the Jenner Headlands Preserve, owned by the Sonoma Land Trust. Recent work has included taking part in the RCD's water quality monitoring program deploying temperature loggers, and taking water quality and stream measurements. Kevin also has experience with the use of ESRI's ArcGIS software for many spatial analysis and cartographic functions.
Rita Kelley -
Water Resource Planner
Rita Whitney Kelley spent 13+ years with the USGS Water Science Center in Carson City NV, working on a variety of surface and groundwater projects and programs. She maintained water quality and quantity stations at the Stillwater Wildlife Refuge that resulted in the acquisition of critical water rights to maintain clean water flow in drought years.
Moving on to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency expanded her experience in program management and project implementation for this very unique bi-State agency. Projects ranged from small roadside improvements to 20 acre stream restoration, monitoring surface and lake water quality, as well as air quality and aquatic invasive species. She graduated with a BS in Geology from the University of Nevada at Reno.
Smita Martinez -
Business and Communications Manager
Smita Martinez provides support to the Executive Director and staff at Sotoyome RCD. She is responsible for preparing financial reports and managing the day to day operations of the business. Smita's background is in supporting executives with marketing, finance and staff management. She has been successful with building strategic partnerships, managing budgets, office management and fundraising through grants as well as private donors. She moved to Santa Rosa in 2006 and continues to be actively involved in community service. Smita was raised in Miami, FL, where she received her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration.
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