Staff
Staff
The Conservancy's staff combines advanced degrees in natural sciences and environmental studies with environmental education and non-profit program management. The staff carries out the Conservancy's day-to-day operations and scientific functions.
x707, doug@sanelijo.org
Doug has served as executive director of the Conservancy since 1996. He began his work at San Elijo Lagoon conducting biological monitoring for Pacific Estuarine Research Lab out of San Diego State University. Doug has conducted research in many of the lagoons and estuaries in San Diego County and taught classes on Ecological Assessment Methods at University of California, San Diego. He served as a field project manager for Scripps Institution of Oceanography on their study of sand replenishment efforts in the county. These projects have spanned 14 years of direct contact with these systems. Doug participated in the planning and pre-implementation phases of large restoration projects at San Dieguito, Buena Vista, San Elijo Lagoons and the Carlsbad Hydrologic Unit (7 watersheds).
Doug has extensive knowledge of current policy and regulations of coastal wetlands in Southern California. He is responsible for raising over 12 million dollars for projects at San Elijo Lagoon and the Hydrologic Unit over the past 10 years.
His leadership role extends to: former co-chair of Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project, San Diego County; Member of the California Invasive Species Plant Council - Government Affairs Committee; scientific/technical advisor of Carlsbad Watershed Network; and former member of the Independent Tax Oversight Committee for Transnet.
x708, elaine@sanelijo.org
Elaine has over 20 years of experience in non-profit fundraising and management. Before joining the Conservancy in 2005, she served as the executive director of the Solana Beach Foundation for Learning. Elaine was a founding board member and past executive director of S.T.O.P. -- Safe Tables Our Priority a national consumer advocacy organization. Prior to moving to California, Elaine worked in Washington, DC as the food safety program director for the Government Accountability Project and practiced law for several public interest law firms working on cases ranging from environmental litigation to whistleblower protection. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and a law degree from McGeorge School of Law. Elaine lives a hop, skip and a jump from the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve and has a home on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
x702, amy@sanelijo.org
Amy has been with the Conservancy since 2001. She coordinates the field crews for the invasive species control program throughout the Carlsbad Hydrologic Unit, and has been working to formalize and expand the Conservancy's land stewardship program. Amy can often be seen in the lagoon conducting monitoring and assessment work, and throughout upland areas in the watershed engaging in a variety of stewardship activities.
Prior to joining SELC, Amy received a BS degree in Ecology, Behavior and Evolution from the University of California, San Diego. While at UCSD she studied in a Wildlife Ecology and Conservation program in Tanzania, looking specifically at conflicts between wildlife and farmers living near national parks.
x706, debby@sanelijo.org
Debby was hired as a part-time employee in October 2007 to support the program managers with day-to-day operations in the areas of development, education, outreach and general administration. Her primary duties are related to stewardship and acknowledging member contributions. Debby first came to SELC as a temporary employee working on the Birds of a Feather Gala 2007.
Prior to joining SELC, Debby had a successful career in human resources/employee relations working for various corporations and as an independent consultant. For many years, she has volunteered for numerous North County non-profit organizations, including the San Dieguito River Park for the past four years. Debby has lived in Encinitas for the past 23 years with her husband and two sons.
x704, barry@sanelijo.org
Barry Lindgren started working for San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy as a volunteer in 2003 and now is employed fulltime as water quality specialist overseeing the stream flow gauges in the watershed and conducting water quality measurements in the lagoon. With over 22 years of experience in marketing and management, co-founder of a local instrument company and a past president of San Diego Stream Team, Barry is well equipped to manage the water quality program at San Elijo Lagoon. Barry is familiar with many of the watersheds in San Diego County having worked on the Carlsbad Watershed Program. He has a degree in Physics from the University of California, San Diego and a certificate in California Water Management and Ecosystem Restoration from the University of CA, Berkeley.
x701, tara@sanelijo.org
Tara is responsible for developing and implementing curriculum-based environmental education programs that meet state California Academic Content standards. She is also responsible for environmental education programs for the community at large, and for recruiting and training docents.
Tara began her career in the environmental field as a Peace Corps volunteer in the 1980’s where she spent 3 years working on reforestation projects in Niger, West Africa. Upon returning to the states, Tara settled in Washington DC where she was involved in environmental research and education while working for the Ecological Society of America, the National Park Service, and the Audubon Naturalist Society. After moving to San Diego in 2003, Tara served as a docent for the Conservancy, and also worked for the Solana Center for Environmental Innovation as Program Manager for school recycling.
Tara holds a BA in Biology and Environmental Studies, and an MS in Biology with an emphasis on nutrient cycling in wetland soils in Virginia.
x705, geoffrey@sanelijo.org
Geoffrey Joined the staff of San Elijo Conservancy in July 2009, where his responsibilities are to oversee and build upon San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy’s efforts to engage and connect with its membership and new constituences in the community at large. Geoffrey's specific roles include public relations, marketing, media contact, website and newsletter publication, resource supervision and community events.
Geoffrey served as Executive Director for The Escondido Creek Conservancy (TECC) 2005 - 2007. While there, he developed knowledge of watershed systems and constituencies that have prepared him well for his current role at SELC. Geoffrey has held staff positions at The Sierra Club, The Desert Protective Council, the USDA Forest Service, Cleveland National Forest, and UCAN. Geoffrey served as the Chairperson of the Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve Citizens Advisory Committee for 19 years, where he oversaw the development of a Master Plan and Natural Resources Management Plan for the 4,000 acre open space preserve.
In a former life, Geoffrey worked for over 20 years as a software engineer before deciding to 'follow his passion' and devote his professional talents to the environmental nonprofit sector.
Geoffrey earned his BA in Biology from UC San Diego (1977), and an MA in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego (2005). He is married to Camille Armstrong, a 30-year professional public primary school educator, who is now happy to be working as Education Coordinator for San Diego Audubon Society.
Find Geoffrey on facebook , blogspot and virtually many other places.
