BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Shasta Land Trust is a 100% Board giving organization governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors.
Alicia Herrera, Chair
Field Ecologist
Alicia is a California native who was drawn north by Shasta County’s wide-open spaces and easy access to trails and nature. As a Partner Biologist with Point Blue Conservation Science’s Working Lands Group, Alicia works directly with farmers, ranchers, and land managers in Shasta County to improve ecosystem function and promote regenerative agricultural practices on privately owned working lands. Through ecological monitoring, Alicia helps landowners make informed management decisions while contributing to the larger body of knowledge of rangeland science. Recognizing the unique and extremely important role privately-owned working lands play in maintaining and promoting soil health, plant communities, and wildlife populations, Alicia is excited to join the Shasta Land Trust Board to continue helping to conserve these vital landscapes.
When not craning her neck skyward looking for birds, Alicia enjoys mountain biking the world-class local trail system with her husband and young son.
Robert "Bob" Nash, Treasurer
Rancher/Finance
Bob has 37 years of experience in agricultural and business finance and has operated an independent family farming operation since 1971. He is currently the Executive Director (1990 to Present) of Superior California Economic Development, Inc., a not for profit economic and business development corporation based in Redding, California. Bob is also a board member of the California Finance Consortium, Inc., a new affiliate financing organization formed in 2014 and has served on the Executive Advisory Committee for the Shasta College Ag and Natural Resources Department for several years. In addition, Bob has also served for 25 years on the Bella Vista Water District Board as well as a board member and past president of the Shasta County Farm Bureau.
Bob earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Management at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) in 1980. He is a long time supporter of agricultural education and training at the local high schools and has supported and advised Future Farmers and 4H for many years. Bob has been married for 29 years and has three grown children, all of whom participate in the family farm operation.
Jenn Snider, Secretary
Community Health Professional
Over the past 22 years, Jennifer (“Jenn”) and her husband, Jason, have made their home in Shasta County. Jenn and Jason raised their son Owen, now a student at CSU Long Beach with a great appreciation for the outdoors and natural spaces. As a family, the Snider’s spent lots of time exploring the beautiful landscape of the north state through hiking, camping, kayaking, and bike riding.
With a Bachelor's degree in Health Science and a Master's degree in Public Health, Jenn has been dedicated to our community’s health and well-being for years. Drawing from her background in Public Health, Jenn recognizes that preserving land, particularly land with natural, recreational, agricultural, and historic value is essential. These protected spaces contribute to the overall well-being of residents through opportunities for physical activity, mental rejuvenation, community engagement, and more.
She’s thrilled to bring her experience and enthusiasm to the Shasta Land Trust, preserving the breathtaking landscapes that define where we all live, work, and play.
Gregg Werner
Environmental Planner
Gregg is a long-term resident of Redding who was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas. He grew up fascinated by the outdoors and exploring new places. He received a Bachelors degree in Social Sciences from Emporia State University and a Masters degree in Geography from Arizona State University. He enjoyed a 30-year career as a city planner and a second, 16-year career managing conservation projects for The Nature Conservancy. This work included land management and public access planning, riparian habitat restoration and streamflow improvement for salmon and steelhead.
He joined the Shasta Land Trust Board in 2005 and serves on the Lands and Finance Committees. He is drawn to the Land Trust because of the opportunity to work with dedicated landowners, staff and volunteers to preserve the amazing landscapes of the Northstate. His personal passions include travel, hiking and flyfishing.
Aaron Hatch
Financial Planner
Aaron is a home grown Shasta County kid who returned to the Redding-area in 2011 with his wife Rachel, after a decade-long hiatus living around the country and abroad. Aaron attended college in Minnesota at St. Olaf College and graduated with a degree in Biology. Upon returning to Redding, Aaron joined Catalyst Redding Young Professionals and served a two-year term as Co-Facilitator. In January 2015, Aaron, a Certified Financial Planner, launched Woven Capital, an independent, fee-only financial planning and investment management firm dedicated to helping individuals and families make smart decisions with their money.
Having lived in places where conservation was not a priority, Aaron values the mission of the Shasta Land Trust to preserve the beauty and character of our region. Aaron and his wife have a seven-year old son and enjoy exploring the area, gardening, traveling, and spending time on the water. As a new board member, Aaron is looking forward to spending more time on the Shasta Land Trust properties and getting to know the many people who help make this a great organization.
Gail Leonard
Educator
Gail was raised in Redding and educated in local schools. After graduating from Shasta High School, she attended the University of Oregon, graduating with an English major and a history minor. She taught English and worked for the Social Science Department at Shasta College for 8 years, before becoming a stay-at-home mother. Along with her husband, Lee, they raised their 3 children on a small farm, and spent years volunteering with local schools and 4-H projects. Preserving open space and protecting wildlife habitat has been a prominent focus for her family, and after years of planning was extremely proud to join with the Shasta Land Trust in placing a Conservation Easement on 30 acres of her family's land. This effort created the Lillian Nelson Nature Preserve, a mixed oak woodland on Boulder Creek in Redding, permanently preserving natural treasures and providing a location for outdoor education opportunities for school field trips and planned nature walks promoting local conservation.
Chantz Joyce
Licensed Professional Forester
For the past 20 years Chantz has worked with a wide array of organizations focused on forest management, restoration, and conservation. He is currently the California Conservation Manager for the American Forest Foundation, where he oversees the implementation of technical and financial assistance to non-industrial private forest landowners across the northern Sierra and southern Cascades. Chantz is a Registered Professional Forester and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Humboldt State University. He is committed to professional involvement and continuing education, collaborating with various boards and watershed groups during his career. Chantz is excited to be working with the Shasta Land Trust to help engage more landowners in conserving their forests.
Melissa Buciak
Geologist
Since 2005, Melissa has called Redding her home after relocating to Shasta County for a position at Jacobs Engineering (formerly CH2M Hill). Originally from the Chicagoland area, she has established herself in the community.
Melissa holds a bachelor's degree in Geological Sciences from Indiana University and a master's degree in Geochemistry from the University of Alabama. She is a licensed professional geologist with over 20 years of experience in environmental protection, specializing in water quality and groundwater remediation. Passionate about preserving land for future generations, Melissa has been actively involved with the Shasta Land Trust since approximately 2008, contributing as both a member and volunteer.
During her free time, Melissa and her husband enjoy exploring trails on their bicycles, walking their dogs at Turtle Bay East, and engaging in recreational activities at Whiskeytown Lake.
