Gregg Werner, Secretary
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.

Alicia Herrera
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.

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.

Nathan Bello
Ecologist

Nathan has spent the last 20 years working professionally as an ecologist throughout California.  He has worked as a wildlife biologist in Lassen National Forest, as an environmental planner in Sacramento County and as the Conservation Strategies Team Leader for WRA, Inc. specializing in the planning, implementation and management of large-scale habitat mitigation, restoration and conservation projects.  He has had the opportunity to work with several non-profit land trusts throughout the state as a consultant for private landowners coordinating approximately 6,000 acres of conservation easements and associated land management endowments.  His current professional focus is on privately funded conservation and restoration projects, where private investment in environmental outcomes is helping to accelerate the pace of conservation and restoration work.

Nathan lives in Oak Run where he and his wife raise two young boys, and enjoy the expansive opportunities for hiking, camping, paddling and biking that Shasta County has to offer.  Nathan’s wife runs a small farm business on their property selling sustainably raised wool, soap, and meat from their flock of Navajo-Churro sheep.

Kyle Vowell
Insurance Business Owner

Kyle is a dedicated community member and small business owner based in Redding, California, where he has lived since 2012. Originally from Mississippi, Kyle and his wife moved to Redding with plans to stay for just two years but quickly fell in love with the vibrant community and the region’s natural beauty. With over a decade of experience as a small business owner, Kyle has built strong relationships within the local network and has a keen understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by businesses and landowners in the area. As a Director on the board of the Shasta Land Trust, Kyle is passionate about land preservation and stewardship, particularly in support of the Climate Conservation Initiative. Though new to the field, he is committed to learning about the impactful work of the Shasta Land Trust and is eager to contribute to fundraising efforts and outreach initiatives that highlight the organization’s achievements.

An avid outdoor enthusiast, Kyle enjoys hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, bird watching, and kayaking. He is also passionate about gardening and is an advocate for soil health and regenerative agriculture. Kyle believes in the importance of preserving our natural landscapes and is dedicated to advancing the mission of the Shasta Land Trust