SHASTA LAND TRUST STAFF
Paul Vienneau, Executive Director
Paul started with the Shasta Land Trust in December 2015. Born and raised in Shasta County, he returned with his wife after being away for nearly 14 years. He graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a degree in Politics in 2005 and after enjoying the beautiful landscape of the Santa Cruz Mountains he moved to Southern California to pursue his law degree at the University of La Verne, College of Law. After graduating in 2013 with his Juris Doctor he pursued a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. Rather than pursue a career as a practicing attorney he focused a great deal of his time during his master’s program on water conservation, technology/innovation and water ownership rights. Additionally, while in Southern California he worked at the City of Upland as a Water Conservation Intern and conducted a large amount of research concerning water regulation/ownership as a graduate assistant at the University of La Verne.
When not working, Paul enjoys spending quality time with his wife and parents who still reside in Shasta County. After being out of the area for over 14 years he is once again enjoying the beautiful landscape that is northern California by hiking and traveling to the hidden gems that surround the area. As a way to burn off stress he enjoys working out at Northstate Crossfit where he has found personal growth, new friends, and wellness.
Tessa Blevins, Director of Conservation
Tessa Blevins serves as the Shasta Land Trust Director of Conservation and is responsible for overseeing all land protection projects as well as monitoring protected properties, grant writing, and coordinating activities that educate community members about important local conservation work. Prior to joining the Shasta Land Trust in September 2018, Tessa was a Project Manager for the Western Shasta Resource Conservation District, where she implemented grant funded projects such as off-highway recreation area restoration and management, as well as managed aspects of the District’s conservation easement program.
She is a Northern California local who has lived in Shasta County, the central valley, and on the beautiful redwood coast. She holds a B.S. in Ecology with an emphasis in Biodiversity from Humboldt State University and has obtained Geographic Information System (GIS) and botanical knowledge of California’s native flora over the years. She enjoys spending her free time going on outdoor adventures with her husband and children.
Gabriella Boyer, Conservation Projects Manager
Gabriella Boyer serves as Shasta Land Trust's Conservation Projects Manager. After graduating with her bachelor’s in Fish and Wildlife Science from Oregon State University, she spent the first part of her career working in agricultural pest management developing cultural methods to reduce insect infestation in orchards. She then moved to Seattle, WA and entered the public education and lab science fields working for two different non-profits, and also volunteered at the Audobon Society and a wildlife rehabilitation center. She most recently worked locally conducting wildlife monitoring in Shasta County.
Gabriella moved to Shasta County in hopes of more sunshine and new landscapes to enjoy. When not working she now spends her time in the outdoors, cooking, and planning her next adventure.
Christina Sousa, Conservation Projects Manager
Christina joined Shasta Land Trust in March of 2023 with a strong background in wildlife conservation. Born and raised in Siskiyou County, she then went on to Humboldt State University and obtained her B.S. Degrees in Zoology and in General Biology. Christina has worked among a variety of habitats within California, including wetlands, central valley sites, foothills, mountains, grazed lands, and freshwater and coastal fisheries. She has experience with a vast number of taxa (including threatened and endangered species), along with grant and program management and administration. In 2019, Christina returned to Shasta County because of her passion for this area and to be closer to family.
Outside of work, Christina enjoys camping, fishing, swimming, and gardening/landscaping. At home she is surrounded by loads of reptiles, orchids, her two cats, and she is well-known by many for her homemade baked goods.
Natalya Tharaldsen, Operations & Engagement Coordinator
Natalya joins the Land Trust with over three years of experience as an administrative assistant. She loves helping people accomplish their goals and desires to make their life much simpler and less stressful. She loves problem-solving and working with challenging projects as a way to motivate her to expand her job skills. She adores animals; especially spending time with her cat Nalah. Natalya loves hiking, snowboarding, swimming and adventuring all over the state with her husband! Her new hobby is horticulture and growing her knowledge in healing the body with natural foods and herbs.
Piper, Ambassador of Happiness
Piper is now on her 8th year at the Shasta Land Trust as our Ambassador of Happiness. As a Goldendoodle, she welcomes lots of love, belly rubs, and the chance to chase her frisbee whenever she finds a willing partner.
She welcomes new visitors and will quickly become your best friend if you let her. During fun times and stressful ones, Piper is here to bring a little joy into your life. In her free time you will find her looking for squirrels, taking naps under the desks, and viewing the property from her favorite chair.
