MISSION
Rivers & Lands Conservancy connects our community to natural, wild, and open spaces of southern California through land conservation, stewardship, and education.
We strive to conserve and steward an assemblage of open spaces including parks, agricultural lands, sensitive habitats, and large nature reserves interwoven with the growing cities, towns, and rural neighborhoods across southern California. We seek opportunities for land acquisition and stewardship through creative and effective partnerships with private organizations, public agencies, businesses, and the public. Citizens, within a diverse community, benefit from land conservation, public access to nature, and education programs that encourage the management and protection of important natural resources for future generations.
Rivers & Lands Conservancy envisions a community that values and celebrates a mosaic of conserved lands which provide everlasting opportunities to connect with, care for, and enjoy nature.
HISTORY
Originally founded as Riverside Land Conservancy, Rivers & Lands Conservancy is a private nonprofit corporation, formed in 1989 to protect southern California landscapes that provide habitat and open space for wildlife and people for all future generations. During our 33-year history, Riverside Land Conservancy has been instrumental in acquiring and preserving over 14,500 acres of open space valued at over $82 Million. Many of these lands have been transferred to other conservation organizations such as the Bureau of Land Management, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, and the Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority. We work cooperatively with cities, special districts, and other agencies, as well as with willing property owners in pursuing common goals. We are not litigious, nor politically aggressive, choosing instead to work cooperatively to assist agencies and property owners to preserve and protect environmentally sensitive areas.
Rebecca K. O’Connor
Co-Executive Director (Development/Administration)
Joined Rivers & Lands Conservancy in 2017
“I am a Riverside native, a falconer of 25 years, and have watched large swathes of land dear to me disappear. I want the economy of Southern California to thrive, while native species in peril are protected, and also to leave a legacy of open space to future explorers and advocates of wild adventures. There is no better place for me to help make this happen than Rivers & Lands Conservancy.”
Rebecca has a BA and an MFA in creative writing from the University of California, Riverside. She began her career working in conservation education and has decades of experience working in fundraising. Most of her career has involved working for organizations advocating for the protection of lands and native animals.
Nicole Padron
Co-Executive Director (Conservation Programs)
Joined Rivers & Lands Conservancy in 2013
“I developed my love for open space during childhood camping trips. Ask anyone who supports conservation and they will tell you the value of open space was learned young. That is why Rivers & Lands Conservancy seeks to not only protect open space permanently, but also to provide various opportunities for young people to build their own personal connection to the land.”
Nicole has over 7 years’ experience planning and leading volunteer-based habitat restoration projects on Rivers & Lands Conservancy lands. Nicole holds a M.S. degree in Biology and a B.S. in Environmental Biology from Cal Poly Pomona. Nicole joined the Rivers and Lands Conservancy team as a Land Steward; she was promoted to Stewardship Director in 2017. Her duties include overseeing the stewardship and restoration of Rivers & Lands Conservancy’s growing number of nature preserves and conservation easements, which currently consist of 50 properties comprising over 2,400 acres.
Julie Yezzo
Office Manager
Joined Rivers & Lands Conservancy in 2006
“Sometimes I just want to stop and smell the roses.”
Julie brings over 25 years of experience with office management, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, financial reporting, and record keeping. As Rivers & Lands Conservancy’s Office Manager and bookkeeper, she tracks finances, reconciles our various accounts, and prepares a variety of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports. She maintains our records and archives and ensures that our day-to-day office activities function smoothly and efficiently. With over 15 years at Rivers & Lands Conservancy, Julie has been an employee longer than any other current staff member and has a great depth of institutional knowledge of Rivers & Lands Conservancy’s operations.
Rachael Hamilton
Community Programs Manager
Joined Rivers & Lands Conservancy in 2014
“I love sharing the wonders of the natural world with others! I believe that with knowing comes caring, and through my work with Rivers & Lands Conservancy I hope to connect the community with the natural world around us and encourage a sense of caring for the environment so that our wild and beautiful open spaces are protected for generations to come.”
After starting her professional career as a naturalist in the Cayman Islands, Rachael has been working in the local environmental nonprofit sector on projects that engage the community in hands-on environmental stewardship and outdoor education programs since 2009. Rachael began work with Rivers & Lands Conservancy in 2014 by overseeing the Santa Ana River Trust program. In addition to managing Rivers & Lands Conservancy’s community outreach and education programs, she also raises programmatic funds through grant writing and is the lead planner for Rivers & Conservancy’s Annual Fundraising Gala. She holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Barbara, and a M.A. in Environmental Education from CSU San Bernardino.
Angie Leon
Community Programs & Fundraising Assistant
Joined Rivers & Lands Conservancy in 2023
“As an avid hiker and gardener, I truly appreciate the natural beauty that the earth has to offer. The best way to extend that appreciation is through education. Educating others, especially the younger generation, on how to preserve the natural beauty that the Inland Empire has to offer is of upmost importance. With the collaboration of Rivers & Lands Conservancy and the local community, our home will truly thrive.”
Angie obtained her B.S. in Business Management from California Baptist University. Before starting at Rivers & Lands Conservancy, Angie performed city-wide project planning, volunteer recruiting, marketing, and IT support with local businesses and non-profits. In her role as Community Programs & Fundraising Assistant, she will be responsible for providing support for fundraising and the planning of community outreach and education events.
Maria Lum
Land Acquistion Coordinator
Joined Rivers & Lands Conservancy in 2019
Maria is enthusiastically dedicated to contributing to the land conservation mission of the Rivers & Lands Conservancy by applying 20 years of experience with southern California natural resource assessments, protected status species surveys, environmental compliance, mitigation, technical writing, and project management.
Maria is responsible for working with various community partners to plan for the acceptance of open space properties that are to be conserved per requirements of regulatory permitting processes. Maria holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and a Master’s Degree in Rangeland Management.
Michael Viramontes
Stewardship Manager
Joined Rivers & Lands Conservancy in 2017
mviramontes@riversandlands.org
“I grew up without being able to spend much time in the great outdoors, but always took every chance I got to explore California’s wild landscapes.”
Michael has 7 years of experience leading volunteer-based habitat restoration projects in California. Michael went to San Jose State University to obtain his B.S. in Environmental Studies, with a concentration in natural resource management. Before starting his work at Rivers & Lands Conservancy, he worked at several environmental non-profits where he developed his passion for learning about California native plants. He joined the Rivers & Lands Conservancy team in 2017 and currently assists with the stewardship and restoration of 2,400 acres of lands managed by the Rivers & Lands Conservancy.
Denis Charbonneau
Land Steward II
Joined Rivers & Lands Conservancy in 2019
dcharbonneau@riversandlands.org
“My passion for conservation stems from a lifelong love of wildlife, first developed as a child in Rialto’s natural landscapes. I want everyone to learn and appreciate the beauty that Inland Southern California holds, and I strive to advocate for the importance of open space.”
Denis holds B.A. degrees in Environmental Studies and Geography from CSU San Bernardino. A Rialto native, he has been volunteering with local environmental non-profits for over a decade before joining Rivers & Lands Conservancy as a land steward in 2019. His duties include overseeing the stewardship and restoration of Rivers & Lands Conservancy’s varied habitats and leading volunteer-based restoration projects.
Amy Tims
Land Steward
Joined Rivers & Lands Conservancy in 2023
“Land stewardship is not just a passion, but an act of being — my mother raised me to love and respect nature, and my father showed me beauty and presence in the mountains, rivers, oceans and skies. Today, I am thrilled to be able to bring my whole self into being a steward to the Land.”
Amy carries a B.S. in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology with a concentration in Native American and Indigenous Studies from UC Davis. She brings three prior years of conservation experience having performed restoration, invasive plant management, and vegetation surveys in the Angeles National Forest. Her responsibilities include monitoring and stewardship of Rivers & Lands Conservancy’s properties and assisting with our volunteer events.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Al Javier - President
Alfred Javier has been employed at Eastern Municipal Water District since 1988 and currently serves as the Director of Environmental and Regulatory Compliance. Additionally, Mr. Javier is an associate faculty member at Mt. San Jacinto College specializing in water technology education, including classes for Introduction to Water and Wastewater and Laboratory Methods for Water and Wastewater. He has previously served as the chairperson for both the Santa Ana River Dischargers Association and the Southern California Association of Publicly Owned Treatment Works Water Section. Currently, Mr. Javier is the chairperson for the San Jacinto Coalition, an association of Agricultural Owners and Operators organized under the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board for compliance with the Conditional Waiver for Agricultural Dischargers. Mr. Javier has a B.S. in Biology and a Masters of Public Administration.
Orion S. Goe - Vice President
Marketing Manager, The Toro Company
Orion is a Riverside native and works as the Channel Marketing Manager for The Toro Company’s irrigation and lighting division, where he leads channel partner relationship management, demand generation programs, and customer acquisition strategies. In addition to serving on the RLC Board, Orion also serves on the Inland SoCal United Way’s Board of Directors, and on the Advisory Board for Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful. Orion holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Cal State Fullerton, an MBA from the University of Redlands, and a professional certificate in Project Management from the UCR Extension Center.
George Spiliotis - Treasurer
George served as the Executive Officer of the Riverside Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) for 29 years. LAFCO is a State-mandated agency tasked with regulating boundaries of local government agencies, including annexation to, and detachment of territory from, cities and special districts, incorporation of new cities, consolidation of special districts and other organizational matters affecting local agencies. During his tenure he was also active in the statewide association, CALAFCO, serving on its Legislative Committee for two decades.
Following retirement in 2018, George completed the UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program. He has a special interest in California native plants and conducted a Zoom session for Master Gardeners on Incorporating Native Plants into Landscapes.
George has also been an active volunteer at the UC Riverside Botanic Gardens since 2014. Activities at the Gardens have included leading school and adult tours, working with a small team to maintain the Butterfly Garden and provide butterfly gardening information to visitors, as well as hosting/narrating a video series featuring California Native Plants at the Gardens. He especially enjoys providing tours to students with limited previous exposure to outdoor environments.
George also participates as a volunteer angler in the California Collaborative Fisheries Research Program, a research effort involving several California universities to monitor fish populations and determine the effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas.
George graduated from UC Irvine with a degree in Social Ecology with coursework primarily in Environmental Analysis and Public Policy.
Jordan Garcia - Secretary
“I am an Inland Empire local who enjoys hiking and photography as a means of practicing conservation and stewardship. I have a B.S. in Sustainability Studies at University of California, Riverside, where I also led recreational outdoor trips for students and the public for 3 years. After graduating in 2019, I served with the California Conservation Corps’ and AmeriCorps’ Watershed Stewards Program at the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, where I helped conduct hydrologic surveys of many Northern California tributaries. Since my service term ended in 2020, I began working for Confluence Environmental Field Services as a sampling technician. I currently monitor and sample groundwater across California, helping clients manage sampling projects and collecting accurate data to inform clients of changing physical conditions. I came to Rivers and Lands Conservancy as a volunteer in 2018, and have since been picking up trash at the Delhi Sand Dunes , and planting//watering oaks at the Cienega Canyon Preserve.” – Jordan
Alex Gann
Alex Gann retired as Deputy County Executive Officer for the County of Riverside in December 2019 after serving in a variety of capacities during a 31 year career.
Alex’s work included land use planning, solid waste/recycling coordination, stormwater management coordination, grant writing, legislative coordination, budget oversight and fiscal administration. Since retiring Alex has enjoyed spending time with his wife and two daughters, hiking and biking, landscaping and gardening, and studying guitar.
Anthony Budicin
Anthony Budicin, a City of Riverside native for 33 years, has built a career in environmental and regulatory compliance. Currently serving as the Director of Environmental and Regulatory Compliance at Eastern Municipal Water District. With extensive experience managing compliance programs and interfacing with regulatory agencies, Anthony has a proven track record of fostering collaboration and driving process improvements. Beyond his professional accomplishments, he enjoys spending time with his family and is an avid mountain biker and fishing enthusiast, finding joy and balance in the great outdoors.
Dusty Williams
Civil Engineer, retired
Dusty recently retired as the General Manager-Chief Engineer of the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, a position he held for the last 13 years of his 41-year career with the District. Dusty holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Cal Poly, Pomona and is a licensed Civil Engineer in California. In addition to his position on the Board of the RLC, he is also a Board member and the current Chair of the United Way of the Inland Valleys. Further he serves on the Board of the Riverside County Parks Foundation, sits on the Cal Baptist University Civil Engineering Industry Advisory Council and is a volunteer docent for San Bernardino County Public Works Department.
Jack Easton
For over 35 years, Jack Easton worked throughout inland southern California as a biologist, environmental consultant, and land trust staff member. From 1992 until 2022 he served in various capacities at Rivers & Lands Conservancy including volunteer, Board member, Stewardship Director, and Executive Director. Over the course of his career, Jack has done field biology surveys, analyzed impacts of development projects, processed permits for environmental compliance, evaluated prospective conservation properties, managed lands to improve conservation values, and overseen all phases of land trust operations. He has a B.S. degree in Forestry from Humboldt State University. Jack retired in 2022 and is an avid hiker, bird watcher, and gardener. He is gratified to be a part of RLC and is particularly interested in land conservation in the context of regional land-use planning and in outdoor education for all generations.
Jane Block - Director Emerita
Community and Environmental Activist
Mrs. Block, a member of the RLC Board since 1989, was one of the organizers of groups that provided the citizen impetus to preserve natural areas including: The Box Springs Mountain Park, Sycamore Canyon Park, and, as one of the founders of the group Preserve Our Plateau, the addition in 1991 of 3800 acres to The Santa Rosa Plateau Preserve. She also was actively involved in the establishment of the County of Riverside’s Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan. In 1995 Jane purchased property in downtown Riverside on Mission Inn Ave and created a non-profit center to house environmental groups including RLC.
Karin Watts-Bazan
Assistant County Counsel for County of Riverside (retired)
Karin Watts-Bazan joined the Office of County Counsel in April of 1988 as a Deputy County Counsel and retired in March 2018 after serving 30 years. For most of her career, Karin has practiced land use and environmental law with particular emphasis on federal and state Endangered Species Act compliance. She has provided legal advice and assistance in the development and implementation of several Habitat Conservation Plans including the Stephens’ kangaroo rat Habitat Conservation Plan, the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan, and the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan
Michele McKinney
Michele returned to her public service roots in late 2022, joining the Customer Engagement team at Riverside Public Utilities. Her expertise is in community engagement, relationship-building, marketing and water use efficiency. She spent 16 years with a regional water agency, as well as the early portion of her career at The Press-Enterprise. Michele has numerous affiliations with groups such as the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, Association of California Water Agencies and the California Special Districts Association.
Michele is an avid adventurer, hiking, biking, kayaking and geocaching with her wife. She is Mom to two grown children and recently became a Grandmom.
Miguel Cruz
Miguel Cruz is an Environmental and Indigenous Cultural Educator whose work has spanned across California and has National and International reach. He grew up in Rancho Cucamonga where he currently supports community farming, composting, and native plant efforts, as well as expeditions to National Parks. Miguel holds an Associates in Social and Behavioral Sciences, and is trained in the BEETLES educational framework and permaculture. He aims to highlight the importance of centering Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Indigenous perspectives in the environmental industry.
Mike Gardner
Mike Gardner serves as a Director of the Western Municipal Water District representing Division 1 and has held this position since 2020. Mike serves on the board of the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA) and the Chino Basin Watermaster (CBWM). He was a Governor’s appointee to the State Seismic Safety Commission from 2010 through 2021 and served as chair of the Commission twice. Previously Mike served as the City of Riverside City Councilmember for Ward 1 from 2007 through 2019. While on the city council Mike served as Chair of the Redevelopment Agency and was a member of the Development, Utility Services and Land Use, Governmental Affairs and Mayor’s Nominating and Screening Committees.
Mike worked for Southern California Edison for 23 years beginning as an archaeologist and moving through positions in regulatory affairs, governmental affairs, public affairs, and customer service.
Mike has a Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology and Geography from the University of California Riverside and completed the coursework for the Ph.D. in Anthropology, also at UCR. Mike has authored 17 professional papers in archaeology and cultural resource management.
Robert Cullen
Robert “Bob” Cullen retired in 2022 as Assistant Chief Engineer of the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. He is a registered Civil Engineer, a graduate of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with an Environmental Emphasis. During his 36-year career, Bob worked throughout the Flood Control District gaining experience in long range planning, land-use, stormwater quality, project design, construction project management, budgeting and public agency administration. Bob’s love of the outdoors and years working with developers ignited a heightened awareness of the long-term consequences and opportunities created by land-use decisions.
Sam Roberts
Originally from Santa Cruz, California, Samuel Roberts moved to Riverside in 2016 to pursue his Bachelor’s in Public Policy. Before and after attending UCR, Samuel Roberts worked for the California State Parks as an Interpreter. Following his graduation in 2020, Sam moved to Los Angeles to attain his Master’s of Public Policy from USC’s Price School. While at USC, Samuel co-founded the mutual aid organization “San Bernardino for Rapid Recovery”, which helped to distribute COVID-response materials. After graduating USC, Sam worked as a Public Communications Officer for the San Diego Association of Governments. Now, Sam works for District 1 County Supervisor Jose Medina as a Legislative Analyst and serves as a Mentor for the UCR School of Public Policy.
Sheri Harris
Past Directors
*Served as Officer
Andy Bodewin
Ann Brady
Beth Martinez
Beverly Wingate*
Bill Judge
Bob Hewitt
Bob Nelson*
Bob Ryan
Bob Shipley
Brian Moore*
Carole Bell
Cecilia Griego
Dallas Holmes
Dan Clark
Dan Silver
Diana Ruiz
Dwight Tate
Eileen Ashwal*
Eric Johnson
Fortino Morales III
Frank Heyming*
Gary Strickland*
Greg Ballmer*
Harald Schraer
Jack Easton*
Jeff Beehler*
Jenny Cleary
Jerry Jolliffe
Jim Davis
Jim Dudek*
Joan Patton
Kelly Alhadeff-Black
Kevin Wolf*
Kim Davidson-Morgan
Kim Hammond
Kristi Lovelady
Lewis Vanderzyl
Lynn Calvert-Hayes
Mac McQuern*
Marion Mitchell-Wilson*
Mary Lou Morales
Michael Linton
Michele Ouellette*
Nancy Stephens
Norman Ellstrand
Norton Younglove
Paul D. Jones II
Patricia Lock-Dawson
Ray Becker*
Robert Zweig*
Rodolfo Ruibal*
Rosanna Scott
Sarah Mundy
Selena Wilson
Sheila Ferguson
Stephen G. Harding*
Stephen Osborn
Steve Anderson
Tom Scott
Virginia MacDonald
Walter Parks
Rivers & Lands Conservancy is an accredited land trust under the nationwide accreditation program of the Land Trust Alliance. Accreditation is a mark of distinction and is awarded to land trusts that meet the highest national standards for excellence and conservation permanence. Accreditation provides assurance to our partners that they can invest in us.
“Like all members of the land trust community, Rivers & Lands Conservancy shoulders a profound responsibility – to steward our natural lands in perpetuity. Accreditation has strengthened our organization and provided a pathway to our sustainability.”
FINANCIALS & ACCOUNTABILITY
We are grateful to our many supporters and financial reports give us the opportunity demonstrate our fiscal responsibility. Rivers & Lands Conservancy’s financial records are audited annually by an outside accounting firm to ensure our financial statements are fairly represented and in conformity with accounting principals.
Our most recent 990 filings are available below.
2023 IRS Form 990 (2023-2024 Fiscal Year)
2022 IRS Form (2022-2023 Fiscal Year)
2021 IRS Form 990 (2021-202 Fiscal Year)
Our most recent Audited Financials are available below.
2023 Audited Financials (2023-2024 Fiscal Year)
2022 Audited Financials (2022-2023 Fiscal Year)
2021 Audited Financials (2021-2022 Fiscal Year)