April 2023 Conservancy Newsletter

Connie Gallippi joins the Conservancy as the Director of the Natural Resources Division. In this role, she will manage the Watershed, Landscape Resilience, and Community Forestry programs in addition to working with federal, tribal, state, and local partners. Connie brings 23 years of natural resources, policy, funding, and nonprofit management to the Conservancy. She is a leader in climate-related policy and legislation, has collaborated with local governments on regreening programs, and has managed environmental planning and impact analyses. Her work has included developing and implementing multi-million-dollar programs in public funding for sustainable development, urban greening, climate change, and water. Before joining the Conservancy, Connie founded and managed a global nonprofit cryptocurrency philanthropy platform. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry and Natural Resources Management from Virginia Tech.

Nick Meyer is now serving as the Conservancy’s Acting Land Management Program Supervisor. Nick oversees the Conservancy’s work to manage its nearly 4,700 properties, which total about 6,500 acres. Land Management staff and crews implement projects on Conservancy lands to restore resilience, protect water quality, provide public access, maintain facilities, improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk, and resolve encroachments. Nick has been with the Conservancy Land Management Program since 2012. Before joining the Conservancy staff, he helped lead field crews with the Tahoe RCD and served as the Upper Truckee Marsh Land Steward. Nick earned his bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Northern Arizona University.

Chris Mertens has accepted the role of the Conservancy’s Recreation and Public Access Program Supervisor. The Recreation and Public Access Program provides opportunities on Conservancy lands for all people to experience Lake Tahoe’s beaches, rivers, wildlife, and mountains. The Conservancy also supports Basin partners in their efforts to expand recreational access at Tahoe. Chris rejoined the Conservancy staff in 2020 as Senior Policy Analyst and North Lake Tahoe Liaison. From 2018 to 2020, Chris served as the Government Affairs Director at Sierra Business Council, and before that he had served in an earlier role at the Conservancy. He enjoys spending time outside with his family and dog in all seasons and is a board member on the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team. Chris studied political science at the University of California, Davis.

The Conservancy says goodbye to Erica Uhor, who has departed for a new position with CAL FIRE. Erica joined the Conservancy Land Management Program in 2020 as an Environmental Planner. She designed and implemented more than 50 restoration projects on the Conservancy’s open space lots. These projects included work to stabilize Conservancy lands affected by the 2021 Caldor Fire, and removing asphalt and defunct buildings from environmentally sensitive lands. In addition to her Land Management accomplishments, Erica made important contributions to the Conservancy’s work to address racial equity in its policies, procedures, and operations.

The Conservancy thanks Haley Lazar for three years of work as a Lot Inspector and Land Steward. Working through the Tahoe RCD, Haley supported the Conservancy’s Land Management team as well as other programs. She played a vital role in the Upper Truckee Marsh Restoration Project, conducting important monitoring throughout the project. Earlier, Haley had served as a Student Assistant with the Conservancy. She is transitioning to a new role as an Aquatic Invasive Species Outreach Specialist for Tahoe RCD.