December 2022 Conservancy Newsletter

The Conservancy congratulates Sue Ewbank on her retirement following years of outstanding service to the Conservancy and the people of the Lake Tahoe Basin and the State of California. As a critical member of the Conservancy fiscal team, Sue supported the Conservancy’s programs and operations through her guidance on contracting, grants, and procurement. Sue’s work resulted in the Conservancy receiving an award from the State of California for increasing our work with small businesses and disabled veteran business enterprises. She made important and lasting contributions to the agency’s work to advance racial equity and better serve all Californians, regardless of race. Sue originally joined the Conservancy in 2007 to work at our office’s front desk. Her coworkers have appreciated Sue for her humor, her problem-solving support, and her commitment to equity. We all wish her the best in her retirement.

The Conservancy says goodbye to Forest Schafer, who departs for a new position with the California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force. Forest most recently served as Director of the Conservancy’s Natural Resources Division, overseeing the watershed, forestry, and climate and biodiversity programs. Forest joined the Conservancy staff in 2017 as Forest Science and Management Coordinator. Prior to joining the Conservancy, Forest spent nine years serving with the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District. We wish him the best in his new role.

Whitney Brennan has accepted the position as the Conservancy’s new Landscape Resilience Supervisor. In her new role, Whitney will oversee the Landscape Resilience Program’s broad portfolio of forestry and resilience initiatives, as well as efforts to integrate biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation throughout the Conservancy’s work. Whitney joined the Conservancy staff in 2014. She worked as wildlife biologist and led the Conservancy’s climate program. Prior to joining the Conservancy, Whitney had most recently served as a Biologist/Associate Environmental Planner for Caltrans. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Kenyon College and her doctorate in animal behavior from the University of California, Davis.

Stuart Roll is now serving as the Conservancy’s Acting Director of the Natural Resources Division. In his new role, Stuart will oversee the Conservancy’s watershed, recreation, community forestry, landscape resilience, and climate change programs. Stuart joined the Conservancy’s team in 2002, working on the forestry crew organized jointly with the Tahoe RCD. Prior to his new role, he had been supervising the Conservancy’s watershed and recreation programs since 2012. Stuart oversaw such efforts as the Blackwood Creek Restoration Project, the Dennis T. Machida Memorial Greenway, and overall strategy for Upper Truckee River Watershed restoration. Stuart earned his Bachelor of Science degree in geological sciences from Brown University.

Scott Carroll is now serving as the Conservancy’s Acting Watershed Program Supervisor. In his new role, Scott will oversee the Conservancy’s work to restore watersheds in the Lake Tahoe Basin and expand equitable access. Scott has been with the Conservancy since 2005, and he has led many of the agency’s large-scale wetland and stream projects in that time, including the recently completed Upper Truckee Marsh Restoration, Lake Forest Creek Restoration Project, and the Upper Truckee River Airport Reach Restoration. Scott earned his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Boston College and a Master of Science degree in watershed management from Humboldt State University.