• Heather Bernikoff

    Pollinator & Wildlife Project Manager/Tribal Liaison

    Heather joined CARCD in March 2024. She received a BA in Psychology with a Pre-med emphasis from Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt) and an MS in Health Education with a community health emphasis from the University of Wyoming, Laramie. Heather is passionate about the nexus of the environment and healthcare, especially clean air and water for all living things. Heather has had a career in healthcare, philanthropy and nonprofit support. She aided Mariposa County Health and Human Services and the Mariposa County Unified School District in designing and securing funding for a school-based mobile health clinic, designed and led the well water education program for the Integrated Regional Watershed Management Outreach and Education Committee, and in 2022, partnered with the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation and Mariposa Resource Conservation District in securing a 5-year grant for their pollinator habitat program. In addition to her professional career, Heather has served as Chair of the Humboldt State University Advancement Foundation Board, as a grant reviewer for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, as Mariposa County District 3 Planning Commissioner, and as one of three gubernatorial appointees to the Sierra Nevada Conservancy Board. Heather is an enrolled member of the Yaqui Tribal Community in Southern California and provides capacity-building support to Indigenous communities. When not working, Heather is a regular volunteer for the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation, JCF Hospital Foundation, her Yaqui community and stewarding pollinator and wildlife habitat on her cattle ranch in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

  • Elena Bischak

    Statewide RCD Regional Ag and Climate Hub Coordinator and Agriculture Program Manager

    Elena joined the CARCD team in September 2023 as the Statewide RCD Regional Ag and Climate Hub Coordinator and Agriculture Program Manager. She earned her PhD in Environmental Systems from UC Merced in December 2023. Her doctoral work is centered on strategic organic waste recycling to improve carbon and nutrient cycles at the local and global scale, with a particular focus on sustainable sanitation systems. She holds a B.S. in Biology from the College of William & Mary. Elena became interested in climate-smart agriculture during her time as Peace Corps Volunteer in central Senegal. During her free time, she enjoys gardening, reading, playing tennis, and hanging out with her dogs.

  • Sophia Lemmo

    Forest Program Manager
    Before joining CARCD in 2022, Sophia worked as a consulting Registered Professional Forester (RPF) across Northern California. Her experience implementing various silvicultural prescriptions, all with the backbone of promoting forest health, provided her with a deep understanding of the challenges facing California’s forests. From the coastal redwoods to the oak woodlands and mixed conifer forests, Sophia gained insights on the diversity of successes and issues land managers encounter. Sophia holds a B.S. in Forestry and Natural Resources from UC Berkeley and an M.S. in Forestry from Cal Poly Humboldt. Both her professional and academic work focus on the mechanisms behind sustainable forest perpetuation. Passionate about supporting RCD’s forest resilience work statewide, Sophia recognizes the critical role of RCDs as frontline workers in sustaining California’s diverse forests . In her spare time, Sophia loves growing flowers, biking the North Coast, and going on runs with her dogs.

  • Ryan Reger

    Forest Program Coordinator

    Ryan joined the CARCD team in the spring of 2021 as the Forest Program Coordinator. Growing up in South Lake Tahoe among beautiful conifers and granite peaks, he developed a deep respect for the natural world and the role that communities play in it. He has a Bachelors in Geography from Humboldt State University, and he is passionate about creating a more inclusive dialogue around conservation. Prior to joining CARCD, Ryan worked as both an Environmental Services Assistant and an Interpretive Specialist for California State Parks, giving him hands-on experience in watershed and trail restoration as well as public outreach and environmental education. In his spare time, he enjoys playing music, climbing, backpacking, and practicing yoga.

  • Sierra Riker

    Forest Project Coordinator

    Sierra started with CARCD in the Fall of 2022 as a Forest Project Coordinator. They graduated in May 2021 with a B.S in Environmental Science, an emphasis in Environmental Management, and a minor in Biology. Through a term with the Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership, Sierra acquired diverse skills in watershed restoration and monitoring, post-fire restoration, and grant/program management. They are eager to support RCD’s necessary forestry programs to improve the health of California ecosystems. In their spare time you can find Sierra exploring the local trails or riding their motorcycle.

  • Mary Scheid

    Financial and Administrative Manager

    Mary joined CARCD in the Spring of 2023 as the Financial and Administrative Manager. She has a B.S. in Business/Accounting and over 16 years of accounting experience primarily in the local government sector. Mary has expertise in day-to-day accounting activities, budgeting, contract and grant monitoring, external audit, financial reporting, and leading an accounting team. She is dedicated to conservation of land, water, and wildlife in California and around the planet. She enjoys spending time hiking with her husband and dogs on the local trails in the Sierra Nevada area when she is not working.

  • Emily Smet

    Agriculture and Watershed Project Manager

    Emily Smet joined CARCD in Summer 2022. She earned a B.S. in Environmental Science from UC Davis with an emphasis in Watershed Sciences. As a college student she discovered the importance of environmental conservation, but it was as a habitat restoration intern at the Putah Creek Council that she found her passion for working with RCDs. Emily continues to support the mission of RCDs in developing cutting edge agricultural and water conservation programs. On the weekends she enjoys exploring the urban and natural landscapes California has to offer and trying to find the perfect campsite.

  • Alodie Spires

    Financial and Administrative Coordinator

    Alodie joined CARCD in November 2023 with over three decades of experience in accounting and administrative roles across various industries and specializing in nonprofit accounting. She takes pride in her methodical and organized approach to managing financial data and systems, striving to = contribute positively to the success of the organization. Whether working independently or collaboratively, she finds fulfillment in maintaining workflow momentum, tackling challenges with positivity, and seeking practical solutions to enhance operational efficiency. Outside the professional realm, Alodie finds joy in music, dance, and art. Nature serves as her sanctuary, offering moments of awe and wonder that replenish her spirit. She also enjoys exploring farmers markets, thrift stores, and spending time with friends.

  • Taylor Stubblefield

    Communications Manager

    Taylor joined the CARCD team in summer 2022 as the Communications and Outreach Coordinator. She graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a BA in Communication Studies. She primarily focused on interpersonal and small group communication. She has experience in marketing, photography, and events. In summer 2019, Taylor grew a deeper appreciation for the natural world after visiting Yosemite National Park. She has now visited several California National and State Parks where she enjoys hiking and photographing the different landscapes. Taylor hopes to inspire others to explore the great outdoors and participate in volunteer days at local parks, reserves, and recreational areas.

  • Nancy Wahl-Scheurich

    Executive Director

    Nancy joined the CARCD team in early 2020 as a Project Coordinator. She soon moved to a Project Manager role and then became the Pollinator and Wildlife Habitat Program Manager.  She served as Interim Executive Director from August to December 2022. When a new Executive Director was hired, she transitioned into a dual role as Deputy Director and Program Manager for Pollinator & Wildlife Habitat.  She was appointed as the Executive Director in November of 2023. 

    Nancy leverages her passion for sustainability and social justice and private sector project management/coordination experience – along with 10 years as an eco-entrepreneur – to get the job done. Earlier in her career, Nancy held management and executive positions in the software industry, with a focus on international business. While her children were young, she consulted and taught business courses at CSU Monterey Bay. Prior to joining CARCD, Nancy founded a company that manufactured energy efficient lighting products made in the USA from recycled e-waste plastic, and co-founded another dedicated to bringing clean, affordable electricity to un-electrified communities in Africa. She has a BS in Business Administration, a BA in French and Inter-American studies, and an MS in Marketing.  She speaks Spanish, French, and German and is studying Swahili in her spare time. Nancy is a native Californian, currently living in Santa Cruz.

  • Adrien York

    Forestry Grant Coordinator

    Adrien joined the CARCD Forestry team in January of 2024. She has a B.S. from UC Davis in Community and Regional Development. Living her whole life between the Pacific Ocean and the Sierras, she has always loved being outside and first learned of forestry as a child attending the California State Fair. Community access to and protection of land have always been great passions of hers. She developed project and grant management skills working with agricultural-based organizations in the Bay Area and is especially fond of spreadsheets. When not working for CARCD, she practices and teaches classical pilates. In her free time, she can be found on a blanket in the park reading books about elves, dragons, and other fun creatures.

  • Qi(Chi) Zhou

    Program Manager, Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

    Qi (pronounced as Chi) joined CARCD in August 2022 and will be collaborating with NRCS and local RCDs to incorporate and implement JEDI principles in their programs. Prior to joining CARCD, Qi has been collaborating with farmers, extension agencies, non-profit organizations and  government agencies on agriculture and environmental issues for over 8 years. Qi has worked as an extension specialist at the University of California Cooperative Extension for 3 years helping socially disadvantaged farmers on many federal, state and county programs. Her goal is to ensure all climate-smart agriculture programs are easily accessible to socially disadvantaged communities, and historically underserved communities will have enough resources to utilize (and benefit from) all programs they are eligible for. Qi received her B.S. degree in Horticulture Science from Hunan Agriculture University, Changsha, China and M.S. degree in Forestry Science from Huazhong Agriculture University, China. She then received her Ph.D. degree in Plant and Environmental Sciences in Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina. Qi speaks Mandarin, English, and some Cantonese, and she enjoys hiking and cooking with her kids when not working.