Board of Directors
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Richard Johnson, Interim Treasurer
As a 16-year resident of the Trinidad area, Richard enjoys spending time on the local beaches and trails. When not volunteering for TCLT, Richard and his wife Cindy enjoy traveling, and spending time with their local family and friends. Richard also volunteers for other non-profit organizations and agencies. In his spare time, Richard enjoys music and being outdoors as much as possible. “One of the great opportunities of my time in Trinidad has been working with TCLT. Helping to preserve and maintain this incredibly beautiful area has been a highlight of my experience here. I lived most of my adult life along the Southern California coast, and when the opportunity arose to leave the aerospace industry, the pristine coastline of the Trinidad area was the logical choice.” |
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Don Allan, Secretary
Don has lived in the Trinidad area since 1983, drawn here by the beauty of the coast line, the climate, the quaint charm of the town, and the many opportunities for outdoor adventures. His interests include backpacking, kayaking, photography, playing music, and walking from his house to the many amazing beaches. "I spent most of my career working in salmon restoration and trail building and the Trinidad coast line has been the perfect place for me to pursue my interests in trail building and studying natural processes. I have been a board member of the Trinidad Coastal Land Trust since 2004 and have been impressed by the caliber of our holdings, board members, volunteers, and more recently our paid staff. I embrace the TCLT mission and enjoy talking to the public about our mission and our projects, past and present." |
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Jenny Hutchinson
Jenny Hutchinson has been a board member since 2014 and is currently employed as a Botanist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Arcata and formerly worked for the California Department of Transportation and Green Diamond Resource Company. A two-time graduate of Humboldt State University, Jenny holds degrees in Wildlife Management and Biology and also volunteers with the North Coast Chapter of the California Native Plant Society and Companion Animal Foundation. When she is not volunteering, Jenny enjoys spending time with her pets, gardening, hiking, reading, and spreading enthusiasm for native plants. "My family instilled in me a deep connection to the natural world and my uncle, in particular, inspired me to actively participate in land conservation at the local level. TCLT was a natural fit and the active role that this board shares routinely affirms my personal drive to give back to the community and champion protection of our awe-inspiring coastline." |
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Matthew Marshall, Board Chair
Matthew is the Executive Director of the Redwood Coast Energy Authority, a joint powers agency of Humboldt County local governments dedicated to implementing sustainable energy initiatives in the region. A graduate of Humboldt State University, Matthew serves on the board of directors of several local non-profits, including the Trinidad Museum Society, the Redwood Parks Conservancy, the Eureka Chamber of Commerce, and the Humboldt Folklife Society. He plays the bagpipes with the Humboldt Highlanders Pipe Band and is an Assistant Chief of the Westhaven Volunteer Fire Department. |
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Sherri Provolt
Sherry is a lifelong resident of Trinidad where she still resides with her children and grandchildren. She has thirty years of experience working in rural communities with a focus on education and health. She attended Humboldt State University through the Indian Teacher Education and Personnel Program (ITEPP) obtaining a Master of Arts Degree in Education and a California Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential. She currently works at Humboldt State University in the Early Outreach Program Department providing college and career guidance to high school students. Sherri is also a member of the Yurok Tribe and has served as the Orick Council member since 2018. As a Council member, she has worked closely with State and National Parks protecting cultural sites and assisting with the development of interpretative centers. She is a gatherer, traditional dress maker, and loves to spend time hiking and traveling. |
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Aiko Michot
Aiko first became involved with TCLT by attending guided walks and participating in the Seabird Community Science Program. These experiences have really opened her eyes to the importance of protecting public access and the unique biodiversity found on the Trinidad coastline. Aiko also serves as a science high school teacher and mindfulness instructor. She is passionate about environmental activism and works enthusiastically with students in developing their voices to advocate for a more sustainable future. During her summers, she enjoys volunteering as a research assistant supporting biologists in the field. |
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Rachael Smith
Rachael spent her childhood running into cold waves, exploring tide pools, and playing on the beach which informed a lifelong love and reverence for the northern CA coast. She has spent her career facilitating human connection with nature as a scuba diving instructor, wilderness guide, and overseas educator. She believes our collective journey towards a more peaceful, balanced future involves developing respectful, reciprocal relationships with nature. She enjoys working with teenagers, teaching yoga, and going on outdoor adventures. |
Staff
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Annalisa Rush | Interim Executive Director
Annalisa joined the Board of Directors and Ambassador program in 2023. She is currently serving as the Interim Director. She has a B.A. from Cal Poly Humboldt in Spanish Language & Culture with an emphasis in ethnobotany. Her experience includes environmental education, sustainable agriculture, Nature Conservancy riparian surveys and watershed protections, ethnobotanical research, marine debris monitoring, water safety education, ocean and lagoon tour guiding, non-profit management and leadership. Annalisa also is an open-water swimmer and lifeguard, as well as a surf and paddleboard coach. Raised in the Santa Cruz hills, she has lived in Humboldt and Trinidad for several decades. |
Michelle Pualani Kunst | Project Manager
Michelle graduated from Humboldt State University with a degree in Environmental Science and Management, and an emphasis in Interpretation and Education. In addition to working for the Land Trust, she's spent several seasons teaching children and adults how to kayak and introducing them to coastal ecosystems, she has worked as a naturalist in Alaska, connecting people to natural coastal communities, and has worked in a variety of educational settings in the Humboldt Bay area.
Michelle graduated from Humboldt State University with a degree in Environmental Science and Management, and an emphasis in Interpretation and Education. In addition to working for the Land Trust, she's spent several seasons teaching children and adults how to kayak and introducing them to coastal ecosystems, she has worked as a naturalist in Alaska, connecting people to natural coastal communities, and has worked in a variety of educational settings in the Humboldt Bay area.
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Carol Vander Meer | Special Projects Manager
Carol has an BA and MS in biology and a broad range of experiences working as a naturalist and in nonprofit management. Her experience includes working as a park ranger at Redwood National Park, Education Director at the HSU Natural History museum, Executive Director of the Friends of the Dunes from 2004 to 2015 and a nonprofit consultant focused on board development, strategic planning and fundraising. Carol lives in Manila along the shores of Humboldt Bay with her husband Steven. When the tide is high, they enjoy paddling the waters of the bay and up into the Mad River Slough. |
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Ben Morehead | Senior Project Manager
Ben graduated from Humboldt State University in 1996, then again in 1999 with his Masters, fell in love with the landscapes here, and never left. He has worked in the non-profit land trust conservation field for over 20 years and has successfully managed conservation easement and acquisition projects on wild and working landscapes from 5 acres to 8,000 acres. Ben served as TCLT’s Executive Director from 2016 to 2020 and was a volunteer board member for ten years prior. Ben lives in Trinidad with his wife Ananda and three kids. He enjoys hiking, surfing, gardening and family time. |
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Zoe Ziegler | Coastal Stewardship Coordinator
Zoe grew up in Humboldt and along the Trinidad Coast and is honored to give back to the place that helped shape her stewardship ethic and love for the outdoors. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in Environmental Biology and is now pursuing her career in sustainable management of natural and working lands. Since leaving home, she has worked on multiple organic farms and in environmental education, and is gaining experience in fisheries research and management. Now, she brings her passion for uniting communities and nature back to her work with the Trinidad Coastal Land Trust through stewardship of land trust properties, volunteer coordination, and public engagement. When she is not in Trinidad, she is working at DeepSeeded Community Farm or playing in the oceans, forests, and rivers of Northern Humboldt. |
