Ryan Bellanca
Program Manager & Head Grounds Keeper, co-founder
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"I would like to believe I am the instigater in all this madness. A man with many ideas and little follow through. My role at EarthAccess is one of leadership and the behind scenes glue. I will be writing grants, attending meetings, leading group classes and activities, and overseeing property maintenance and facility management"
Ryan graduated from Humboldt State University in 2008 with a B.S. in Forestry and has worked throughout the state as a Wildfire Prevention Consultant and Project Manager. He has also worked as a Forestry Education program coordinator for wildfire safety and watershed management. Ryan is extensively trained, educated, and professionally experienced fire suppression, prevention, and wildland safety. In addition to Ryan's experience in the field, he is also certified grant writer specializing in forestry health and restoration.
Ryan graduated from Humboldt State University in 2008 with a B.S. in Forestry and has worked throughout the state as a Wildfire Prevention Consultant and Project Manager. He has also worked as a Forestry Education program coordinator for wildfire safety and watershed management. Ryan is extensively trained, educated, and professionally experienced fire suppression, prevention, and wildland safety. In addition to Ryan's experience in the field, he is also certified grant writer specializing in forestry health and restoration.
Karina Silvas-Bellanca
Program Manager & Educational Specialist, co-founder
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Karina attended Humboldt State University where she received a degree in Forestry emphasizing wildland fire management. She became a wildland firefighter for the Mendocino National Forest, at which time she felt the desire to educate landowners about fire prevention and conservation. Karina began to explore options of the non-profit as she was finishing her schooling at Humboldt State and started working with the Sierra Forest Legacy in June 2008.
As an employee of Sierra Forest Legacy has given Karina the opportunity to pursue her desire for working with the community and to provide a dialog that communities feel comfortable and capable to learn and make their community a safer place.
In her spare time she volunteers with the Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council. Karina has been with the council for one year and is currently the chair. She volunteers with the Scotch Broom Challenge, a program designed to get the community involved with awareness on flammable vegetation, invasive species, and biodiversity in Placer County. Additionally, Karina is volunteering with local farmers in Placer County to gain valuable knowledge on sustainable organic farming that can be applied to the Resource Education Centers programs.
As an employee of Sierra Forest Legacy has given Karina the opportunity to pursue her desire for working with the community and to provide a dialog that communities feel comfortable and capable to learn and make their community a safer place.
In her spare time she volunteers with the Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council. Karina has been with the council for one year and is currently the chair. She volunteers with the Scotch Broom Challenge, a program designed to get the community involved with awareness on flammable vegetation, invasive species, and biodiversity in Placer County. Additionally, Karina is volunteering with local farmers in Placer County to gain valuable knowledge on sustainable organic farming that can be applied to the Resource Education Centers programs.
Alexis Ollar
Sustainable Agricultural Manager & Educational Specialist
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Alexis Ollar has a B.S. in Environmental Science from Hawaii Pacific University. She was previously the Director of Trail Use for the Tahoe Rim Trail Associations for 3 1/2 years, where she wrote and administered grants, coordinated and guided backpacking programs, created and taught flora and fauna interpretive hikes for youth and adults, and led volunteer trail crew trainings and restoration projects. She then worked as a Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer for 2 years traveling and teaching environmental ethics and stewardship programs as a LNT Master Educator.
Alexis came to Humboldt to pursue her masters at Humboldt State University in the Environment and Community M.A.S.S. program, as well as a certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS-Science) which she will be finishing in 2011. In her off time she enjoys rock climbing, hiking, yoga, surfing, mountain biking, and being outside with her dogs Kai & Bodhi.
Alexis came to Humboldt to pursue her masters at Humboldt State University in the Environment and Community M.A.S.S. program, as well as a certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS-Science) which she will be finishing in 2011. In her off time she enjoys rock climbing, hiking, yoga, surfing, mountain biking, and being outside with her dogs Kai & Bodhi.
Topher Marlott
Eco-tourism Director & Educational Specialist
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Topher brings over 12 years of outdoor, experiential, and environmental program experience to NCAC. With a degree and background in management, Topher has stepped into the role of Program Director. Topher attended university at Hartwick College in New York where he studied Geology and Management. His passion for outdoor education sparked when he became involved with the Challenge Education Program. He had the good fortune to work and learn from Sarah Root the director of the program. Blessed with a solid background in team building, group leadership, and high and low ropes course management, Topher applied his skills with the Adirondack Mountain Club and Nature Conservancy educating the public about trail maintenance, and environmental stewardship.
Topher has an extensive outdoor background including experiential education, ropes courses management, building, and maintenance, resource conservation, backcountry guiding, rock climbing, paddling, mountain biking, organizing backpacking programs & camps, and two years as a Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer. Topher is a Leave No Trace Master Educator.
Topher has an extensive outdoor background including experiential education, ropes courses management, building, and maintenance, resource conservation, backcountry guiding, rock climbing, paddling, mountain biking, organizing backpacking programs & camps, and two years as a Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer. Topher is a Leave No Trace Master Educator.
Emily Ewins
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Emily graduated from Humboldt State University in 2008 with a BA in International Cultural Studies and a BA in French. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Administration at the Monterey Institute of International studies, where has recently completed a semester dedicated to Social Change organizations: Organizational Sustainability of SCOs, Tools for SCO's, and Business Modeling ... for SCO's. Needless to say, this opportunity to work with EarthAccess couldn't have come at a better time. She is currently volunteering with the Monterey Institute Sustainability Team, which is coordinating the zero-waste management project at the upcoming Sustainable Brands Conference in June 2011.
I wholeheartedly believe that people have the power to significantly reduce their ecological footprint with a minimal investment of time, education, and a willingness to make minor adjustments to lifestyle choices. I envision EarthAccess as a fun way to bring people together to better understand the environment in which they live and how they play a vital role in that ecosystem.
I wholeheartedly believe that people have the power to significantly reduce their ecological footprint with a minimal investment of time, education, and a willingness to make minor adjustments to lifestyle choices. I envision EarthAccess as a fun way to bring people together to better understand the environment in which they live and how they play a vital role in that ecosystem.