Land Trust Staff
Teresa Corwin - Executive Director, Land Trust of Santa Cruz County
As a child, Terry enjoyed family camping trips to Big Basin and Henry Cowell’s State Parks. These experiences developed in her a deep love of the natural lands of Santa Cruz County. After becoming a CPA, Terry spent most of her business career in corporate finance. Prior to her executive finance roles in technology start-ups, Terry was in charge of taxation, treasury and SEC reporting for Plantronics. She became Executive Director of the Land Trust in 2005. Since that time the Land Trust has protected 10,442 acres of high conservation value land in Santa Cruz County and raised $38 million toward land protection.
Terry brings strong business credentials, a passion for land conservation and a “can-do” attitude to her work at the Land Trust.
Stephen Slade – Deputy Director
Stephen grew up in Virginia and on a dairy in the Central Valley and moved to Santa Cruz in 1980. He has two daughters who have grown up in Santa Cruz and he tells them no matter where they go as adults, it won't be as good as where they grew up. He's been a walker and hiker since he was a child and these days takes frequent walks on Moore Creek Preserve which is near his house. He saw his first Mountain Lion there just before joining the Land Trust in August 2006. He brings over twenty years of development and communications experience to the Land Trust, including recent work for public radio station KUSP in Santa Cruz and the Elkhorn Slough Foundation in Moss Landing.
Lisa Larson — Finance & Administrative Director
Lisa brings over 30 years financial experience to the Land Trust, including over 17 years as Office Manager/Accountant for Chappellet Winery in the Napa Valley. Upon moving to Aptos in 1996 she was the controller for a rose nursery and for the past 5 years she served as the Fiscal Officer for the Seniors Council, a local non-profit, and consulted financially for other non-profits. Her passion for the land is rooted in her childhood when she spent summers and weekends hiking, camping and fishing with her family.
Lynn Overtree – Stewardship Manager
Lynn has had a life-long love of nature. Her first conservation work was with wolves during high school. She received her bachelor’s degree in zoology from Humboldt State University in 1987 and initially worked on wildlife research projects, including elk, endangered birds, western pond turtles and desert tortoises.
In 1990, she began working in wildland management as a riparian restoration intern on The Nature Conservancy’s Kern River Preserve. When the preserve transferred ownership in late 1997, she came to Monterey Bay to manage the 5,000-acre Palo Corona Ranch for a private individual. She spent 11 years managing this and additional lands for The Big Sur Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy and the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District.
For the past twenty years Lynn has focused on wildland management. She enjoys bringing together the various elements that create a healthy landscape - research, surveys, grazing, invasive species control, repair and maintenance, neighbor relations and visitation. The Land Trust offers wonderful opportunities to continue this work.
Dan Medeiros – Projects Director
In his previous career as a Merchant Marine Officer, Dan had the option of living anywhere in the world and chose Santa Cruz County for its perfect combination of rugged coastline and picturesque mountains. Dan’s connection to the outdoors comes from a childhood spent sailing and climbing in Coastal New England. Prior to joining the Land Trust in 2008, Dan was the Due Diligence Manager of a real estate investment firm.
Calah Pasley – Development and Outreach Manager
Calah grew up amongst the orchards of apricots and walnuts in Turlock, CA, and spent her summers in the Sierras—one of her favorite places to climb and backpack still. Since high school Calah has been involved in restoration work, outreach and education, and event planning—all around protecting the land she loves so much. In 2004 she enrolled at UC Santa Cruz, where she irrevocably fell for the redwoods and coastline. Upon graduating with a degree in Environmental Studies in March of 2009, Calah began work at the Land Trust. She is proud to take part in a mission that protects this special place she calls home.
Andre Lafleur - Major Gifts Officer
Prior to joining the Land Trust in June 2004, Andre had 13 years of nonprofit development experience with Peninsula Open Space Trust, San Francisco Opera, and the California League of Conservation Voters. His love of the land and interest in conservation are rooted in the writing of Wallace Stegner and a childhood spent in the rugged American west. He lives in Bonny Doon, where he designed and built a solar-powered house built from recycled materials and wood milled on the site.
Tanya Baxter - Land Steward
Tanya found her passion for botany in the open spaces of Santa Cruz as a student at UCSC, where she wrote her thesis on the Robust Spineflower at Sunset State Beach. She has since worked in native plant restoration, rare plant monitoring, and fire ecology throughout California while working for the National Park Service and U.S. Geological Survey. Tanya's most favorite flower is Eriogonum (buckwheat) for its diversity throughout the state. Her most recent opportunity involved getting a chance to be a natural and cultural resource advisor to wild land fires for Yosemite National Park. A lover of the coast and an avid sea kayaker, Tanya brings experience in invasive species and volunteer management to the Land Trust.
Jeff Helmer - Byrne Forest Caretaker
Jeff is a native Santa Cruzan, and has been a member of the Land Trust staff almost 20 years. His dedication and hard work keep the trails at the Byrne Forest and Antonelli Pond accessible and beautiful. Those who have explored the Forest with Jeff as their guide invariably remark on his devotion to the land.
Barry Baker – Conservation Easement Steward
Barry was born and raised in Santa Cruz County, attending local public schools from elementary through college, for which he attended the University of California, Santa Cruz. He graduated UCSC with a major in Environmental Studies, primarily focused in environmental policy and resource conservation. While interning at the Natural Resources Conservation Service Barry completed his thesis, which consisted of a complete Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) contract for a local organic farmer. Having grown up on the coast and as an avid surfer, Barry has always had an appreciation of the ocean and the natural beauty of Santa Cruz County. Barry combines his love and knowledge of the local environment in his work at the Land Trust.
Maddie Tyler – Executive Assistant
Maddie grew up in a family that encouraged her to stay active. Whether it was joining a sports team, going for a bike ride or taking a hike, she always loved to be outdoors. Outdoor activities shaped her everyday life, making clear the importance of preserving our open space for all to enjoy. Maddie attended college at the University of San Francisco, where she obtained a degree in Business Management in 2009. After experiencing city life for four years, her heart longed to be back in Santa Cruz. She is excited to be able to apply her skills and personal values in work that benefits the environment and her local community.
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