The UC Environmental Stewards Program Advisory Committee (PAC) is appointed by the UC ANR Vice President to advise UC Environmental Stewards leaders and enhance our statewide impact. The PAC members contribute to strategic and implementation planning. Specifically, the Committee helps evaluate progress toward goals, align priorities to better meet clientele needs, and identify strategic partnership and funding opportunities. The members of the PAC are selected based on their unique knowledge and experience within UCANR and the broader UC System.
UC Environmental Stewards Program Advisory Committee 2024-2025
Cameron Barrows is an Associate Research Ecologist with UC Riverside coordinating the Center for Conservation Biology's Desert Studies Initiative. The initiative develops risk assessments and implements regional conservation programs for desert flora, fauna and natural communities and enhances secondary level science education in surrounding schools.
Jeffrey Clary the Senior Director of Climate Strategies at the Foundation for California Community Colleges (FoundationCCC). In this role, Jeffrey guides FoundationCCC’s new climate-focused initiative, leveraging institutional strengths in workforce development and community impact to tackle climate challenges. He fosters partnerships across agencies, industries, tribal communities, and grassroots organizations, to address environmental justice, sustainability, and climate adaptation.
Jairo Diaz is the Director of UC ANR Desert Research & Extension Center where he oversees 30 research projects and specializes in water resources and desert agriculture. The Desert Research & Extension Center is committed to agricultural research and education in the Imperial Valley desert and specialize in vegetable crops, alfalfa, desert cattle feeding, irrigation and drainage management, and pest management.
Andrew Gordon is the Manager of Corpsmember Development Programs at California Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC, a department within the California Natural Resources Agency, program provides people 18–25 years old a year of paid service to the State of California. During their year of service, Corpsmembers work on environmental projects and respond to natural and man-made disasters.
Rebecca Hernandez, the former director of UC Santa Cruz’s American Indian Resource Center (AIRC), is now UC Santa Cruz’s first community archivist. In this role, which re-envisions the university’s Regional History Project, Hernandez will focus on ensuring a broad representation of the history of Santa Cruz County. She is charged with seeking out partnerships with community organizations and leaders to support the preservation of community history, with a particular focus on reaching out to traditionally underrepresented communities.
Heather Holm is the Interpretive Planning and Program Section Manager for California Department of Parks and Recreation. The California Department of Parks and Recreation provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state's extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.
Steve Monfort is the executive director of the UC Natural Reserve System. The Natural Reserve System is a University-wide program. Each of its reserves is managed by one of the nine general UC campuses. The Natural Reserve System aims to contribute to the understanding and wise stewardship of the Earth and its natural systems by supporting university-level teaching, research, and public service at protected natural areas throughout California.
Beatriz Nobua-Behrmann is an Urban Forestry and Natural Resources Advisor at the South Coast Research and Extension Center (REC). South Coast REC serves as a regional living laboratory for University of California scientists to conduct agricultural and natural resources management research and extend research-based information to a wide spectrum of audiences.
Samuel Sandoval Solis is an Assistant Professor and Cooperative Extension Specialist in the Department of Land, Air and Water Resources - UC Davis. His expertise is in water resources planning and management. During decision making processes, Samuel is the person working between the scientists, engineers, environmentalists, system operators and decision makers; he integrates ideas into policies and quantifies benefits and drawbacks.
Annemiek Schilder is the Director of the Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center (REC). The Hansen Agricultural REC provides land, labor, equipment, and facilities to researchers for small to medium-sized plot projects that are relevant to Ventura County agricultural issues.
Joana Tavares-Reager is the Director of the California Center for Climate Change Education at West Los Angeles College. The California Center for Climate Change Education is a first-of-its-kind, forward-looking resource that will help prepare students for good-paying, fulfilling careers in the clean energy and climate technology industries. The Center is accessible to students and staff from all nine Los Angeles Community College District campuses.
