Interested in working for BYLT? check out our careers page to see any available job openings.
“I feel lucky that I get to work every day to protect places for people to explore and wildlife to thrive.”
Erin was raised in Cedar Falls, Iowa and upon high school graduation moved to the mountains in Colorado, a place she had fallen in love with through frequent family vacations during her childhood. Eventually she moved to Northern California and completed her Bachelor’s Degree. Erin began her career with the California Department of Fish and Game as a researcher on the rivers, she then took a position with The Nature Conservancy at Cosumnes River Preserve before being hired as a Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership (SNAP) member at Placer Land Trust in Auburn. Her passion for land conservation and access to nature drives her vision for BYLT.
Erin also serves as the President of the Sierra Cascade Land Trust Council, a network of 19 land trusts acting as a collective voice in this diverse region to support the pace, scale and permanence of land conservation to protect the natural, historic and agricultural resources for generations to come.
Joined BYLT in 2011
Erin Joined BYLT as Stewardship Program Manager 2011-2017. Co-Executive Director 2018-2020. Executive Director 2021- Present
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies and Biology at California State University, Sacramento.
Jorie Emory| Development Director | jorie@bylt.org | (530) 272-5994 x 213
“My passion for connecting people to nature is a good match for BYLT’s work protecting lands and trails. I’m forever inspired by this community’s dedication for these special places.”
Prior to joining the team at BYLT, Jorie was Director of the Wild & Scenic Film Festival and held leadership roles at Children & Nature Network and River Network. In her free time, she enjoys making art and spending time exploring the outdoors with her husband and daughter.
Joined BYLT in 2021
As Director of Development, Jorie leads our fundraising, membership, and campaigns.
Education: Ph.D. in Arts Administration, Education, and Policy, The Ohio State University | B.A. in Art, Humboldt State University
Kate Gazzo | Conservation Program Manager | kate@bylt.org | (530) 272-5994 x 201
Kate grew up on the beach of the west coast of Florida. She studied Environmental Studies and Biology at Florida Gulf Coast University. She has 10 years of experience working on a variety of projects across the U.S. ranging from water quality monitoring to wetland restoration and invasive species eradication. She came to California in 2012 to explore the Sierra Nevada Mountains and pursue a graduate degree in Environmental Management at the University of San Francisco. Her Master’s research focused on using land conservation as a tool to achieve clean drinking water and avoid the use of gray infrastructure.
Kate now lives in Nevada City. While working in California, Kate has served as a biologist to evaluate proposed impacts to special-status species and natural communities. She has supported the development of conservation and mitigation banks and coordinated in-lieu fee mitigation projects. Kate is passionate about land conservation and promotes land conservation as a “multi-tool approach” to protect air, water, and soil resources in addition to wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities. In her spare time, she is happy doing yoga, cooking, mountain biking, snowboarding, and “botanizing”.
Sarah West | Administrative and Development Manager | sarah@bylt.org | (530) 272-5994 x 204
“Time outside in nature is so valuable to me. It grounds me and gives me perspective, provides learning experiences and adventure, it is rejuvenating and awe-inspiring. I am so grateful that my job allows me to play a small part in protecting these places and experiences for future generations”
Born in Ventura, CA, Sarah grew up exploring the coast and wild areas that surrounded her. She always had a love for the outdoors and wildlife and knew she wanted a career that focused on those things. After graduating from Calpoly she got married and moved to Nevada County where she fell in love with the beautiful foothills. She spent some time as a zookeeper for Folsom City Zoo and she worked as a Wildlife Technician and Administrative Assistant for Gold Country Wildlife Rescue in Auburn, CA. Through these experiences, her love for wildlife and beautiful Northern California grew and she recognized the importance of promoting conservation of our local lands. In her free time she enjoys hiking, recreational soccer, baking and spending time with her husband, two dogs and cat.
Joined BYLT in 2019
Sarah started at BYLT in May 2019 as Membership Coordinator. As the Administrative and Development Manager Sarah manages the membership program, donation data tracking and reporting, coordinates annual appeals and provides event and administrative support to the land trust.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Aleena Church | Community Engagement Manager | aleena@bylt.org | (530) 272-5994 x 207
“Protecting Open Space in a place I call home has allowed me to further understand human and nature relationships. Working to save land in order to restore forests and wildlife habitats would not be possible without community support and involvement. It is truly a partnership in all aspects of life including the environment, that gives us hope for the future. Being able to enjoy the Sierra Nevada Foothills’ scenic rivers and mountains is something that continues to center me and my role in this community.”
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, San Francisco State University | Masters of Arts in Environment and Community, Cal Poly Humboldt University.
Shaun Clarke |Public Recreation Stewardship Manager | shaun@bylt.org | (530) 272-5994 x 203
“Working outside to provide these places for people to recreate makes my heart sing. It gives me lots of joy being out there and when I think about all the trail users who will enjoy these trails for generations to come it is just icing on the cake. Providing trails that are open and free for all to use is a great way to give back to the community that has given so much to me.”
Shaun grew up in Littleton Massachusetts and built a trail for his Eagle Scout project in his hometown. He has always had a love for the outdoors, ecology and how people fit into conservation. He has worked for New Hampshire State Parks, taught outdoor education at Nature’s Classroom and grew produce organically for many seasons. Currently, he enjoys going on walks with his family and working in the vegetable garden.
Joined BYLT in 2015
Shaun started at BYLT in 2015 as Trail Coordinator. As the Public Recreation Stewardship Manager he focuses on keeping all our trails open and safe for all to use. A big part of his job is responding to comments and questions from the community, working with the trail adopters, and keeping the Trails Stewardship and Trails Planning Committee effective and on track.
Education: Proudly graduated from Littleton Jr. Sr. High School in Littleton MA | A.S. in Horticulture from SUNY Morrisville | B.S. Natural Resource Conservation from UMASS Amherst
Bill Haire | Trails Coordinator | bbillhaire@aol.com
“My earliest memories are of living on my Grandparent’s farm; being outdoors has always been a part of my life. My early desire was to work in the Forest, and I was able to pursue that dream with a career with the Forest Service. Working for the Land Trust has allowed me to continue doing what has always been so important to me, protecting open space, providing access to natural areas, building trails, and improving the condition of the land.”
Prior to joining the Land Trust, Bill had a 36 year career with the Forest Service working on several National Forests in California. During much of his career his job included management of outdoor recreation in the forest, with other responsibilities including range management, overseeing mining activities, permitting of facilities on Federal land, and timber management. Developing and managing trails has always been high on Bill’s interest list.
Joined BYLT in 2003
Bill started as the Trails Coordinator in 2003 and has been designing, constructing, and maintaining trails in this position for 20 years. Building new trails is a process that begins with a proposal, then looking at feasibility, securing easements and permits, securing financial resources, and then constructing the trail. Utilizing volunteers, grants, donations, and working with partners, we have been successful in building a great and ever-expanding trail system.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Forest Management, Humboldt State University
Jason Landers | Conservation Program Manager | jason@bylt.org | (530) 272-5994 x 209
“Open spaces and wild places are an essential part of our region and they are crucial to our physical and mental well-being. This region is special and I love wandering our local trails and exploring the many beautiful places in the area. I’m grateful to work with BYLT to conserve and defend the land that we all depend on.”
At a young age, Jason developed a passion for exploring the mountains and forests near his home. He knew early on that his calling was to work in service to people, animals, and our natural world. He has worked as a Forest Resilience and Outreach Coordinator with the El Dorado Resource Conservation District, a Food Recovery Coordinator with Food Forward Inc., and a Wilderness Ranger with the Bureau of Land Management. When he’s not working, Jason likes cooking delicious plant-based meals, reading by a river, and exploring the Sierras.
Joined BYLT in 2021
Jason joined BYLT in 2021 as the Land Stewardship Associate. In his role as Conservation Program Manager, Jason is responsible for managing the Conservation Easement Stewardship program, assisting with land acquisition projects, mapping, cultivating relationships with landowners and conservation partners, developing stewardship priorities for lands, participating in project fundraising, and managing fieldwork on conservation easements.
Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources Management and a minor in Geospatial Analysis, Humboldt State University
Zane Burnett | Restoration and Engagement Assistant | zane@bylt.org | (530) 272-5994 x 211
“Working for Bear Yuba Land Trust through the SNAP program provides me with the opportunity to confront the multifarious issues presented by an ever-changing climate to protect and fortify the natural resources of Nevada County.”
Growing up, Zane developed his love of the outdoors while exploring Folsom Lake and the Sierra Nevada Foothills. Post college, Zane spent five years working in the construction industry. In his free time Zane enjoys trail running, camping, art in its many forms, and learning as much as he can about the world around him.
Joined BYLT in 2022
In November of 2022 Zane was accepted into the Sierra Nevada Americorps Program (SNAP) before being placed with the Bear Yuba Land Trust as a Restoration and Engagement Assistant.
Education: AA degree in Behavioral and Social Sciences, Sierra College | Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, UC Santa Cruz.