septiembre 26, 2023
Posted in: Personas y lugares
Saluda a nuestro nuevo miembro del equipo, Simon Apostol. Simon llega a nosotros después de trabajar como Gerente de Área Natural en Columbia Land Trust en Vancouver, WA. En el fideicomiso de tierras, dirigió varios proyectos de conservación, gestión y restauración, incluido el de liderar el proyecto de eliminación de la presa Kwoneesum, que eliminará una presa de 50 pies en el río Washougal. Simon también tiene una amplia experiencia como ecólogo, habiendo trabajado en todos los aspectos de proyectos de restauración en una amplia variedad de ecosistemas, desde áreas ribereñas hasta hábitats de bosques de tierras altas. ¡Escuche más de Simon en nuestro último artículo destacado!
What’s your favorite Sonoma County place to get outside and why?
I’ve just moved to the region and am having a fantastic time exploring. I love the coast and area around Bodega Bay, and feel grateful that there has been so much work done to secure public access to beaches and headlands.
What’s one fact, statistic, or interesting tidbit about land conservation that you enjoy sharing with others?
Functioning wetlands are some of our best tools for mitigating drought, flooding, and other natural disasters–especially important in the face of warming temperatures and increasing weather severity. Wetlands and ponds created by beaver activity in particular are fantastic at holding water in a landscape, recharging soil moisture, and even providing natural breaks against wildfire. Sonoma county is home to some fantastic, diverse wetlands including the Laguna de Santa Rosa and numerous estuaries along the coast.
What’s your proudest moment working in land conservation and why?
I was fortunate to play a role as restoration project manager for several elements of a large-scale, multi-decade effort to restore over 1000 acres of floodplain forest along the Columbia River. This work was only possible through the work of several different agencies, nonprofits, and community recreation groups, some of which were concerned that habitat protections would close off the well-loved property to public recreation. Through many meetings, site tours, and volunteer planting events, we were able to come to a solution that left everyone happy and showed that restoration, habitat conservation, and public access do not need to be at odds with each other.
What compelled you to pick a career in land conservation?
I’m not sure I ever really considered anything else! I just knew I loved the natural world and wanted to be a part of protecting it. The only other job I ever really liked was working as a bike mechanic. Unfortunately I was pretty bad at it, so here I am.
What’s your favorite ice cream flavor and why?
Sadly I am lactose intolerant, but I’ll demolish any baked goods I can get my hands on.