julio 24, 2024
Posted in: Personas y lugares
Alex creció en las colinas de Berkshire, en el oeste de Massachusetts, y se mudó por el oeste antes de establecerse en el condado de Sonoma hace casi 20 años. Asistió a campamentos naturales cuando era niño y pasó gran parte de su tiempo al aire libre haciendo caminatas, andando en bicicleta, esquiando y explorando; siempre tuvo un profundo aprecio por el mundo natural. Alex estudió geografía en la Universidad de Arizona, donde conoció por primera vez los SIG. Más tarde obtuvo una maestría en geografía en la UC Davis, donde comenzó su carrera en SIG. Antes de trabajar en Ag + Open Space, Alex trabajó durante muchos años en el Sonoma Ecology Center y fue el coordinador del grupo de usuarios de SIG de North Bay.
What’s your favorite Sonoma County place to get outside and why?
I spend a lot of time in Trione – Annadel State Park, it is such an incredible resource for the community with miles of mountain biking and hiking so close to Santa Rosa. North Slope Sonoma Mountain is another favorite and usually where I bring visitors from out of town.
What’s one fact, statistic, or interesting tidbit about land conservation that you enjoy sharing with others?
The natural ecosystem processes in Sonoma County are valued at $2 – $6 billion annually. In the Healthy Lands & Healthy Economies study (2018), Ag + Open Space quantified the economic benefits of natural ecosystem processes. Natural processes help us maintain clean water, carbon sequestration, clean air, stormwater management, etc. These free services would otherwise cost billions of dollars to replicate. By conserving lands that keep these ecosystem processes intact, we save billions of dollars in benefits to our environment.
What’s your proudest moment working in land conservation and why?
It’s hard to pick one, so much of my work is in support of the entire team at Ag + Open Space. Everyone at this organization is deeply committed to the mission and it feels great to be a part of this important work. The science-based conservation priorities and objective measures provided by Vital Lands Initiative are driving the way we evaluate properties. I don’t know of any other land conservation entity that has adopted such a robust and forward-thinking strategy. I also really liked working with the Watershed Task Force post-fire(s) to map erosion hazards, and help keep sediment out of salmonid streams.
What compelled you to pick a career in land conservation?
I have always enjoyed open space and have seen the impacts of development nearly everywhere. Doing GIS for conservation is always interesting and the possibilities are endless for learning new tools and analyses. I like that the work we do in land conservation makes a difference in the quality of life for everyone in Sonoma County.
What’s your favorite ice cream flavor and why?
Anything from Screaming Mimi’s, but at the moment I like their Cookie Jar flavor. Strawberry is a close second.