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 Treasurer 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.
Brendan Allen |Engagement Manager | brendan@bylt.org | (530) 272-5994 x 207
Brendan was born and raised among the oak woodlands of California’s central coast. He eventually moved to Oakland, CA where his interest in camping and all things outdoors began to bloom. After many years working as a carpenter, he went to college at San Francisco State University and received a B.A. in Geography, focusing on Natural Resource Management. Over the next 10+ years Brendan worked in several national and regional parks throughout California and Washington states. He worked on projects that restored degraded habitats, monitored populations of rare and endangered plants, and studied the populations of bats and northern-spotted owls.
Outside of work he is an avid musician and woodworker, lover of boardgames and Star Trek, and his current passion projects are composing new classical music and making violins from salvaged materials
Joined BYLT in 2026
As the Engagement Manager, Brendan coordinates volunteer opportunities and works with student groups, connects with the community at events on the land, leads hikes and nature education and so much more.
Education: San Francisco State University with a B.A. in Geography, focusing on Natural Resource Management
Shaun Clarke |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 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
Diana Dobbs| Finance Manager | diana@bylt.org | (530)-272-5994 ex 202
“I am proud to be a part of a great team dedicated to helping protect the lands of this beautiful area for our community and future generations to come.”
Diana grew up on the east coast in North Carolina. Her family settled down in the Nevada County area in 2013 and she now lives in Smartsville. They can often be found hiking, camping, and enjoying the trails, lakes & river spots in the area. Diana has 14+ years of experience as a lead accountant in various auditing, manufacturing, and service businesses and is excited to put her organizational skills and attention to detail to work in support of the BYLT mission.
Joined BYLT in 2022
Diana manages all aspects of the organization’s financial transactions, including payroll, insurance, revenue, expenses, taxes and audits. Her work provides detailed and accurate reporting to help guide decision-making and ensure organizational sustainability.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Business, Major in Accounting, University of Phoenix
Stephanie Foster| Development Associate | stephanie@bylt.org | (530)-272-5994 ex 204
“Nature and wildlife have always been an integral part of my life, and I feel proud to be part of an organization that works hard to keep our surrounding lands free from development and open for all to enjoy, forever.”
Stephanie grew up in the Bay Area, where she enjoyed many outdoor activities, including camping in the beautiful Portola Redwoods State Park. Her curiosity about nature and wildlife has been a lifelong passion, and she still has the bird identification book that her grandfather used in the 1970s. Stephanie has worked for various nonprofit organizations since the early 2000s. In 2024, she joined BYLT as a temporary Development Associate and transitioned to a permanent position in 2025. When she’s not at work, Stephanie enjoys spending time with friends and engaging with her local community in Nevada City. She also loves visiting her daughter in Colorado and taking care of her pets, which include a dog, three cats, and a guinea pig. Additionally, she volunteers for local rescue groups and shelters, walking dogs and doing what she can to support their efforts.
Joined BYLT in 2024
Education: Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management from Cal Poly Humboldt
TJ Graven | Recreation and Trails Planner | tj@bylt.orgtj@bylt.org | (530)-272-5994 ex 211
“As our electronic devices pull us towards a sedentary indoor existence it is important to ensure that people have access to outdoor spaces where they can immerse themselves in the natural world. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the development and stewardship of public trails across this wonderful diverse landscape.”
TJ grew up near the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers outside of St. Louis. His passion for natural resources and the outdoors began in the farm ponds and creeks of that region. Prior to joining BYLT, TJ worked on legislative affairs for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Missouri Department of Conservation in Jefferson City, MO. He has also spent time in Washington, DC; Irvine, CA; and Moramanga, Madagascar (Peace Corps). TJ and his family are avid hikers and are so excited to have found such an outstanding area to call home.
Joined BYLT in 2026
Education: Juris Doctor, Georgetown University Law Center; Bachelor of Science, University of Missouri
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
Julia Lakes| Development Manager | julia@bylt.org | (530)-272-5994 ex 212
“Caring for the place we call home just makes sense to me. I feel so lucky to work for an organization that reflects my values and is committed to thoughtfully stewarding wild places and open spaces for present and future generations.”
Julia grew up in the Bay Area and escaped to the outdoors as much as possible. She has over fifteen years’ experience at community-based nonprofits, including as Conservation Director at Wallowa Land Trust in northeast Oregon and Director of Development at Beyond Emancipation in Oakland, California. Julia stumbled into fundraising because of her passion for helping people make a difference in their own community. In her spare time Julia can be found weeding in her veggie garden, cooking up a feast, exploring local trails, and dabbling in the arts.
Joined BYLT in 2025
Education: Bachelors of Arts in Environmental Humanities from Whitman College
Jason Landers | Conservation 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
Annette Muller | Communications Manager | annette@bylt.org | (530) 272-5994 x 208
“BYLT makes space for community, creating pathways that connect people to the splendors of nature and each other. It’s a privilege to work in such a pursuit.”
Annette joins BYLT with over 10 years of experience in the performing arts sector where she honed her skills as a grant writer and marketing manager. Having spent most of her career championing small community-based nonprofits, her aim has always been to support and make space for those around her in the actualization of the organization’s mission. Annette enjoys getting out from behind her computer screen and into the world as much as possible, traveling the crooked path wherever it takes her.
Joined BYLT in 2023
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology, San Francisco State University