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Chair Gail Mackenroth: Gail is a homemaker, business leader, community environmental leader (Sierra Club Environmentalist of the Year 2002) and artist. Her gracious leadership skills are a vital element of the Board.

Vice Chairperson Robert Garrison: Bob owns and operates a nature tourism planning company based in Newcastle, Ca. While at the Ca. Dept. of Fish and Game he was recognized for his skills in strategic planning, writing, organizational development & administration. His understanding of environment, ecology, and education are an invaluable asset to the board.

Treasurer Christina Abuelo: Christina, Market Manager for the Foothill Farmers' Market, is a nonprofit fund development consultant specializing in grant proposal preparation and management consulting to grassroots organizations.

Secretary Joanie Mooneyham: Joanie brings to the board her super positive attitude coming from a successful career in real estate. She excels in raising community awareness about the vital role PNC plays in environmental education for children. She loves gardening, music, and sailing, & is a member of the Auburn Symphony League.

Keith Smith: Keith served for 2 ½ years as Sustainability Program Manager for the CA EPA. Previously he was Chief Deputy Director-CA Integrated Waste Management Board & Chief of Field Operations- CA Dept. of Consumer Affairs.

Sonia Sungail: Sonia is a retired bookkeeper and a volunteer docent (teacher) for school tours as well as manager/scheduler of PNC’s school tours and extension programs. Her dedication and hours donated as a volunteer are as generous as an organization could ever hope for.

Ann Danielson: A new member of the board as of Spring 2007, Anne brings her knowledge of Training & Development in the financial sector to the board. She is a volunteer Ambassador for the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, loves running, hiking and enjoying the American River Canyon and the many trails in our beautiful foothill area.

Robert Ferber: Dr. Ferber is a former technical manager at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA. His background and expertise is in alternative energies, nuclear power and spacecraft. His work as a scientist with a major research institution and his contacts with academia and government, as well as the non profit sector, bring a needed skill set to the Board.

Rick Brown: Rick is a retired high school teacher of Journalism and Photography and a “Teacher on Loan” to the Placer Union High School District on matters of curricula and staff development. He was named “Teacher of the Year” by PCOE & “Educator of the Year” by the Auburn Area Chamber . His expertise & experience includes facilitation & strategic planning, intergovernmental relations & administration, & long term & highly respected contacts within the realm of academia.

Larry Langham: Larry is a graduate of UC Davis & has been a resident in the area since 1972. He is a Realtor with over 25 years experience in the real estate industry. Larry is also a soccer coach, a member of Rotary and area director of the “Wheelchair Project to Mexico”. He brings to the Board a keen sense of the recreational and educational needs of local residents & how PNC can best meet those needs.

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Staff and Key Volunteers

Leslie Warren-Executive Director: Leslie is the co-founder and Executive Director of PNC, an economic development consultant, artist and community volunteer. Her love of nature and passion for linking people with nature, gives her the unique ability to share the mission and purpose of Placer Nature Center with corporations and organizations as well as individuals.

Linda Desai-Education Director: Linda is the co-founder and Education Director of PNC, a college instructor, author and community environmental educator and teacher. Linda is a tireless, dedicated leader for all of the education programs provided by Placer Nature Center.

Nancy Blue: PNC’s Office Coordinator brings multiple management and organization skills to the Center. In her free time she leads an acoustic music group called Natural Blue.

Norma Brink: Norma is PNC’s accountant/Bookkeeper who volunteers her services to manage our income proceeds. She has generously shared her skills in non-profit organizational finances with the center for the last 15 years.

Leah Cavanaugh: Leah works with Sonia Sungail as docent coordinator for PNC’s school tours and extension programs. She is also a volunteer docent.

Kathryn Grey: Kathryn is an extraordinary accountant, community volunteer and long-term fiscal manager for PNC who does the annual tax preparation. She is the owner of Kathryn Grey CPA of Auburn.

Megan Krekorian: Megan joined PNC as the Media Coordinator in July 2006. Megan brings a tireless attention to detail and superb advance planning skills to this vital role.

Barbara Leak: Barbara is an experienced and outstanding bookkeeper who works with the Foothills Farmers Market and other clients. She brings her positive attitude and team spirit as well as her efficiency and attention to detail to her role as bookkeeper for Placer Nature Center.

Nancy Morgan: Nancy is the artistic talent behind the wonderful Nature Shop. Since she retired from administrative work in grammar schools, she’s volunteered for PNC in multiple capacities. She has been a docent at PNC since 2001.

Eve Sundquist Sande, Ph.D: Eve is a staff naturalist at Placer Nature Center. Childhood creek explorations, backpacking, and sailing led to research on the ecology of nitrogen-fixing symbiotic root microbes with ocean trees on Virginia islands; alfalfa at UC Davis; and soybean on Maui at University of Hawaii (for more food for Africa and South America). Her experience includes teaching and her depth of knowledge inspires her environmental education programs.

Chuck Wiederhold, Ph.D: Chuck is a musician and author, and serves as PNC’s staff naturalist. He retired from the Placer County Office of Education a few years ago following an illustrious career in environmental education.

Volunteers