Elissa is currently studying wildlife at Humboldt State University. She goes outdoors to adventure as often as possible whether it be hiking, searching for wildlife, or backpacking. She loves sharing her knowledge about the natural world, especially in the fields of ornithology and botany. Elissa is also involved with the non-profit organization Bird Ally X, who rehabilitate sick and injured wildlife, specializing in aquatic birds. Elissa is incredibly passionate about the foothills and has been a member of SFC since 2010.

Doug was born in Whittier and moved to Fresno to attend Fresno State College in 1965. He graduated from Fresno State in 1970 with a degree in Social Sciences, and after teaching for 3 years spent the next 40 years managing local non-profits. He is now retired. Over the last 40 years, he has deepened his love for the Sierra Nevada and the surrounding foothills. He has spent many hours backpacking, and cross country skiing throughout our local mountains. For many years he led Sierra Club hikes and cross country ski trips. Spending as much time in the mountains as he can he now spends his retirement kayaking the San Joaquin River year around (the wildlife on the river is fantastic during the winter), hiking on a weekly basis, skiing during the winter, and leading Foothill Conservancy hikes.

I work as a chemist for an agricultural laboratory in Fresno.I now live in Clovis but lived in the foothills for many years. I love to hike in the mountains, ride horses and travel. I enjoy working as a docent for SFC because it gives me much pleasure to see children learning about nature and having a great time. I have a border collie dog named Maggie that hikes with me whenever she is allowed into the area we are hiking.

Dennis Christiansen is a retired elementary and middle school science teacher. While teaching, he participated in the “Owls In The Classroom” program, caring for and monitoring the growth of over 50 barn owls and great horned owls. He is a co-sponsor of the Tenaya Middle School Wildlife Club and maintains a section of Highway 41 (Adopt-A-Highway program) in their name.

He is the pick-up and temporary care person in the Coarsegold/Oakhurst area for Critter Creek Wildlife Station. For over 20 years he gave informational talks on birds of prey, owl box construction, and was Educational Team Leader for Fresno Wildlife Rehabilitation. Dennis and his educational barn owl, Rosie, appeared in Audubon Magazine.

He volunteers for DFG’s Salmonids In The Classroom and KRCD’s Fish Management Program. Dennis’s love of children and the outdoors has led him to volunteer for Sierra Foothill’s McKenzie Preserve spring educational program.

Caryn Coss is a bargaining specialist for the California Teachers Association but spent her first 20 years of professional life as an elementary teacher. She enjoys sharing her love of the Sierra Foothills as an Education Docent for SFC’s school Field Trips on the McKenzie Preserve. Connecting people with the beauty and wonder of nature is a passion of hers. She loves hunting for newts and frogs with her grandchildren, exploring nests, granary trees, and all the wonders of the foothills with a new generation.

Caryn and husband David live in a log cabin that has a view of the McKenzie Preserve from the front porch. They have been members of SFC since 2000 and have helped with the Annual Fundraising Dinner in various capacities since 2003—working hard to preserve this beautiful land for all.

In addition to frequent visits to the McKenzie, Caryn and David enjoy boating on Shaver Lake, and exploring old logging roads in the Sierras in their Jeep—only on marked trails, of course. They also love visiting Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia but only in the winter, spring and fall when the crowds are light. In the summer, the high country around Shaver Lake and Dinkey Creek are the places to be.

Nat worked for 35 years as a radiologist in Fresno and is “almost” retired, only filling in when his old group has several people off at the same time.  He has lived at Millerton Lake for over 25 years and has developed a love of the area.  He wants to see that some of the area is set aside for future generations to enjoy as he has.

He enjoys getting out of doors and learns something new at every Sierra Foothill Conservancy event.

Sue Gorder inherited a deep love of the outdoors and all things flora and fauna from her mother, Cherry Franklin, a SFC advocate and supporter from the very beginning.   Sue has spent much of her life exploring and enjoying the Sierra Nevada and surrounding area through camping, hiking, and backpacking.  Sue is dedicated to preserving the Sierra environment and enjoys sharing her love and knowledge of the Sierra and the SFC preserves with the Field Trip kids at the McKenzie Preserve.

Ed is recently retired and loves to hike and explore the Sierra. He enjoys working with young people and being an Education Docent as it allows him to teach and show students a very beautiful part of the Sierra.

“The kids always are able to teach or show me something new each time we go out.  I love that I am able to make an impact and share some of my knowledge to get people out in the wilderness and show them why it needs protection for future generations.”

Linda Marie Hurst began her yoga practice in 1996 and completed her 200 and 300-hour yoga teacher trainings at Mount Madonna School of Yoga. She completed Children’s Yoga Teacher Training with Rainbow Yoga in 2017. Additionally, she completed Ayurveda Health Counselor training at the Mount Madonna School of Ayurveda in 2019 and completed 500-hour CAMTC approved Massage Therapy training in 2020. Linda’s goal is simple: to use her training and experience to help others feel better: “People of all ages and levels can come to the Sierra Foothill preserves, enjoy a wonderful Yoga practice, and return home feeling refreshed and happy.”

Linda’s teaching style focuses upon individual needs and body types, helping students receive the most from their practice while preventing injury.  When not on the preserve, Linda can be found offering group yoga classes at Old Town Yoga Studio, offering  200-hour Yoga Teacher Trainings, and offering massage and bodywork at Sheer Bliss Organics Spa.

Jan has lived in the foothills for 34 years. She loves the area and the outdoor living opportunities it provide.  She has two daughters and nine grandchildren.  She enjoys hiking, gardening, and spending time with family.  She works at Intermountain Nursery in Prather and loves working with customers.

“Being an education docent is a wonderful experience. Seeing the kids getting excited about the outdoors is great!”

Alvora is an Educational Docent for SFC.  She and her husband, Todd, plus two dogs and a chameleon live across the street from the McKenzie Preserve.  They moved there 16 years ago because of the spectacular view of the Preserve and the close proximity to the four-lane that takes them to the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

She grew up in Fresno and Clovis with many teachers and mentors who guided her along the way. “I feel fortunate to do the same for others as a teacher and volunteer for the last 25 years. The McKenzie Field Trips with kids from the Valley is one of my favorite volunteer activities.  The other volunteers, the teachers and parents, and the children, celebrate the wonder of nature during our time together.  In the short three to four hours of their time on the Preserve, we share the experience with enthusiasm and gratitude for the preserve’s efforts to create a space for us and the environment and its inhabitants to interact.”