Kathleen Hitt, Executive Director
Kathleen has been the heart and soul of the Land Trust’s conservation vision and growth for nearly thirteen years. Her background includes natural resource monitoring, planning, policy, and law. Kathleen moved to California in 1999 to work for the AmeriCorps Watershed Stewards Project, and now divides her time between her home in Callahan, the SLT office in Mt. Shasta and work in the field throughout Siskiyou County. Her passion for conservation and cooperative solutions brought her to the land trust, where she says “we have an incredible opportunity at this time to work together for the people and places we love.”
Alexis Robertson, Conservation Program Director
Alexis specializes in natural resource management and agriculture with a background in restoration, soil science, and livestock ranching. She has cultivated a career dedicated to sound environmental stewardship practices and collaborative project management, and enjoys working at the intersection between working landscapes and environmental conservation. She is excited to expand her work and impact throughout the county with the Siskiyou Land Trust.
Contact: alexisrobertson@siskiyoulandtrust.org
Erica Harris, Stewardship Program Director
Erica has a background in ecology, species recovery, sustainable agriculture, and vegetation management and a degree in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz. As a wildland firefighter for the US Forest Service, Erica worked on hotshot, engine, and helicopter crews, gaining experience in fire behavior, fuels management, and prescribed burning. This work laid the foundation for advancing forest health and fire resiliency projects.
With a knack for networking and lifelong study of California ecosystems, Erica loves finding collaborative and innovative ways to solve conversation challenges. Erica’s experience with impact networks includes participation in the Santa Cruz Mountain Stewardship Network, founding the Bay Area chapter of Skate Like A Girl, and the development and support of worker-owned cooperatives. Erica’s passion for wildlife is evident through active participation in birding, wildlife surveys, and educational outreach.
“I’m thrilled to join SLT’s team protecting the working and wild lands of Siskiyou County. Safeguarding our astonishing biodiversity and unique rural character is an incredible opportunity.”
Contact: ericaharris@siskiyoulandtrust.org
Kristin Davis, Grants and Office Administrator
Along with the daily SLT office tasks, Kristin also manages grant contracts and coordinates with our conservation partners for invoicing. She grew up in the Monterey Bay area and earned a Bachelor’s Degree from UC Davis in Nature and Culture with an emphasis in Plant Ecology. Kristin’s appreciation for wild landscapes integrates well with her solid background in administrative management to make sure Siskiyou Land Trust’s internal systems are capable of handling the tides of incoming and outgoing reporting.
Contact: kristindavis@siskiyoulandtrust.org
Laura Bradley, Stewardship Programs Manager
Laura was born in Vancouver, Canada and moved to Mt. Shasta by way of Arizona, Washington, Germany, Georgia and most recently, Ferndale, California. Laura has a Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology and Environmental Science and a Master’s Degree in Wildlife Biology. Laura has worked monitoring avian wildlife for over 20 years and her passion for protecting wild and open spaces led her to work for the Siskiyou Land Trust.
Contact: laurabradley@siskiyoulandtrust.org
Peter Townley, Land Stewardship Manager
As Stewardship Manager, Peter plays the important role of caring for SLT landscapes. Peter is a native of Siskiyou County who grew up in the Little Shasta area of Shasta Valley. With a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from UCSB, Peter has previously worked in agriculture and conservation in both on-the-ground and supervisory roles for CA State Parks, the Shasta Valley RCD, the Guadalupe-Coyote RCD, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and a land trust called Save Mt. Diablo.
Contact: petertownley@siskiyoulandtrust.org
Hannah Link, Conservation Coordinator
Growing up locally in Northern California, Hannah developed her love for the natural world within these local landscapes. After graduating with a degree in Human Development from Texas A&M Commerce, she moved to Bishop California to serve as the FoodCorps Farm to School Garden educator with the Bishop Paiute Tribe Food Sovereignty Program. It was through this stewardship work with tribal land protectors that she developed the inspiration and passion for connecting the community to the natural world. Hannah Is excited for this opportunity to return to her homelands in land reciprocity and support the Siskiyou Land Trust community engagement activities.
“Conservation lies within the voices of the people.” – Harry Williams Bishop Paiute Tribe
Contact: hannahlink@siskiyoulandtrust.org
Emily Williamson, Conservation Coordinator
Emily is excited to join the Siskiyou Land Trust after leaving Montana and moving back to the area. As Scott Valley is her favorite place in this big, beautiful world, she is thrilled to be working to protect the local ranches and wild landscapes that make far northern California so magical. Emily lives on a property with an SLT conservation easement and is always happy to chat about what that looks like day to day. She is always looking to connect with landowners and volunteers that share her mission of stewarding the land and rivers she holds so dearly.
Contact: emilywilliamson@siskiyoulandtrust.org
Jessica Matthews, Conservation Project Manager
Jessica is a native of Mount Shasta and holds a B.S. in Wildlife Biology – Conservation Biology/Applied Vertebrate Ecology from Cal Poly Humboldt. She has firsthand experience in preserving natural landscapes and a strong commitment to Siskiyou County. Jessica has worked at the Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center, the Siskiyou Science Festival, and the HSI STEM Program at Cal Poly Humboldt. She has also served in the AmeriCorps CSU STEM VISTA program and is certified in Resource Development: Fundraising & Grant Writing, and Volunteer Mobilization. Inspired by her studies, research, life and work experiences, Jessica is eager to contribute to the community she grew up in!
Contact: jessicamatthews@siskiyoulandtrust.org
Sara Cowan, Administrative Assistant
A Siskiyou County resident starting in 2001, this Redding native developed a deep love for the outdoors through childhood adventures in Northern California’s wilderness. Professionally, she’s worn many hats, from assisting entrepreneurs and small businesses in administrative and marketing roles to working in case management and caregiving. Her superpowers include recognizing the connections between a mission statement and a database, finding something to love about everyone she meets, and an unrelenting urge to solve problems. She’s thrilled to be part of the team and eager to make a positive impact in conserving the natural integrity of our precious home.
Contact: saracowan@siskiyoulandtrust.org
