STORIES FROM THE WILDLANDS CONSERVANCY
Ernie Thornton — the Champion Oak of Wildlands — Celebrates 25 years of service
September 14, 2024 marks 25 years since Ernie Thornton, ranger for The Wildlands Conservancy’s Oak Glen Preserve, joined the organization. To celebrate this remarkable milestone, Ernie was awarded the Champion Oak Award, a symbol of his enduring commitment to conservation. Like the oak tree, Ernie represents strength, resilience, and longevity, embodying the spirit of Wildlands’ mission.
Meet Sonoma Coast Preserve Steward, Quinn Whisman
For Quinn Whisman, preserve steward at the 5,630-acre Jenner Headlands Preserve, no two work days are the same. Raised in Bodega Bay, Quinn has spent his entire life on the Sonoma Coast with the only exception being pursuing his bachelor’s degree in wildlife management at Cal Poly Humboldt. Quinn got involved with Wildlands back in 2021 at Jenner Headlands Preserve as a trail steward and has returned each summer, eager to help further the mission of The Wildlands Conservancy.
Meet Wildlands Seawood Cape Preserve Stewards
Living on-site, Seawood Cape Preserve Stewards are able to provide continuous protection and oversight of the land, with work days often focused on activities to improve habitat conditions. A day in the life of our stewards may include thinning of conifers to promote healthy and biodiverse forests, eradicating nonnative plants, such as Himalayan blackberry, jubata grass, Portuguese heath, and English and cape ivies, or removing trash and illegally dumped items.
Meet Jenifer Lopez-Valdez, Education Manager for the Desert Preserves
Jenifer Lopez-Valdez joined The Wildlands Conservancy team in 2020 and works as our education manager for the California Desert Preserves. Jenifer grew up in the Coachella Valley and attributes free outdoor education programs to steering her towards a fulfilling career in conservation.
Meet Wind Wolves Preserve Manager, Daisy Carillo
Daisy Carillo has been with The Wildlands Conservancy for ten years. Currently, Daisy is the preserve manager for Wind Wolves Preserve. Consisting of 93,000 acres, the Preserve is nestled in a unique ecological region where the Transverse Ranges, Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada, western Mojave Desert and San Joaquin Valley influences converge.
Meet Kat Hardisty-Cranstone, New Preserve Manager for Rana Creek
A native to California, Kat has a deep respect and reverence for nature. Originally from San Diego, Kat studied fish, wildlife, and conservation biology at Colorado State University. Before attending university, she always dreamt of becoming a large animal veterinarian. However, through her ecology studies, she came to understand the connection between habitat degradation and animal extinction, a significant realization that altered her life path. “If I can restore the habitat, then the animals can restore themselves,” Kat says.