WE ARE HIRING!  

Conservation Project Manager Job Description

Our staff is dedicated to providing excellent services to our customers in a reliable, fiscally responsible manner.

Elizabeth Harper

Executive Director

liz@colusarcd.org

About: Liz grew up in Colusa and returned in 2012 to pursue her passion for farming and rural living.  She began as a ranch intern at Peterson Ranch, a large family farm that produces orchard crops, later that year.  She soon became the Assistant Agronomist working in a close-knit farm management team. Responsibilities included: developing nutrient budgets, managing the irrigation program, and coordinating Integrated Pest Management projects. In her final year at the ranch, Liz became the Assistant Director of Food Safety and Government Compliance, work included developing and implementing a Global Good Agricultural Practice plan.   

Concurrently in 2013, Liz was hired by the local RCD as a Conservation Technician. She was directed by Audubon Society’s lead conservationists to develop and maintain hedgerows at Davis Ranches. 

Apprenticing professionals in both conservation and agriculture specific to Colusa County's ecological farmscape has only solidified Liz's desire to integrate and help sustain both in the place she re-calls home.  

In 2018, CCRCD hired Liz as the Assistant Executive Director to take over the leadership of the RCD at the year's end.  Liz is thrilled to be able to serve her rural community in conserving, protecting and restoring natural resources well into the future.  

When not at work, Liz enjoys raising her son in a small town, running with her dog along the Sacramento River, cooking NYT recipes, attempting a xeriscape garden, reading everything, and traveling outside the valley every once in a while.  

Agriculture Professional certifications:

Certified Crop Advisor/ August 2018

Qualified Applicators License/ March 2017

UC Davis: Walnut Short Course

UC Davis: Pomology Short Course (2-week intensive)

California Farm Academy, Center for Land-based Learning, Winters,
CA / Class of 2014

Graduated in 2008 from Seattle Pacific University, BA in Family and Consumer Science: Individual and Family Development     

Elyse Blaker

Natural Resource Coordinator

elyse@colusarcd.org

Elyse Blaker is the new Natural Resource Coordinator, bridging together the Colusa NRCS and RCD. Elyse grew up in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains in Truckee CA. Elyse’s love of nature and interest in agriculture began with her family roots in Iowa and learning from her father, an agronomist and avid outdoorsman. Elyse previously served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Nimitz. After the military Elyse moved to Chico to attend Butte Community College with a focus on natural resources. She has previous experience working with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Waterfowl Association, and the USDA working as the local Farm Bill Assistant in the Colusa NRCS office. Elyse is currently finishing her BS at Oregon State University for Agricultural Science. Elyse is thrilled to be a part of the RCD and working within the community. Outside of work Elyse can be found spending time at home gardening, weaving, and traveling with her dog Millie north to the mountains or the coast.

Alexandra Berlier

Bookkeeper/ Office Assistant 

alexandra@colusarcd.org

Alexandra is the new Bookkeeper/ Office Assistant at the Colusa County RCD.

About: Alexandra grew up in Willows, CA and moved to Williams, CA in 2019. She is currently enrolled in school to pursue her dream career in Wildlife Biology. Alexandra has always loved nature and more importantly animals. She is excited to be part of the RCD, and to start getting experience in her future career path. When Alexandra is not at work you can find her adventuring/ traveling with her friends, saving animals, and spending time at home with her 2 dogs Miley and Nadia as well as her cat Zodiac.