The Stewardship Director oversees our stewardship program which includes monitoring the conservation and agricultural easements, and managing lands owned by Placer Land Trust. The Stewardship Director coordinates restoration and enhancement projects on our preserves, leads preserve tours, and works with community volunteers to ensure that our preserves are protected for future generations. Jeff Ward was hired in November 2008 after serving a year as our Stewardship Assistant.
Jeff was raised in Baltimore, MD where he spent time exploring natural communities, camping, hiking, and playing music. He spent six years pursuing a career as a musician in southern California before deciding to get back in touch with nature. He moved to Florida to get a degree in the environmental field. Jeff earned a BA in Environmental Studies with a focus in Ecology from Florida Gulf Coast University. He then interned at the City of Cape Coral and Estero Bay Preserve State Park working on invasive species management projects. He lives in Sacramento with his wife April.
“Growing up in the rural countryside of Maryland, I spent most of my free time exploring the nearby forests and streams learning as much as I could about the different critters and the habitats that they live in. As I grew older, I continued to spend a lot of time in the outdoors hiking and camping, which further developed my fond appreciation of nature. While traveling the U.S. and returning to some of the areas that I once explored as a kid, I realized that a lot of these natural areas are disappearing and kids today may not have the opportunity to experience the natural world as I did. This really sparked my interest in land and wildlife habitat conservation. Serving as an AmeriCorps member and Stewardship Assistant at Placer Land Trust for a year, I experienced the beauty of Placer County and realized that we still have a chance to make a difference here. I feel privileged to work in a field that I thoroughly enjoy and look forward to everyday as I work with the trust to reach its conservation goals.”
