RVOEP Advisory Board
Since its founding in 1995 by a small group of local community members, the Redwood Valley Outdoor Education Project has operated under the premise that a few committed citizens can, indeed, make a difference.
The RVOEP was conceived and developed in 1995 by a citizen group dedicated to establishing an environmental education program for students attending the Ukiah Unified Schools. The project was set in motion when local citizens Spencer Brewer and Jennifer Harris, initiators of the project, gathered others in the community enthused by their vision–a diverse group that included educators, foresters, resource managers, and representatives of environmental groups. Harris, a retired high school science teacher with impressive community development skills, took on the role of organizing the group, devoting her energies to generating funds and gathering whatever other resources were needed to make the vision a reality.
Remarkably, more than two decades later, three of the founding members of the community Advisory Board continue to donate their time and energy to this project, while others have served and moved on and new members have stepped forward to continue the work of this group as a vital guiding and supportive source for the project. In addition to raising funds, this dedicated group of community volunteers has been actively involved in caring for and improving the RVOEP site for more than fifteen years. The RVOEP is truly a community project, existing, in large part, due to the unflagging dedication, commitment, and generosity of this group of community members. Currently the advisory board consists of the 18 members listed below.
Cathy Monroe
Founding RVOEP Board Member (1995), Chairperson and Retired Teacher; Past Mentor Teacher UUSD.
Duane Wells
Founding RVOEP Board Member (1995), Retired County Assessor; Professional Forester.
Bill Smith
Founding RVOEP Board Member (1995), Retired Registered Professional Forester; Member Society of American Foresters.
Helen Menasian
Former RVOEP Director/Educational Coordinator; Advisory Board Member since 2001.
Chuck Williams
Past President San Hedrin Chapter Native Plant Society; Inland Mendocino Land Trust Board of Directors; Advisory Board Member since 2002.
Chuck Vaughn
Peregrine Audubon Society Chapter President; Retired Research Associate, Hopland Research Center, University of California; Advisory Board Member since 2004.
Steve Lincoln
Biologist; Past President Kiwanis Club; Advisory Board Member since 2004.
Jean Lincoln
Retired Teacher; Advisory Board Member since 2004.
Kathy Tobin
Sheriff’s Activity League; Advisory Board Member since 2006.
Dianne Chocholak
Membership Chair; Advisory Board Member since 2010.
Steve Prochter
Retired Director of Mendocino County Department of Social Services; Former Scout Leader and Eagle Scout; Advisory Board Member since 2012.
Sharon Kiichli
Retired Director of Tapestry Family Services; Advisory Board Members since 2012.
Linda Ferguson
Biologist; Advisory Board Member since 2012.
Deborah Edelman
Mendocino County Resource Conservation District; Advisory Board Member since 2012.
Maureen Taylor
RVOEP Director/Educational Coordinator; Advisory Board Member since 2014.
Katie Sommer
Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services, UUSD; Advisory Board Member since 2014.
Dan Stearns
Principal, Eagle Peak Middle School, UUSD; Advisory Board Member since 2014.
Patty Madigan
Mendocino County Resource Conservation District; Advisory Board Member since 2017.