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Board of Directors, Staff & Volunteers

Learn more about people behind Oswit Land Trust.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Katie Barrows

Board Secretary

Joined in 2024
Experience

Career in Habitat Conservation and Environmental Sustainability. Former Director of Environmental Resources (2007-2021) and Associate Director of Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy (1997-2006). Past board member, Friends of the Desert Mountains; current board member, California Native Plant Society/Riverside-San Bernardino Chapter.

Passion

A desert lover and Coachella Valley resident for 38 years, I enjoy hiking, spending time with my family and pets, and appreciating native plants. I am also dedicated to providing a sanctuary for wild plants and animals.

Favorite species

Favorite species:
Mecca aster (Xylorhiza cognata)

Jane Garrison

Founder & Executive Director

Joined in 2016
Experience
Extensive background in animal protection with work featured in several documentaries on Animal Planet, National Geographic and CNN. Awarded Humanitarian of the Year by the United Nations in 2020. Together with her husband, owns the patent and company that distributes a solution for kidney failure in 36 countries.
Passion
When not saving land, Jane likes to use that "never give up attitude" on the pickleball court.
Favorite species

The misunderstood California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi)

Tamara Hedges

Board Member

Joined in 2022
Experience
30-year career with the University of California, Executive Director at UC Riverside, Palm Desert (2013-present). Certified UC California Naturalist and UC California Climate Steward. Board Chair, Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter.
Passion
Favorite pastime: Hiking, followed by a delicious home cooked dinner.
Favorite species

Creosote bush (Larrea tridentata).

David Lahti

Board Member

Joined in 2016
Experience
38-year career in the oil and gas industry with a BS in Chemical Engineering, retired in 2020. Certified as UC Master Gardener in 2022.
Passion

NA

Favorite species

California fan palm (<em>Washingtonia filifera</em>) - the only native palm to California. Most every part of the plant had functional uses for the Cahuilla.

Aaron Leider

Treasurer

Joined in 2017
Experience
Real Estate Broker with The Agency in Beverly Hills and the Coachella Valley. Treasurer for Stray Cat Alliance, an advocacy group focused in the inner city of LA. Speaks both Developers and Conservationists language.
Passion

Car collector

Favorite species

Favorite species: Peninsular bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni).

Robert McCann

Board Member

Joined in 2018
Experience
Retired NASA Scientist. Served on the Palm Springs Sustainability Commission 2016-2022; Chaired the Waste Management Subcommittee. Coachella Valley Activist for Progressive Politicians and Environmental Preservation Policies.
Passion

Tennis fanatic

Favorite species

Favorite species: Bobcat (Lynx rufus).

STAFF

Scott
Collins

Wildlife Conservation Coordinator

Joined in 2022
Experience
Talented nature photographer, supplying many of OLT’s wildlife photos. Peace Corps volunteer.
Passion

Mountain climber

Favorite species

Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni).

Mike Courtemanche

Trail Ambassador
Coordinator

Joined in 2023
Experience

Volunteer trail ambassador since 2023 with over 1,500 miles walked at Prescott Preserve

Passion

Walking/hiking and craft beer

Favorite species

Domestic dogs (canis lupus familiaris)

Jarek
Dallos

Manager Prescott
Preserve Restoration

Joined in 2022
Experience

Masters in Aviation & Aeronautical Engineering from faculty of Mechanical Engineering at VSB Technical University of Ostrava, Czech Republic.

Creative engineer, designer and web developer for 15 years. Developed and managed websites for artists like The Go-Go's and The Black Eyed Peas to name a few.

Passion

Running, Birding, Hiking, Yoga, Hockey

Favorite species

Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperii)

Jeff
Faxon

Director Agricultural
Conservation Eeasements

Joined in 2023
Experience
B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University and Masters from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. Former Air Force officer, then technology startup exec, now focused on getting millions in funding to help farm owners maintain their land, while preserving wildlife habitat in the process.
Passion
Favorite species

Costa's hummingbird (Calypte costae)

Javier Granillo

Assistant Prescott
Preserve Restoration

Joined in 2025
Experience

I began volunteering with Oswit Land Trust 1 year ago, working with the maintenance crew, as a trail ambassador and helping with tabling at outreach events. Currently enrolled in College of the Desert, majoring in Natural Resources with a particular interest in desert and transition ecosystems.

Passion
Recently I’ve gotten into macrophotography, in particular close up shots of insects and flowering plants.
Favorite species
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx Californianus)

Jose Mendoza

Biologist Prescott
Preserve Restoration

Joined in 2025
Experience
Recent California State Polytechnic University, Pomona graduate ('25) with a B.S. in Plant Science and a minor in Pest & Disease Management. I completed my A.S. in Plant Science at College of the Desert where I learned about our unique desert flora and ecosystems. My academic interests led to being involved in multiple student-led research opportunities studying the soil biochemistry found at the Salton Sea. My background features extensive experience leading volunteers in watershed and ecological restoration initiatives in sage scrub habitats for San Diego Canyonlands consisting of native species restoration, invasive species mitigation, and teaching plant/soil ecology & stewardship.
Passion
What truly drives my work is a passion for studying the dynamic relationships between plants, soil, and fungi, seeing firsthand how these unseen connections underpin resilient ecosystems.
Favorite species

Among the desert's many wonders, the Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) holds a special place for me. My commute home takes me across several ecological transition zones and as I go higher and higher in elevation, I'm always on the lookout for the striking red blooms and explosion of fresh green foliage from Ocotillos after a rain event. It even propagates from cuttings and can be used to make a living fence!

David Paisley

Deputy Director & Community
Engagement Director

Joined in 2022
Experience

Over 30 years of development, donor relations, and volunteer management experience with nonprofits in California.

Supervised research teams conducting hundreds of qualitative and quantitive health and market research studies.

Passion

Wildlife advocate for all our regional desert communities.

Favorite species

Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens).

Tom Paolicelli

Assistant Director
of ACE Division

Joined in 2023
Experience

Started career working as a civil engineer before moving into a career in government finance & treasury mostly with the City of New York focusing on drinking and clean water infrastructure.

B.S. is Civil Engineering from the University at Buffalo and Masters in Public Administration from the University at Albany.

Passion
Favorite species

Favorite species: Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus)

Ray
Schneider

Conservation Land
Coordinator

Joined in 2025
Experience

I started my career in state parks as a maintenance aide before becoming a naturalist and ranger for county parks.

Passion

I love learning from the natural world and am proud to be part of a generation that grew up playing outside and developing a deep connection to nature.

Favorite species

Loves all species because they create a balance together.

Bettina Rosmarino

Land Acquisition
Director

Joined in 2019
Experience
Started a land trust in Southern Colorado 30 years ago, which is still going strong. Involved in species and habitat protection for over 30 years. Helped to produce a significant vegan music festival. Certified UC California Naturalist.
Passion
Favorite species

Loves all species because they create a balance together.

VOLUNTEER PROJECT LEADERS

Kurt Kosek

Bird Walk Coordinator

Joined in 2022
Experience
Certified UC California Naturalist in 2022. Long time member of the Audubon Society and Sierra Club. Avid birder.
Passion

Famous for homemade pizza and preserves.

Favorite species

Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps)

Nancy French

Graphic Designer

Joined in 2021
Experience
Performed in and produced multiple drag fundraisers for OLT.
 
Involved in pet rabbit rescue and adoption since 2008.
Passion
Favorite species

Desert Cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii).

Paul Wilkinson

Volunteer Coordinator

Joined in 2021
Experience
Currently retired and serving as HOA board president, had been a principal in an architectural firm working in design for 36+ years. Project-managed many large scale projects.
Passion
Hiking and wildlife
Favorite species

Coyote (Canis latrans clepticus)