Welcome to the CCRCD’s Watershed Program Blog! Here, we will let you know about upcoming events, and we’ll post watershed-related news, resources, and project updates. We’ll share images and ideas that inspire us to work hard every day to preserve the natural resources of Contra Costa County. We think they’ll inspire you, too!
Skills: Watershed management and coordination, grant writing, fundraising, events.
Fun Fact: Owns a marina, small urban farm, and a Scottish Highlander cattle ranch in the Delta. Loves music and silly hats!
Heidi Petty has been with the CCRCD since 2007. Her current position is Watershed Program Manager and Fundraising Coordinator, focusing on the Contra Costa side of the Carquinez Strait shoreline. In 1999, Heidi started a small bonsai and custom saltwater reef tank business named ‘Through the Looking Glass: A Living Art Studio’ in Crockett, CA, where she got an in-depth understanding of saltwater filtration and hydrology. Heidi has held numerous community leadership positions in the Crockett, Port Costa, and Rodeo area, including President of the local Chamber of Commerce and Board Member on the Crockett Community Services District. Her entrepreneurialism and government service background makes her a valuable asset to the RCD as a special government district.
She now lives on the river in Oakley, CA, and owns a marina and small urban farm as well as a 28-acre Highlander Cattle Ranch in the SF Delta. She is excited to expand her work by partnering with the technology industry to create innovative ways to help the environment through long-term partnerships and connecting tech to her restoration work.
Skills: Outreach, education, hydrology, monitoring, and data analysis.
Fun Fact: As the volunteer membership coordinator for Mount Diablo Interpretive Association, Lisa has sincerely thanked MDIA supporters almost 2,400 times since 2013.
Lisa moved to Contra Costa County in 1999 and has had the opportunity to work with the CCRCD-supported community groups in Marsh Creek, Kirker Creek, Mt Diablo Creek, Walnut Creek, Alhambra Creek and Pinole Creek Watersheds. She enjoys collaborations with students and interns, especially water quality monitoring projects, and has taught environmental education programs for The Lindsay Wildlife Experience and Contra Costa Water District.
Lisa also provides data analysis for Hydrocomp, Inc.’s streamflow forecasting model which helps agencies in California and the Pacific Northwest improve reservoir operations.
Lisa holds a B.S. in Geology and an M.S. in Water Resources Engineering from Stanford University.
Skills: Horticulture, CA native plants, invasive plant management, pollinators, environmental education, project management, grant writing
Fun Fact: Enjoys birding, photography, knitting, flower arranging, and traveling
Lisa serves as Watershed Conservation Manager for the Walnut Creek Watershed, she facilitates the Contra Costa Watershed Forum, and she leads the CCRCD’s Monarch Conservation Program. She joined the CCRCD’s staff in January 2019. She has worked on a range of projects to conserve Contra Costa County's watersheds and biodiversity including native plant establishment, pollinator habitat establishment, invasive plant management, environmental education programming, and creek restoration.
Lisa is from Los Angeles and has a BA with Honors in English from the University of California at Berkeley. She earned a Professional Sequence in Editing certificate from UC Berkeley Extension and worked in publishing for 10 years, primarily editing educational materials including science textbooks and curricula.
Her passion for nature led her back to school to study horticulture at Diablo Valley College where she earned a Nursery Technician certificate. She likes hiking with friends and family, eating chocolate, watching baseball, and creating beautiful things.
The Mission of the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District is to Facilitate Conservation and Stewardship of the Natural Resources in Contra Costa County.
