Leslie Adler-Ivanbrook (she/her)
Leslie is the Program Director for the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin (EAC) and helps primarily with the WIngs & Wild Things family day education program and volunteers. She has been living in West Marin for 17 years, where she has worked in education, aquaculture research, and coastal zone conservation. Her passion for the environment, especially the ocean, has fueled her love of environmental education, ocean protection, and climate action. She previously co-produced Outdoor Ed in the Watershed with EAC and was a program manager with Point Reyes National Seashore Association for over a decade, where she launched and developed their Science in the Seashore field trip program, which engages youth in hands-on science. She was previously an education representative on the Cordell Bank Sanctuary Advisory Council, the steering committee of West Marin Climate Action, and sat on the Flood Control Zone 10 Advisory Board for Marin County. Currently, Leslie is a co-chair of the Golden Gate MPA Collaborative. Leslie earned her undergraduate B.A. in Environment, Technology, and Society from Clark University and a graduate M.S. in Marine Science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Ashley Eagle-Gibbs (she/her) | French Speaker
Ashley is the Executive Director for the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin (EAC) and oversees the team managing the festival. She is a Marin County native and an environmental attorney who brings with her 20 years of combined experience in environmental policy, organizational management, advocacy, and litigation. While at EAC, she has grown our program capacity and launched and expanded our legal and policy internship program with a focus on climate, coastal, and freshwater issues. Her love for the outdoors and her desire to preserve the environment prompted her to obtain a law degree. Before joining EAC, she worked as an Associate Attorney at a public interest Plaintiff’s side water quality firm, Lawyers for Clean Water, Inc., where she fought for clean water and represented nonprofits like California Coastkeeper Alliance. Some of her additional professional experiences include working as a certified student clinician at Golden Gate’s Environmental Law and Justice Clinic and interning at the Center for Biological Diversity, as well as volunteering at the Natural Resources Defense Council, where she worked on the India Initiative, a project designed to increase the United States and India’s cooperation on energy efficiency and climate change. A graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law, she has Certificates of Specialization in both Public Interest and Environmental Law with Distinction. She also holds a B.A. in Comparative Sociology from the University of Puget Sound, with minors in French and Environmental Studies. 

Nicole Heslip (she/her)
Nicole manages our wine, beer, and other gifts-in-kind donations. Nicole brings extensive experience in business development, project management, and client stewardship. As a Bay Area native with a deep connection to California's landscapes, Nicole made a purposeful transition from the wine industry to the nonprofit sector, aligning her career with her longtime passion for community impact and philanthropy. Now a Development Associate at SF Playhouse, Nicole is thrilled to support the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin's (EAC) mission and contribute to preserving coastal Marin, one of her favorite places on earth. Her role on the festival committee allows her to blend her love for nature with her professional skills, helping to create a meaningful and memorable experience for the community. Nicole has a BA in Biology from Sonoma State University. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the outdoors through hiking, practicing yoga, attending live music events, traveling, mushroom hunting, and spending time along the stunning coastlines of West Marin.

Claire Hutkins Seda (she/her)
Claire is a former EAC Board Director and rejoins the festival committee with a lens on diversity, equity, and inclusion, copyediting, and keynote development and management. She is a communications professional, naturalist, writer, and editor, with two decades of experience in the climate, environment, and social justice spaces. She writes on environmental degradation, the climate crisis, and their effects on historically and socially marginalized people. For over a decade, she has worked at Migrant Clinicians Network, a nonprofit focused on health justice for migrants and asylum seekers, and is currently their Director of Communications, overseeing a five-person communications team and directing all aspects of their communications, including clinical publications, press relations, communication and marketing strategy, advocacy, and more. As a naturalist, Claire has trained docents in nature education and cultivated land connections for a wide public audience at multiple nonprofits, including Audubon Canyon Ranch, a Northern California environmental conservation and education organization. A native Californian, she spends her free time walking the coastal trails of the San Francisco Bay Area with her family or gardening in the fog.

Sarah Killingsworth (she/her)
Sarah is the Board President and serves in an advisory role for the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin (EAC). She is an award-winning wildlife conservation photographer, filmmaker, and writer, as well as an attorney and mediator. Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, she has lived in the Bay Area for 30 years. She received her J.D. from Stanford Law School with distinction. She splits her time between Greenbrae and Inverness. She is a certified California Naturalist and the Program Coordinator for the Keeping it Wild Youth Education and Outreach Program at Project Coyote. She is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Coho Salmon Land Trust and recently served a four-year term as an elected Trustee of the Kentfield School District. She also leads workshops with Conservation Kids, a nonprofit engaging youth with environmental issues through photography. She has volunteered with several local nonprofit organizations, including in Wildcare’s bird room. Sarah’s photography and writing have been featured in local and national media, in print and online. A frequent public speaker, she is passionate about sharing the magic of our wilderness areas with children, both by bringing the wild into classrooms and by getting our youth outdoors to learn about their environment. Learn more at www.sarahkillingsworth.com or on Instagram @skwildlifephotos.

Carolyn Longstreth (she/her)
Carolyn is on the Advisory Committee for the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin (EAC) and a former Board Director who co-founded the Point Reyes Birding & Nature Festival in 2010. She currently serves on the board of the Marin Chapter of the California Native Plant Society. She is an avid birder and the creator of the EAC's Birding by Ear at Point Reyes 2-CD set. She taught classes on birdsong at an Audubon Center in Connecticut and at past festivals.

Lyzy Lusterman (she/her)
Lyzy was born and raised in Marin County and is grateful both to call it home and for the opportunity to serve on the festival committee. She primarily helps with guide and keynote recruitment, but also hosts events at her bookstore during the festival. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from Bennington College, a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of San Francisco, and a professional background in publishing and marketing. She is also an avid birder! She is the owner and operator of Buteo Books, an independent specialty bookstore focused on birding, ornithology, and natural history. Follow on Instagram @buteobooks,

Dr. Gerald “Jerry” H. Meral, Ph.D. (he/him)
Jerry is a Board Director of the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin (EAC) and co-founder of the Point Reyes Birding & Nature Festival, a current festival guide, and has been on the committee in an advisory role, assisting with schedule development, guide recruitment, and keynote development since 2010. He is the Director of the California Water Program at the Natural Heritage Institute (NHI), an international conservation organization focused on restoring and preserving aquatic ecosystems. He directs NHI programs regarding the Bay Delta Conservation Plan, California groundwater, and other related water programs. He previously worked for Governor Edmond G. Brown, Jr., serving as California Natural Resources Agency Deputy Secretary for the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) for three years from 2011 to 2013. Dr. Meral was executive director of the Planning and Conservation League from 1983 to 2003. He served as deputy director of the California Department of Water Resources from 1975 to 1983 under Governor Brown. Dr. Meral holds a Ph.D. in zoology from the University of California, Berkeley. 

Patty Neubacher (she/her)
Patty is the Board Treasurer of Environmental Action Committee of West Marin (EAC) and has joined the committee in an advisory role, assisting with the festival development. A native Californian, Patty has lived in West Marin since 1986. Patty retired from the National Park Service after 33 years. Most recently, she served as Deputy Regional Director for the Pacific West Region, a region that includes the states of California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Hawaii as well as the territories of Guam, Saipan, and American Samoa. In addition to supervising park superintendents, she had programmatic responsibilities for Budget, Finance, Contracting, Information Technology, Facilities Management, and Human Resources. She is the recipient of the Department of Interior Meritorious Service Award and the Distinguished Service Award. Before working for the National Park Service, Patty worked as a grant administrator for Planned Parenthood of Northern California, Human Resources Director for a computer company, and Program Manager for an educational consulting firm. Patty sits on the Board of Directors for the Public Lands Conservancy and the Fund for People in Parks. She holds a BA in Social Sciences from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an MBA from the University of California, Davis.

Kelli Petersen (she/her)
Kelly is a Board Director of the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin (EAC) and has joined the committee in an advisory role to help with grants, schedule development, and event management. She has been a resident of Marin County for over 25 years, was raised in the small farming community of Winters, California, and finds West Marin quite like the community of her childhood. Her professional career was in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, with a focus on early-stage clinical development of compounds to treat cancers and rare genetic disorders. Kelli is a California Naturalist and volunteers with several conservation non-profits in order to help create healthy ecosystems for native plants and native wildlife in West Marin. She recently served a 4-year term as Secretary of the Drakes Summit Road Association in Inverness.

Colleen Richardson (she/her)
Colleen joins the festival committee with expertise in the culinary world and will be working with us on our catering menu and partners. With 20 years of experience as an adventure guide in over 20 states, Colleen’s passion for food and cooking began while studying in Rome, Italy, during her senior year of college. She lived in an apartment above a piazza called Campo de’ Fiori, and every morning an outdoor market full of fruit, vegetables, fish, cheese, and flowers would sing to her eyes and taste buds. After returning home and graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Washington, Colleen was determined to pursue a career in food. She attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, and received an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts. She spent a few years working in the East Coast food scene, including a growing season on a biodynamic farm in upstate New York called Hawthorne Valley. She has worked with several food purveyors through Marin and Sonoma counties. Through understanding how a vegetable begins as a seed and grows into a food that can be eaten, Colleen wants to teach others where their food comes from and how to gain the most nutrition from cooking.

Dallas Smith (he/him)
Dallas is on the festival committee and co-owner/guide of Point Reyes Adventure Co. (website includes his full CSV). He has over 20 years of experience as an adventure guide in over 20 states. Dallas is a seasoned professional who grew up in the outdoor recreational industry and can lead groups of all sizes. In addition to his work in the outdoor industry, Dallas is a dedicated environmentalist and community volunteer serving on the board of the Tomales Bay Foundation since 2016; he plays a crucial role in monitoring water quality, distributing grants for scientific research, and organizing educational events. He also lends his time and expertise to numerous other local organizations, making a positive impact on the community whenever he can. When he's not leading expeditions or volunteering, you can find Dallas honing his skills as a kayak repair technician, capturing stunning moments through his photography, or co-hosting the West Marin Naturalist Hour on KWMR 90.5FM.

Jessica Taylor (she/her)
Jessica is the Director of Engagement & Events for the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin (EAC) and serves as the staff lead for the festival. With two decades of experience in development—including 10 years with EAC—she brings a deep understanding of community and environmental stewardship and has been an asset in growing the organization over the past ten years. A resident and active member of the West Marin community for 26 years, Jessica has cultivated a lifelong connection to West Marin and to the landscapes she now works to protect. She serves on EAC’s Advisory Committee, chairs the Bird Festival Committee, and represents EAC on the West Marin Collaborative, a community partnership dedicated to illuminating local needs, strengthening coordination among service providers, empowering organizations to work together, and enhancing services—all with a shared vision of reducing health disparities and increasing community well-being. Jessica’s professional journey has been rooted in some of the country’s most treasured public lands. Her career has included positions with Yosemite National Park, Point Reyes National Seashore, and the Point Reyes National Seashore Association, giving her a rich perspective on conservation, interpretation, public lands, and the communities that surround them. Jessica holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, with a minor in Public Relations, from Sonoma State University; an Associate of Science in Forestry, with a minor in Interpretation; and an Associate of Arts from Reedley College. Her career and community work reflect a lifelong commitment to connecting people with place, inspiring stewardship, and celebrating the extraordinary natural world of West Marin.

Seamus Tomkins (he/him) | Spanish Speaker

Seamus, a longtime community connector, musician, naturalist, performer, and advocate for the people and places of West Marin. Seamus joins the festival committee with a particular lens on schedule development and guide recruitment, bringing his deep community connections, curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm for the natural world to the team. Seamus currently works as the Communications & Special Projects Coordinator for the Point Reyes Village Association. His roots in community service run deep: he first became involved with West Marin Community Services (WMCS) as a Food Pantry volunteer. His talent for building relationships and connecting people with resources quickly became apparent, and when the West Marin Community Response Team (CRT) was established, Seamus was a natural choice to help lead the effort. As CRT Program Manager, Seamus became a familiar and trusted presence throughout West Marin, organizing weekly COVID test distributions and serving as a go-to resource for vaccination pop-ups, public health information, and disaster preparedness resources. His commitment to community extends well beyond public health. He has served as the Development & Communications Coordinator at the Dance Palace Community & Cultural Center, as a lifeguard for Waterdogs for two years running, and has hosted a biweekly Youth DJ program in partnership with the WMCS Youth Center, helping young people explore their creativity and find their voices. Seamus is also deeply woven into West Marin’s cultural and creative life. He is co-creator and producer of Space Suit, a cosmic musical collaboration with Flyn Nichol, performed locally with his one-man band, Press on Randy, and is a contributor and host of the West Marin Naturalist Hour on KWMR 90.5 FM, where he shares his curiosity, knowledge, and appreciation for the natural world with listeners throughout the community. He is also an avid runner and devoted thespian, having performed with West Marin Community Theater.

Liz Wilhelm (she/her)
Liz is on the festival committee and co-owner/guide of Point Reyes Adventure Co. (website includes her full CSV). Liz is a festival guide and joins the committee with a lens on schedule development and guide recruitment. With a solid foundation in adventure from her Eco-Tourism and Adventure Travel Degree, Liz has been an integral part of the guiding community in Point Reyes for over 15 years. She is a certified massage therapist and yoga instructor, and she embodies holistic wellness alongside her environmental advocacy and community engagement. When she's not leading expeditions or lending a hand to local causes, she can be found sharing her knowledge as a co-host on the West Marin Naturalist Hour on KWMR 90.5FM, immersing herself in the beauty of the local landscape, or mingling with the community like the social butterfly she is.

David Wimpfheimer (he/him)
David is a Board Director of the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin (EAC) and co-founder of the Point Reyes Birding & Nature Festival, a current festival guide, and has been on the committee in an advisory role, assisting with schedule development, guide recruitment, and keynote development since 2010. He has joined the committee as a guide and in an advisory role, leading schedule development, guide recruitment, and keynote development since 2010. David is a biologist and naturalist who has a passion for the birds and the natural history of the West. He has been leading trips and expeditions for almost forty years, including classes for the Point Reyes Field Institute, Marin Agricultural Land Trust, and the California Academy of Sciences, as well as tours in Mexico, Alaska, Scotland, and other regions for groups including the Smithsonian Institution, Wild Wings, and Road Scholar.