“Hello,” from Daniel

My happy place, the beautiful Bear River near my home.

I am thrilled to join the hardworking team at Friends of the River as the new Engagement Manager. My passion for rivers and river communities has driven me to this role, and I am excited to contribute to our mission of protecting and restoring California’s rivers.

I am a Geographer – and I love planet Earth! I’ve been living on this planet for 42 years and got my undergraduate degree in Geography and GIS. As a kid I worshiped National Geographic and decided at a young age I wanted to do that…all of it! I’ve lived, worked, or studied in the Middle East, Central and South America, Europe and Asia. I’ve worked on various projects mapping river trash dumps, whale shark migration, sea turtle nesting, iceberg movement, laying out refugee camps, and mapping archaeological sites in caves.  

Missouri River Kayak Race to the Capital 2012.

Water is my happy place - Whether paddling, swimming, or simply enjoying the serenity of a river, water has shaped both my personal and professional life. I started my career surveying 800 miles of the lower Missouri River mapping trash deposits along each mile and hosting large-scale river cleanups across 5 states. The communities I encountered along the way inspired me to continue working to protect our rivers and understand how people and communities relate to these vital waterways.

I believe in nature therapy – Connecting people to nature helps us appreciate our planet’s resources and slows us down from the chaos. I spend a lot of time in nature, paddling, hiking, and camping. I’ve lived in communities surrounded by nature, rivers and wildlife and lived in communities surrounded by walls, traffic, and screens. I believe everyone should have access to nature and wild places.  

Above: Koda my water dog, one of many rescued animals on our farm. Left: Angel, aka our slow dog, a 45lb tortoise rescued in 2020.