Staff

Danielle joined Napa RCD in 2019. Much of her professional background is in environmental education, having worked as an interpretive ranger in Colorado, a wetlands ecology and conservation educator in the California central valley, and a camp naturalist in Point Reyes. She is certified in Project WET, Project Learning Tree, and is an AEOE Certified Environmental Educator. Danielle also provides technical assistance in Napa RCD’s forestry program. Danielle is interested in topics such as cultural and prescribed burning, fuels mitigation, and ecological post-fire responses/regeneration.  When not enjoying her time at work, Danielle loves camping, rock climbing, hiking, and live music at local venues.

Ali joined Napa RCD in 2022 to oversee its forestry programming, supporting forest health and wildfire resiliency in Napa County and the region more broadly. She is eager to apply her passion for strategic program development and implementation—and love of all things trees—to the growth of Napa RCD’s forestry programming. Through her prior experiences leading collaborative research programs, Ali has gained expertise in project and grant management, partnership development, and staff supervision and professional development. Ali received a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Tulane University and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Outside of work, Ali enjoys hiking, camping, gardening, cooking, volunteering at Little Moon Farm, and learning about the latest climate change solutions.

Monique joined Napa RCD in 2024. Having specialized in community engagement since 2019, her previous work history has centered on uplifting underrepresented voices in the natural and cultural resources field. Prior to joining the team at Napa RCD, Monique’s experiences include volunteer and youth program coordination, bilingual strategic communications and marketing , policy creation,  DEI centered training facilitation, and partnership building for the National Park Service. She is a member of the National Parks Conservation Association’s Next Generation Council which brings together young changemakers who explore effective methods of engaging youth in national park advocacy and protection. She is also a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association of Interpretation. Monique has a B.A in English Literature and Mass Communications from the University of Florida and is a Certified Interpretive Guide for natural and cultural resource programming. She is excited to grow Napa RCD’s community reach and hopes to strengthen collaborative processes between people and their natural surroundings. Monique grew up in Miami, Florida and enjoys birding, camping, gardening, and playing the bass. 

Frances has been working locally in the field of natural resources since 2007. She has a PhD in Plant Evolutionary Ecology from Michigan State University and a B.S. in Biology and Geology from Indiana University. She has a strong background in ecology, water quality, agricultural conservation, public education, and program administration. Frances oversees all of the LandSmart® programs including Conservation Planning, On-the-Ground, Water Management and the LandSmart® for Kids education programs as well as RCD’s volunteer and outreach programs. Since she joined the RCD in 2007, Frances has been involved with a diverse set of programs and initiatives, and she now plays an integral role in program development and fundraising, as well as collaboration with partner organizations. Frances enjoys hiking, botanizing, and all things food-related.

Ashley joined Napa RCD in 2019. She has a Master’s in Environmental Education from Western Washington University and experience running youth and adult education programs, volunteer coordination, organizational communications, and implementation of field and classroom outreach programs. Ashley is building out and managing Napa RCD’s volunteer programs, allowing local residents to get involved with local stewardship. In her free time, Ashley loves tending her houseplants, embroidery, and learning about her surroundings by hiking.

Lisa joined Napa RCD in 2024. She previously worked in Marin County for both the Parks and Public Works Departments on environmental compliance and permits, construction monitoring, mitigation, and wildlife monitoring and conservation projects. Before that she worked in various parts of California, including for the National Park Service, the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, and in consulting, and in the Midwest for both state and county natural resources departments. She earned her B.S. degree in zoology and psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her M.A. in conservation biology from Columbia University. She loves planting native plants that support wildlife of many families.

Lucas Patzek became Napa RCD’s Executive Director in 2018. He believes deeply in the District’s collaborative and non-regulatory approach to inspiring behavior change, and has experience working with similar Districts across California and Washington. Prior to joining Napa RCD, he served as County Director and Agriculture & Natural Resource Faculty with the Cooperative Extension Service in Washington, and as the Associate Executive Director of the Sonoma County-based non-profit Ag Innovations. He has also been involved in agricultural development efforts in Algeria, Cambodia, Mexico, and the European Union. Lucas received a Ph.D. in Crop Science from Washington State University and a B.S. in Biology from University of California at Santa Cruz. Outside of work he’s an art enthusiast and enjoys exploring wild spaces, growing delicious food, and doing it with friends and family.

Ruby has been working in environmental conservation since 2009. She has a M.S in Conservation Biology from Antioch University New England and a B.A in Environmental Studies from Prescott College. Ruby has worked with the USDA Agricultural Research Service (Crops Pathology and Genetics Research Unit at UC Davis) and the USDA Forest Service on the East Coast and in Puerto Rico. Her areas of expertise are in conservation planning and implementing restoration projects. Since joining Napa RCD in 2019, Ruby has helped many farmers complete Farm Conservation Plans, Carbon Farm Plans, and Pollinator Habitat Plans. Ruby also works with landowners to improve erosion control practices and is a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC). Ruby is passionate about working with landowners and managers to create habitat, protect water quality, and improve soil health. Ruby grew up in Puerto Rico and is fluent in Spanish. In her free time, Ruby enjoys surfing, fishing, cooking, crafting, and being out in nature.

Alex grew up in Sonoma and graduated from Napa New Technology High School. He has a B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Biology from the University of Nevada Reno and joined the Napa RCD in 2022. Prior to joining the RCD Alex worked for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever in Arkansas and Kansas. During his time in Arkansas Alex worked on a prescribed burn crew and assisted with projects improving wildlife habitat in oak woodlands and oak-hickory hardwood forests. In Kansas Alex partnered with the Natural Resource Conservation Service to write grazing management plans for landowners enrolled in NRCS programs and deliver technical assistance about increasing rangeland resilience to drought. Outside of work Alex enjoys reading, hiking, and sports.

Ben is the NRCS Field Engineer for Napa County. He joined the staff in December 2023 and supports staff with projects that require engineering practices across a wide variety of land uses. Ben has a BS in Engineering Physics from Fordham University and a MS in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University.

Noelle Takamori is from Honolulu, Hawaii and San Diego, CA. She earned her Bachelor’s in Biology from Norwich University in Vermont. Noelle previously worked for the Forest Service on the Eldorado National Forest where she surveyed for Spotted Owls. Some of her other experience includes working as a Forestry Technician on Travis Air Force Base and working as a Fisheries Technician collecting the snouts of adult chinook salmon in San Francisco and tagging juvenile chinook at 4 different hatcheries in Northern California. Her hobbies include learning to garden and listening to podcasts.