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.

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. Her previous work experience was in western Washington and in southern California. Ashley’s experience includes running youth and adult education programs, volunteer coordination, organizational communications, and implementation of field and classroom outreach programs. Previously, Ashley worked in the recreation sector but is excited to focus on a broader array of programming that encompasses multiple aspects of conservation education. Ashley manages Napa RCD’s volunteer and community outreach programs, and works with other staff to ensure successful communication of Napa RCD’s projects. In her free time, Ashley loves volunteering for outdoor projects, and enjoys learning about her new surroundings by hiking.

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.

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.