Park Staff

Shawna started her new role as the JPA’s Executive Director in November 2020. Shawna was the JPA’s Principal Planner for twenty years from 2000 to 2020. As the JPA’s leader, Shawna will continue the mission of the San Dieguito River Park JPA and its partners to implement the vision of a 55-mile long open space corridor including completing the Coast to Crest Trail. Before joining the JPA, Shawna managed a variety of environmental and land use projects while at private environmental consulting firms in San Diego. Shawna has a bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning (Cal Poly Pomona) and a master’s degree in Geography from SDSU. She is married and has two grown children. It is satisfying to see the outcome of all this hard work as a public benefit enjoyed by so many and the importance of this open space greenway treasure – the San Dieguito River Valley.

Brenda Miller began her position at the River Park in January 2014. Her previous experience has been a Business Manager of an import auto dealership, office manager of an independent auto repair facility and customer service for an online shopping rewards mall. She loves assisting staff with all projects and helping the Park visitors learn about the Park and the Coast to Crest Trail. Her goal is to hike and experience all of the trails in the Park. In her spare time she enjoys her grandchildren, volunteering for the Sons of Norway, Viking Festival, holiday bazaars, bowling, and watching live theater.

Jason has been with the JPA since August 1996. He oversees the SDRP Recreation programs at Lake Hodges, San Pasqual Valley, and at the Coast including setting maintenance standards, coordinating large projects, and providing quality control. He designs and constructs new trail projects and staging areas through working with Park staff, volunteers, contractors, and conservation crews. Jason is responsible for Habitat Management Plan implementation and monitoring. He analyzes recreation and conservation issues throughout the Focused Planning Area and writes reports and recommendations. He monitors operational budgets and Park resources. His knowledge of local land issues and regulations, natural and cultural resources, erosion control, trail construction, and habitat restoration benefits SDRP in the planning, management, and implementation of projects that are located in sensitive environments.

Before joining SDRP, Jason worked at the City of San Diego as a Lake Ranger, City of Escondido as a Lake Aid, and at Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation as a Park Aid. Jason also volunteered at Mission Trails Regional Park. He has a Bachelor of Science from Northern Arizona University. In 1999, Jason completed the respected California State Parks Advanced Trail Maintenance and Management Program. Since 1997, he has been certified by California Department of Pesticide Regulation to apply herbicides and currently holds a Qualified Applicators License. He is the principal scientific investigator for the Park’s Scientific Collection Permit issued by California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Jason is a third generation San Diegan and focused on the conservation of the natural history and culture of the region.

Leana has been with the Park since 2010. Before joining the Park, she studied tropical ecology in Costa Rica and then transferred to the University of California, Santa Cruz where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in Conservation Biology. While in college, she worked with the U.S. Forest Service as a Lead Biological Technician, Interpretive Specialist and a Wildland Firefighter. After graduating, she moved back to San Diego and worked with the Soil Ecology and Restoration Group and San Diego Conservation Resources Network as a Project Manager. She also continued to work for the Monarch Program as the Assistant Director. She is still on the board of directors for the Monarch Program, which she has been involved with since 1996. She had been working in the Park conducting non-native removal prior to her hire, which gave her a deeper understanding of the Park’s unique ecosystem. During her time with the Park she has worked with thousands of students, volunteers and the community developing numerous programs. She feels so grateful to be able to protect and educate about the Park she grew up in. She believes it is through understanding and appreciation we can save one of the remaining treasures in San Diego, the San Dieguito River Park.

He has been with the SDRP since 1999, was promoted to Senior Park Ranger in 2006, and has been Trails Manager since 2018. He has a degree in Parks and Recreation Management from Palomar College and has dedicated many years of his life studying the impacts that users have on trail systems and the surrounding environment. His continuing goal at the park is to provide a wonderful place to experience nature while preserving it for generations to come. In his spare time he is an avid mountain biker, hiker and rock climber.

Blanca joined the River Park team at the end of June 2020. She graduated from Humboldt State University in 2017 with a Bachelors in History and a Certificate in Museum and Gallery Practices and is now working towards a Masters in History with a digital history emphasis. Since 2015 she has enjoyed internships in library collections and historic preservation divisions of governmental agencies such as the Library of Congress, Redwood National Park, and the City of Arcata and hopes to increase internship opportunities available at SDRP. She is excited to join the team and bring to life the rich history of the River Park region. Blanca enjoys cooking, baking, collecting stationary, and reading.

Felipe has been a Park Ranger with the River Park family since July of 2013. His work experience includes being the son of a Carpenter/Handy Man, working as a lifeguard at a water feature park, and working for the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation for 7 years in the central coast district. His goals and motivations at the River Park are to continue to repair and build the Coast to Crest Trail, building rapport with patrons and our surrounding neighbors, and to provide great stewardship and excellent public service. His hobbies are surfing, playing sports, watching movies, and spending time with his family.

Brian joined San Dieguito River Park in March 2019. He has a background in Environmental Studies and Marketing. He spent 2 years working with California State Parks as a Senior Park Aide where his primary responsibilities were Visitor Services and Code Enforcement. Brian is looking forward to expanding his knowledge of the natural environment, building relationships, public safety, and helping others. In his spare time he enjoys surfing, golfing, backpacking, fly-fishing, and spending time outdoors on an adventure with friends.

Nate began his service as a Park Ranger for San Dieguito River Park July 1, 2019. Nate grew up in the back country of San Diego with over 2,000 acres of preserve as his back yard. Since his youth he has been immersed in nature and various micro-climates.

The outdoors became his passion and his lifestyle. Open-air recreation influenced his desire to protect, preserve and restore natural elements, striving to leave it better than when it was found. He shares the goals and visions of the River Park. As a SDRP Ranger he wishes to promote education, park progress, and opportunities for patrons to sustainably experience true wilderness.

Nate is equipped to provide emergency medical services with experience in national urban context and international wilderness context EMS. (NREMT & WEMT). He is happy to admit the best injury is the one that didn’t happen! He is licensed and certified by the FAA to operate Small Unmanned Aerial Systems. Aerial geo-referencing data is low impact and helps to keep our park pristine.

He previously worked as a supervisor for a land management and protection company. Working from generalized land management practices to specific and technical applications including low angle rope operations and helicopter insertions.

His hobbies include camping, hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, ocean sports, mountain biking, and finding time to be in the great outdoors.

Nate is happy to be a part of this team and learn from his partners. He is dedicated to empowering patrons to enjoy the park to the fullest. He wants to make a difference with his team expanding SDRP’s potential of the best JPA in California.

Avary joined the San Dieguito River Park team on February 11th, 2020. A native of the Pacific Northwest, Avary holds a Bachelors degree in Geography from San Diego State University and has been studying the varied landscape of San Diego since she relocated here ten years ago. She is a proud veteran of the United States Navy and is eager to build strong bonds and learn from her new teammates at SDRP. Avary is excited to engage and educate visitors on principles of stewardship and enjoying and respecting this precious natural asset. She enjoys spending time with her children and her partner. Avary also loves hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, fishing and camping.