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.

Ayden (Aydee) Zielke began her position as the Environmental Planner in March 2021. She previously worked for several consulting firms in Southern and Northern California and Hawaii, thoughtfully keeping environmental and cultural conservation close to her heart in all of her projects and work. She earned a Masters of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science from Humboldt State University, and Associates of Art in Natural Science and Mathematics from Mount San Antonio Community College, where her knowledge of Southern California’s unique environs and the understanding of the importance of preserving these extraordinary places was fostered, inspiring her career path.

She is thrilled to be able to focus her career on environmental and cultural preservation and restoration, as well as planning  recreational opportunities, including linking the CTC trail gaps, and  contributing to the River Parks noble mission.

During her leisure time, she enjoys the great outdoors, paddle boarding, swimming, surfing (summer), snowboarding (winter) hiking, camping, and biking, bouts of yoga, rock climbing, traveling, strumming her ukulele, and quality time with loved ones. She also dabbles into nature writing and creating science and art projects with her youngsters.

Christal spent seven years working for the County of San Diego at Public Works Roads Division and Health and Human Services before joining the SDRP JPA in September 2021. She was also previously the owner and operator of Ames Deli Mart in Truckee, CA for over 25 years. She loved serving the local clientele, as well as the weekend and holiday visitors.

When not working, she enjoys visiting her son, daughter and very amazing grandchild. You could also find her gardening, hiking, reading and dancing.

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 Bulay 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 several non-profit environmental organizations as a Project Manager. She had been working in the Park conducting non-native removal prior to her hire as a Park Ranger, which gave her a deeper understanding of the Park’s unique ecosystem. She was later promoted to Senior Interpretive Ranger. During her time with the Park, she has worked with thousands of students, volunteers and the community developing numerous programs.
She also serves as the Commissioner Chair for the City of Vista, Park and Recreation Commission and as the President for the Monarch Program, which she has been involved with since 1996. She feels 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 natural 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 California State University San Marcos in 2021 with a Masters in History with a digital history emphasis. She attended Humboldt State University in 2017 with a Bachelors in History and a Certificate in Museum and Gallery Practices. Since 2015 she has enjoyed working in library collections and historic preservation divisions of governmental agencies such as the Library of Congress, Redwood National Park, the City of Arcata, and City of Carlsbad. She hopes to increase internship opportunities available at SDRP and is excited to join the team and bring to life the rich history of the River Park region. Blanca enjoys hanging out with her wife & cats, cooking, 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.

Sarah joined the San Dieguito River Park team in January 2021. Though new to San Diego, Sarah is not new to parks; she spent 3 years as a Park Ranger for Maryland State Parks before making the military move to San Diego with her husband and step-daughter in 2019. Sarah spent her childhood camping with her family, and her high school summers in the woods of Virginia as a scout camp counselor building and inspiring passion for outdoor recreation. She earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Recreation and Parks Management from Frostburg State University in 2013 and has been furthering her parks career ever since. Sarah enjoys knitting, household projects, hiking with her dog, listening to podcasts, and exploring new places. She encourages you to get outside, and revel in the beauty of the San Dieguito River Watershed!

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir

Jose is a San Diego native that previously worked for the Escondido Ranger Division for two years. He is studying Criminal Justice for a career as a National Park Ranger. He’s excited to be apart of the team and excited to learn about conservation, habitat restoration, and the wildlife. He enjoys hiking, camping, kayaking, and skateboarding. He travels frequently and plans to visit all the National Parks. His favorite animals are the capybara and the red panda.

Anthony grew up in rural San Diego County and has a love and passion for nature and conservation. In 2017 Anthony joined the California Conservation Corps in Mendocino County where he gained foundational knowledge in trail work, salmon habitat restoration, and wildland firefighting. Anthony would later move back to rural San Diego County and join the CalFire Fuels Reduction Crew of San Diego for nearly 3 years. While with the CalFire Fuels Reduction Crew, Anthony would clear brush to build fire breaks for neighborhoods, help with control/prescribed burns, and fight wildfires in San Diego County. Now with San Dieguito River Park Anthony’s goals are to help park users learn more about San Diego’s Chaparral and restore the heavy affected oak trees. Anthony enjoys hiking, camping, running.

Dylan has lived in San Diego almost his whole life. Growing up he went to many national and state parks with family and as a part of the Boy Scouts, which instilled a love for nature and outdoor activities. Prior to working at the park, Dylan worked at a local winery in Escondido. He has a bachelor’s degree in history but may look to do further education in natural resources. In addition to the outdoors, he enjoys video games, wine or beer tasting, and traveling. Dylan’s favorite animal is horses. His inspiration for joining the San Dieguito River Park came from a love of hiking, including the frequent use of trails around Lake Hodges; by joining the SDRP, Dylan feels that he is giving back to the trails he has enjoyed utilizing so much.