San Dieguito River Park Headquarters
18372 Sycamore Creek Road
Escondido, CA 92025
Phone: (858) 674-2270
Fax: (858) 674-2280
Email: sdrp@sdrp.org
Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead
12655 Sunset Drive
Escondido, CA 92025
(858) 674-2270 x18
Executive Director
Shawna Anderson, AICP
(858) 674-2270 x13
shawna@sdrp.org

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.
Environmental Planner
Office Manager
Dewanda Vandermost
(858) 674-2270 x10
Dewanda@sdrp.org

Dewanda joined the park in spring of 2023. Her past experiences in various fields of accounting, office management, sales, property management and working in a team environment have made her the perfect match for our office manager, bookkeeper, and administrative assistant.
Born and raised in Escondido, Dewanda feels right at home working for the park and supporting the environment she so loves. She raised three children and has the great blessing of getting to be their mom and their friend.
Her favorite place to be is “outside”. She loves to go horseback riding, hiking, traveling and is now learning to mountain bike!
Resources & Trails Manager
Jason Lopez
(858) 674-2270 x16
jason@sdrp.org
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.
Senior Interpretive Ranger
Leana Bulay
(858) 674-2270 x14
leana@sdrp.org
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.
Trails Manager
David Hekel
(858) 674-2270 x17
david@sdrp.org
Interpretive Ranger
Calei Heaslet
(858) 674-2270 x18
calei@sdrp.org
Senior Park Ranger
Felipe Franco-Ortiz
(858) 674-2270 x23
felipe@sdrp.org
Park Ranger I
Sarah Stevens
(858) 674-2270 x21
sarah@sdrp.org
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir
Park Ranger I
Jose Cruz Lopez
jose@sdrp.org
Park Ranger I
Dylan Goldbach
dylan@sdrp.org
Park Ranger Aide
Elias Rocha