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John Deibner-Hanson
Hello! My name is John Deibner-Hanson. Aside from lengthy trips abroad, I have lived in Iowa for all 23 years, where I went to Wartburg College and earned my degree in Biology. After deciding that graduate school seemed too career-specific, I decided to apply for the Watershed Stewards Project, and here I am. I work in the southern-most tip of Mendocino County in the small town of Hopland. I moved out to California from Iowa after the New Year; I’ve been working for AmeriCorps’ WSP program for only a month or so, and I have already learned a great deal about myself. Hailing from Iowa, I like corn much more than most people around here; meat is a much larger part of my diet that your average NorCal bear; my hip flexors are sore whenever I get out of the drivers’ seat due to driving on these CRAZY California roads (compared to the straight highways in Iowa on which I can read the paper, talk on the phone, eat breakfast and even use the electric razor all while driving to work in the morning); and I can’t seem to kick my habit of “de-balling” (lint and such) all of my clothing as well others around me.
After leaving my family at home (Mom, Dad, sister & brother, 3 dogs, a rabbit, a long line of interbred guinea pigs and an annoying cockatiel I want to strangle), I seem to have quickly found a new family with my housemate Grace, field partner Brock, a Dalmatian named Pony Boy, a pig named Kevin Bacon (who will actually BE bacon soon), 6 egg chickens, a duck who seems to think he, too, is a chicken, and yes…another annoying bird who might get strangled if he doesn’t watch his beak!
While living in Hopland with a population of 817—check that…819 now—I first was skeptical wondering if boredom would soon set in and I would croak. Little did I realize that aside from the exciting and ever-growing work schedule, the large amount of wildlife, the plethora of wineries, and endless miles of pristine recreational lands, Hopland seems to be right in the geographical center of everywhere! The Humboldt Bay, the Lost Coast, San Francisco, Sacramento, Clear Lake and even Tahoe are easy half-day trips away!
Here at the Hopland Department of Fish and Game, I work with a wonderful crew of people (Brock, Derek, Dan, Gail & Henning) who all will drop what their doing on a dime to assist a lost Midwesterner. Currently, the education-based season is moving at a grueling pace and the field season is quickly approaching. It wasn’t until my wallet, camera and phone were stolen in Berkeley that I recognized Northern California is only NEAR perfect. I’m looking forward to this year in its entirety and I know I’ll have to “stop and smell the roses” every once in a while, knowing my experience here will be unforgettable.
Tom Dey
Tom Dey grew up in New York State enjoying year round outdoor activities including ice boating, backpacking, camping, spelunking and sailing. After graduating from the Fox Lane High School in Bedford, New York, Tom spent a year travelling with 15 other students throughout 40, 000 miles of North America living outdoors 7x24 and studying environmental issues by becoming part of the natural systems, rather than apart from them. This unique and rewarding program with the Trailside Country School, presently the Audubon Expedition Institute, provided Tom with leadership, educational, and social experiences unavailable in the traditional classroom situation. After completing the eleven month expedition, Tom earned his B.A. in Environmental Science from the State University of New York at Purchase, spending his summer months as an expedition leader for travel-study programs of Trailside. Post graduation he spent a couple of years working as a free lance photographer’s assistant in New York City, and as a cinematographer with a start up venture on 3D photographic medical technology.
Deciding that the “Big Apple” was not his preferred environment, Tom headed west to live in the open and wild spaces which he had previously explored during his Trailside adventures. After some time of backpacking on the Pacific Crest Trail, climbing Mt. Rainier, and exploring the Olympic Peninsula, he decided to take a completely different course in life by working for a fledging company that was challenging the status quo business model in the telecommunication industry transforming it from a monopolistic to a competitive business scenario. Landing an entry level job with MCI Telecommunications, Inc., Tom worked to build this relatively unheard of company into the 2nd largest telecommunication provider in America. After twenty three years of employment with MCI, he missed his passion of working on environmental issues and determined he had accomplished all he wanted too, leaving the company which had been acquired by the infamous WorldCom Inc. He returned to school to gain his Masters of Science in Environmental Management from the University of San Francisco.
With over seven years of academic study in Environmental Sciences he wanted to be involved with projects allowing opportunities in creating solutions, as opposed to sitting at desk and processing paper work. Upon discovering the opportunity provided by AmeriCorps Watershed Stewards’ Program, he applied for the assignment with Trinity County working for the County Natural Resources Planning department and the Resources Conservation District. Having previously backpacked through the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area, he had experienced the areas majestic natural beauty. Additionally, he was interested in working on the complex watershed management issues the area had been struggling with since the discovery of gold and to the present day unrequited thirst of California. Tom’s academic endeavors have focused on water management including land use and development issues in areas surroundings the Everglades National Park in Florida and his master’s project, an in depth study of arsenic in drinking water, including a comprehensive review of the toxicological profile, epidemiological studies, risk assessment and management for arsenic in drinking water, incorporating how scientists and policy planners can utilize the chronicles of regulating arsenic as an effective blueprint for the regulating other contaminants.
Tom enjoys providing support to community efforts on projects improving living conditions and has provided volunteer work to various organizations including the San Francisco Green Connect Project, Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program S.W.A.M.P., S.F.P.U.C. Citizen Advisory Committee, Shanti Organization, Community United Against Violence, and Pets Are Wonderful Support. He has been a resident of San Francisco for twenty three years and looks forward to getting involved with community projects in Trinity County during his eleven month assignment through the AmeriCorps Watershed Stewards’ Program.