Heidi has five years of non-profit and programming experience serving as Executive Director of the Children’s Museum of Eastern Oregon and the Panhandle Humane Society. She's incredibly passionate about TMPF's mission and her experience in managing educational programming helped the Students Stewards Program flourish since she began working here as AmeriCorps Program Director.

​Devin served nearly two years as a Naturalist Educator for Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation before starting as Student Stewards Program Director. He is originally from Grass Valley, California. He received his B.A. in English from the University of Nevada, Reno, with a minor in Spanish  In his free time, Devin enjoys riding mountain bikes and dirt bikes, and exploring Nevada's great outdoors. As VP of Education, Devin is excited to be a part of the continued growth of TMPF, and hopes to inspire the community through the SSP program. 

Elena serves as TMPF's Nature Study Area Vice President and has been working in environmental restoration since 2018. She was born and raised in the Reno-Sparks area and attended the University of Nevada, Reno for both her undergraduate and graduate studies. Elena holds a Bachelor's of Science in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation and a Master's of Science in Biology with an emphasis in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology. Elena was the recipient of the 2022 Wayne E Kirch Conservation Award from the Nevada Department of Wildlife which is given to someone who has demonstrated significant results toward conservation, management, or enhancement of wildlife. 

Jay is our Trails Program Manager and works to implement the goals of the Truckee Meadows Trails Initiative. He comes to us after a 30 year career with Nevada State Parks. His time with State Parks involved several years being a recreation specialist for the Nevada Tahoe Resource Team, and 13 years as park supervisor for Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park (Sand Harbor, Spooner Lake and Backcountry, Cave Rock, and Van Sickle). Jay loves the outdoors and is an avid hiker and mountain biker. And let's not forget, professional volunteer. Jay enjoys working with the Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society and Tahoe Mountain Bike Patrol.

Matt is the Communications Manager for Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation. After serving with TMPF as an AmeriCorps VISTA in 2017 he worked to promote AmeriCorps programs throughout Nevada for four years and is excited to be back at the place that started his journey in the nonprofit world. Matt studied Radio Television Production at the University of Montana and brings over a decade of experience to the TMPF communications team. When he isn't working you can find Matt watching baseball, hiking with his family, or being pulled behind a boat.

Kevin is a local to the Truckee Meadows where he received his Master’s of Education from the University of Nevada-Reno with a focus on Career and Technical Education. He enjoys hiking with his wife, geocaching with his daughter, and running or reading all by his lonesome. As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and a former AmeriCorps employee, he is excited to continue supporting national and community service with Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation.

Austin Cooper is a passionate outdoorsman whose life revolves around his love for nature. Born and raised in Reno, Nevada, he developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors from a young age. Whether it's deer hunting during the crisp autumn mornings or setting traps for fur-bearing animals in the winter, Austin thrives in the wild. His passion for ecology blossomed as he witnessed the delicate balance of nature firsthand. Austin pursued work in environmental science, eager to deepen his understanding of the ecosystems he cherished. Through his research, he became an advocate for conservation, working tirelessly to protect local habitats and educate others about the importance of preserving the environment. For Austin, the outdoors isn't just a hobby; it's a way of life. His unwavering passion for fishing, hunting, trapping, ecology and conservation defines him as a dedicated steward of the environment and a true lover of the wild.

Julia graduated from Western Connecticut State University earning a BS in Health Promotion Studies, with a concentration in community health and a minor in holistic health. Julia is passionate about helping people lead healthier and more active lifestyles. After graduating college she spent 2 months in Costa Rica studying yoga and meditation where she received her 200 hour YTT certification. Previously serving as the Programs and Events Coordinator, and VISTA Leader Julia is excited to join the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation staff as Camps and Youth Recretaion Manager.  Outside of work she loves practicing yoga, and spending her free time exploring the outdoors. 

Izzy is TMPF’s Youth Education Manager, bringing a diverse background and deep passion for environmental education. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Izzy has lived across the U.S. and abroad, with experiences in Ohio, Montana, Wyoming, England, and Nevada. She spent time as a Park Ranger for the National Park Service at Yellowstone, worked as a bat surveyor, coached lacrosse, and served as TMPF’s Lead Naturalist Educator in 2022.

With a wealth of experience in both environmental science and education, Izzy blends her love for nature with a commitment to inspiring environmental stewardship in young minds. Outside of work, she enjoys soaking in backcountry hot springs, capturing nature’s beauty on film, exploring national parks, and seeking adventure through hiking, backpacking, and camping.

Claire joined the Parks Foundation team in 2023. Claire grew up in Seattle, Washington but has since moved around the United States. She received her bachelor's in Geology with GIS and statistics minors from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. After school, Claire moved to Louisiana to do statistical machine learning and GIS analysis for the U.S. Geological Survey. Following this position, she found her way back to the west and settled in Incline Village, Nevada where she currently lives. In her freet ime, she can be found climbing peaks throughout the Sierra Nevada and making art. 

Shanna is the Administrator for the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation.  Originally from Colorado, she has lived in Northern Nevada for over 25 years.  She has over 15 years of experience in management, business operations and team leadership.  In her spare time, you can find her with her teenage daughter out in nature hiking, kayaking, fishing or camping as well as taking pictures of everything along the way!

Hello! My name is Peavine Pete and I’m the newest addition to Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation! I am a Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) and usually live in the deserts of Southern Nevada, but TMPF adopted me from the Northern Nevada Tortoise Group. Now I get to live in Northern Nevada! I’m between 10 and 15 years old, I can’t exactly remember, but I live to be about 80 in captivity, so 5 years doesn’t seem like much to forget. Sadly, my species is listed as THREATENED under the Endangered Species Act. Much of our tortoise habitat in the desert is being lost due to development, degraded from invasive species, or fragmented by roads or other impassable barriers. 

I enjoy long walks outside, cozy burrows and marigolds! I am passionate about the preservation of our beautiful local, desert outdoors spaces. I’m very excited to join the TMPF Team and to become an ambassador to the community for habitat conservation. Stop by Rosewood Nature Study Area and say hello!