Sierra Wildeor (pronounced Wilder) joined CalTrout in 2024 as the Director of Development, bringing over a decade of experience in nonprofit fundraising and organizational growth. A proud member of the Karuk Tribe, Sierra was inspired to join CalTrout because of its work on the historic Klamath Dam removal project and its strong partnerships with tribal communities across California. In this role, she oversees all aspects of CalTrout’s development efforts, including donor relations, major gifts, campaigns, planned giving, and corporate partnerships.
Sierra holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk!) and an MPA from the University of La Verne. Early experiences instilled in her the belief that community building and small acts of kindness can transform lives, inspiring her to dedicate her career to values-driven philanthropy, social impact, and advancing equity by pushing up against systemic barriers.
Outside of work, when she’s not chasing down (or carrying) one or both of her young sons or attempting to grow her conversational Spanish into true bilingualism, Sierra is chasing her next adventure—most likely on a rock wall or the side of a mountain.
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Peter Moyle is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology and Associate Director of the Center for Watershed Sciences, at UC Davis. He is author or co-author of more than 240 publications, including the definitive Inland Fishes of California (2002). He is co-author of the 2017 book, Floodplains: Processes and Management for Ecosystem Services. His research interests include conservation of aquatic species, habitats, and ecosystems, including salmon; ecology of fishes of the San Francisco Estuary; ecology of California stream fishes; impact of introduced aquatic organisms; and use of floodplains by fish.
Robert Lusardi is the California Trout/UC Davis Wild and Coldwater Fish Researcher focused on establishing the basis for long-term science specific to California Trout’s wild and coldwater fish initiatives. His work bridges the widening gap between academic science and applied conservation policy, ensuring that rapidly developing science informs conservation projects throughout California. Dr. Lusardi resides at the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences and works closely with Dr. Peter Moyle on numerous projects to help inform California Trout conservation policy. His recent research interests include Coho salmon on the Shasta River, the ecology of volcanic spring-fed rivers, inland trout conservation and management, and policy implications of trap and haul programs for anadromous fishes in California.
Patrick Samuel is the Conservation Program Coordinator for California Trout, a position he has held for almost two years, where he coordinates special research projects for California Trout, including the State of the Salmonids report. Prior to joining CalTrout, he worked with the Fisheries Leadership & Sustainability Forum, a non-profit that supports the eight federal regional fishery management councils around the country. Patrick got his start in fisheries as an undergraduate intern with NOAA Fisheries Protected Resources Division in Sacramento, and in his first field job as a crew member of the California Department of Fish & Wildlife’s Wild and Heritage Trout Program.