RECON Spring/Summer News & Updates

The start of 2023 has been marked by a historic wet season that has created exciting opportunities for us to advance our habitat restoration projects. Meanwhile, our environmental and planning projects have continued with successful coordination in a hybrid world.

We’re excited to announce that our Bay Area office has a new address in Oakland and introduce you to our new hires in San Diego. Our expansion has allowed us to continue providing our clients with the responsive and high-quality service they can expect from RECON. Check out the highlights below and be sure to follow us on social media for updates on all things happening at RECON!

Announcing Our New Oakland Office Location

Our Bay Area office has a new address: 875 75th Avenue, Oakland, CA 94621. RECON has serviced northern California since 2015 and this office will continue to be managed by Tim Buonaccorsi, our Northern California Restoration Director.

In addition, we are pleased to announce that we are hiring for several field positions in the Oakland area. We are hiring restoration supervisors, field crew chiefs, and field technicians to join our team. Visit our Careers page to learn more.

Click to Visit Our Careers Page

Welcome to the Team

RECON’s success over the past few years has allowed our staff to grow in both size and expertise. Join us in welcoming the newest members of the RECON team.

Chris Thomson
Biologist

Chris Thomson recently joined our biology team. A graduate of the University of Redlands, Chris has a B.S. in Environmental Science. Additionally, Chris has a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service permit for vernal pool branchiopods, coastal California gnatcatcher surveying and nest monitoring, and Quino checkerspot butterfly surveying. Chris is skilled at conducting habitat assessments, monitoring, and general wildlife surveys in a variety of habitats in southern California. Welcome Chris!

Megan Hughes, QSP, QISP
Restoration Analyst

Megan Hughes is a new addition to our habitat restoration team. Megan is a California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo graduate and has a B.S. in Environmental Management and Protection. Megan has QSP, QISP, and CISEC certifications and is experienced in Water Pollution Control Plans, water quality monitoring, and BMP installation and maintenance. Welcome Megan!

Annie Lee, AICP
Associate Environmental Planner

Our environmental consulting team welcomes Annie Lee, AICP, as an Associate Project Manager. Annie has a B.A. in Environmental Systems (Policy) with a minor in Urban Studies and Planning, as well as a CEQA Practice Certificate, from UC San Diego. Annie has been a practicing environmental planner for six years. Annie will be managing and preparing CEQA and NEPA documents for public agency and private development projects. Welcome Annie!

Danelle Gadia
Biologist

Danelle Gadia is the newest addition to our biology team. Danelle holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from CSU Long Beach and a GIS certificate from UC San Diego. Danelle assists with habitat assessments, vegetation monitoring, and open space management in San Diego. Welcome Danelle!

We are hiring: Accounting Supervisor; Regulator Permitting Specialist; Habitat Restoration Foreman; Habitat Restoration Field Technicians; Archaeology Resource Monitors

California Society for Ecological Restoration Conference

We were a proud sponsor and presenter at the 2023 California Society for Ecological Restoration Conference (April 13–15) in Davis. The conference was a valuable opportunity to connect with our colleagues and share insights and experiences. Katy Chappaz, Restoration Project Manager, presented Restore Biodiversity with Indigenous Methods: Lessons from the Kumeyaay People. This presentation discusses ecology from the perspective of California’s Indigenous people and how applying Indigenous knowledge to restoration can help both the land and its people. We are excited to apply the knowledge gained from this conference to our habitat restoration projects and are looking forward to next year’s conference in Riverside.

Click to Watch Katy’s Presentation

Association of Environmental Professionals Conference

RECON’s Senior Vice President, Michael Page, AICP, participated in the 2023 Association of Environmental Professionals Conference: Mountain Vibes & Lake Blues in Lake Tahoe. The conference was a great success, with over 500 attendees from throughout California. Interesting topics included tribal consultation under Assembly Bill 52, sustainable and resilient trails in the face of drought and wildfire, statutory exemptions from CEQA for sustainable transportation projects, and best practices for renewable energy projects. It was fulfilling to catch up with so many friends and colleagues. See you next year at the annual conference in Anaheim!

SANDAG’s Bike Anywhere Day

SANDAG’s Bike Anywhere Day was a great success! RECON hosted a pit stop on the morning of May 18 as part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability and community engagement. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with local cyclists and promote the many benefits of active transportation. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this event a success!

Looking Forward

As we move forward into the second half of 2023, we are looking forward to the continued success of our projects and taking on new challenges. Throughout this year, we will be featuring team members who are celebrating milestone work anniversaries from 5 to 45 years! Our team’s hard work and dedication are at the core of RECON’s success, and we can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together in the months ahead.