Executive Director:

     Lisa Shipek

Staff:

     James MacAdam, Watershed Outreach Coordinator   

     Danielle Charbonneau, Volunteer Administrative Support

     Matthew Bertrand , Water Harvesting Co-op Coordinator

Interns:

Volunteers:

Numerous members of our community that tirelessly and enthusiastically assist us with our various projects 

Board of Directors:

Advisory Board Members:

Lisa Shipek, Executive Director

Lisa Shipek is passionate about forging the connection between people and the environment.  With a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Masters in Latin American Studies, she believes the most effective way to improve the environment is through community development.  As Executive Director of Watershed Management Group, Lisa focuses on developing projects that involve collaborative learning, building community knowledge and pride, and enhancing natural resources.  In Lisa’s free time, she enjoys playing and coaching Ultimate Frisbee, gardening, and traveling. 

James MacAdam, Watershed Outreach Coordinator

Since earning a degree in Environmental Studies from Prescott College in 2001, James has pursued a diverse career as a naturalist, plant biologist, yoga instructor, freelance writer and sustainability advocate.  The common thread throughout it all has been his love for people and nature, and a desire to bring the two together.  James is certified in Permaculture Design, and is a LEED-Accredited Professional.  His work with WMG currently centers on a pilot project in a Tucson neighborhood to teach and empower residents to improve water quality in their own streets, yards and local washes.

Danielle Charbonneau, Volunteer Administrative Support

Danielle Charbonneau, a dedicated volunteer, provides regular administrative and bookkeeping support to Watershed Management Group.  With degrees in Sociology and Education, and a wide-range of professional experience securely under her belt, Danielle enjoys directly assisting the executive director and balancing the books to the penny. In her spare time, Danielle reads a plethora of non-fiction and how-to books, and takes to the yoga mat to remain sane and flexible.  She welcomes rain on her small plot of land in East Central Tucson via beautiful earthworks, and is grateful for the gift of rainwater that flows to her cistern. Her favorite time of day is dusk to enjoy one last bird song.

Matthew Bertrand, Water Harvesting Co-op Coordinator

Matthew graduated from ASU with a degree in literature in 2006, and then left to travel and teach English in Ecuador.  He became interested in water harvesting and sustainability issues when volunteering at the Nature Conservancy's site while visiting home from Ecuador.  After he returned permanently to Tucson, he became an AmeriCorps member for the Volunteer Center of Southern Arizona's Youth Volunteer Corps.  There, he leads service learning projects for youths which focus on themes of sustainability.  His work with WMG currently centers on the creation of a water harvesting co-op through which homeowners can help each other to expand their home water harvesting capabilities. 

Pierre Bondoumbou, Board of Directors, Treasurer

Pierre Bondoumbou joins WMG with a special interest in expanding its mission and vision internationally and specifically in Africa. Pierre before receiving a Master’s Degree in Renewable Natural Resources at the University of Arizona worked as a forest resource management chief planner in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is currently working in Tucson, Az for A.I.R.E.S Inc, as a developmental support professional where he assists people with disabilities to achieve their full life potential. Pierre has extensive experience working with diverse groups and is fluent in English, French, Russian and two African languages.

Ross Bryant, Board of Directors

Ross Bryant has been involved in community issues since moving to Tucson in 1988. He is interested in approaching problems, both social and environmental, at the neighborhood level. He has been an active participant in his neighborhood association as vice president and president.  He believes that implementation of sustainable resource projects such as water conservation is highly effective at the the community level. The success of community projects can serve as a catalyst for larger-scale projects with expanding goals and a wider audience. Ross has a technical background in remote sensing and scientific computing and enjoys interesting books and the beauty of the Sonoran desert in his spare time. 

Jared Buono, Board of Directors

Jared Buono, a founding member of WMG, is presently completing his doctoral research in Watershed Management at the University of Arizona. Motivated by his experiences working in rural Africa, Jared endeavors to combat poverty and enhance quality of life by combining the technical aspects of soil and water conservation with community development principles. In addition to assisting with fundraising, administration and technical support of WMG's mission, he is currently developing plans to open a branch office of WMG in South India.

 Gina Chorover, Board of Directors

Gina Chorover brings extensive experience in strategic planning and management with a special interest in sustainable urban development to the board. Her professional interests are in sustainable regional planning, water policy and creating livable communities. Gina has a Master's Degree in Landscape Architecture and a Master's Degree in Business Administration. She has worked as a consultant, planner, landscape designer, and community health educator. She shares her home with her husband, two teenagers and two dogs. In her free time, she likes to hike, camp, ski, garden, read, and travel. 

Greg Corman, Advisory Board Member

Greg Corman is the owner of Gardening Insights, a Tucson landscape design and horticultural consulting company. His experience includes thirty years of horticultural and design work, mostly in desert areas of Australia, the Middle East, and the Southwestern US.  An avid hiker and plant geek, he is always looking for new species for landscaping and new ways to use plants to create interesting and enjoyable landscapes. He also loves exploring salvage yards for great stuff to turn into sculptures and garden features. Greg is well known in Tucson for his innovative classes on landscape design and he is the Southwest expert for the online gardening education site Learn2Grow.com. He is on the board of the Drylands Institute and an advisory committee member for the University of Arizona Arboretum. Greg has BS and MS degrees in Agriculture from the University of Arizona and the University of Maryland, respectively. 

Emmy Creigh, Board of Directors,Secretary

Emmy Creigh has resided in Tucson since 1960. After decades in education, she recently shifted her focus to the environment. She attended WMG’s Earth Day Celebration in 2007 and immediately became not only an intern but also a member of the Board of Directors; she currently serves as Treasurer. By bringing her organizational and planning skills into play, Emmy hopes to help give Tucsonans the knowledge and skills necessary to harvest rainwater and achieve sustainability, both for themselves and for the community. As the proud owner of a 900+ gallon cistern, she challenges everyone to put their shovels where their hearts are and get involved now in harvesting rainwater at home and in their communities.

 Elizabeth Desser, Board Member-at-Large

Elizabeth Desser believes knowledge and skill transfer by direct participation is key to lasting positive change.  Elizabeth has gained invaluable experience and insight as a Peace Corps volunteer and later an agroforestry extension agent throughout Africa. Elizabeth is currently studying geosciences at the University of Arizona to further her ability to help communities manage their resources and become self-sufficient.  She brings a deep enthusiasm in developing watershed management initiatives overseas and is passionate about preservation and conservation of waterways, especially in drylands around the world.

Torey Ligon, Board of Directors, Vice-Chair

Torey Ligon has a long term commitment to sustainable living practices and a special interest in food production and distribution. As a Tucson resident, she realizes that water management is an integral part of any local food system, and she hopes to see a more robust and diversified local agriculture network in Southern Arizona in the near future. Torey has a degree in public policy from Oberlin College, and a certification in permaculture design. She is also a Master Watershed Steward and a docent at the Nature Conservancy leading tours of TNC's property to highlight many techniques for harvesting water.  Torey brings experience in community outreach and sustainability education to the WMG Board and welcomes the opportunity to promote water harvesting as a means to responsibly grow food in the desert.  In her spare time, she enjoys biking, gardening, reading, cooking, and learning about the desert.

Steve Safken, Board Member-at-Large

Steve Safken has been a long-time student of permaculture, community building and sustainable housing (using pumice-crete a lightweight foam concrete). Steve has also designed and built the largest adobe dome in North America. Steve specializes in laser electro-optic technology with a passion for geography and environmental studies. His move to Tucson in 1999 renewed his interest in solar energy and water harvesting. Steve believes that action is greater than words which he demonstrates through his involvement with WMG to improve the quality of life in southern Arizona communities.

Catlow Shipek, Board of Directors, Chair

Catlow Shipek is a founding member of WMG and currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors. Catlow and fellow co-founders based the philosophy of WMG on the watershed model using water as a link to bring stakeholders together. He is very active in WMG through leading workshops and managing the website and quarterly newsletter. He received a Masters of Science in Watershed Management from the University of Arizona. He currently works as a hydrologic technician studying the efficacy of soil erosion control techniques on southwestern rangelands with the USDA ARS Southwest Watershed Research Center located in Tucson, Arizona. If he is not volunteering at a WMG project site, you might catch a glimpse of him bike commuting or running in and around the Tucson area.