New Executive Director selected
The Yolo Basin Foundation’s Board of Directors are pleased to announce Martha Diepenbrock as their new Executive Director.
“Martha Diepenbrock brings a deep background connecting young people with public lands and the environment through her work with the staterun California Conservation Corps and the locally-based Los Angeles Conservation Corps,” said Yolo Basin Foundation Board Chair Jan Smutny Jones. “Martha has served in leadership roles in nonprofit and government agencies and helped to start-up a number of community-based organizations. She will bring a steady, experienced hand to our team, and we’re excited to have her on board.”
Diepenbrock, who has already begun working with staff, noted that she is “thrilled to be joining the Yolo Basin Foundation community of talented and dedicated staff, an engaged Board, and many devoted volunteers.”
“I look forward to supporting and partnering with such a passionate team, to engage our community in experiences that foster an appreciation and stewardship of our local wetlands and wildlife, Diepenbrock continued”
The Foundation has adapted its educational programs to bring the Yolo Basin’s wetlands and wildlife into the homes of students of all ages.
“We have room in our schedule to bring our Discover the Flyway educational experiences to students engaged in distance learning,” said former Executive Director Chelsea Martinez. “Schools and teachers wanting to learn more about our programs can visit yolobasin.org.”
Martha takes over for Martínez, who will be staying with the Foundation in the Deputy Director’s role.
“We are lucky to have Martha joining our team,” said Martinez. “Her experience and skills will help ensure that Yolo Basin Foundation continues to grow and thrive.”
The Yolo Basin Foundation, founded in 1990, provides annual environmental education experiences to nearly 12,000 people of all ages and works to expand appreciation and stewardship of wetlands and wildlife in the Yolo Basin through education and innovative partnerships, with a focus on the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area between Davis and Sacramento. The Foundation works closely with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and a diverse group of stakeholders.
Diepenbrock lives in Davis and grew up in Sacramento. She attended UC Santa Cruz and has a master’s in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School. Martha is also a volunteer member of Yolo County’s Search and Rescue Team and heads up the Booster Club for Da Vinci Charter Academy.