Our Staff and Board of Directors

Co-founder, Executive Director
Megan Isadore
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Love at first sight: “The first time I saw river otters was early on a cold winter morning, from the banks of Lagunitas Creek. A sinuous line of four hunted their way back and forth across the narrow river, nosing under every rock and tree root. Their military formation was impressive! Every so often they chirped back and forth to each other, and every so often, one came up with a crayfish, which was dispatched with noisy crunching gusto. Enthralled, I followed them from a distance for a good half hour, until they stopped on a gravel bar to groom and roll, then disappeared into the willows.” 
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Co-founder, President, Research Director
Terence Carroll
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Nature remembers: “While traveling back and forth to Point Reyes Station, I would often stop at Olema Marsh. There was a small pond where some times I would see a family of river otters. I started to think in a different way about conserving habitat. Olema Marsh hadn’t been protected as a place to restore an otter population. The marsh — the habitat — was there, and the otters found their way back, as if they remembered where they came from. Over the years, that small pond progressed into a different kind of wetland, and the otter family moved on. But the idea that nature remembers where it came from has stayed with me as the touchstone of the conservation work I do.”
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Vice President
Richard Abramson
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When I retired, my wife and I bought a little house outside St. Helena, just a hundred yards or so from Lake Hennessey and from 1600-acre Moore Creek Park. Every morning, my dog Bear and I hike along the lake and up into the hills, tendrils of fog hanging over the water like smoke. It was there we encountered first one otter – standing imperiously on the trail, practically daring Bear to do something about it – and then, a few days later, four more in the water, diving and rising like ghosts. When the opportunity to join the River Otter Ecology Project’s board arose, I jumped at the chance. Too often, we take the beauty and tranquility of nature as a given, but the truth is that habitat is more fragile than we realize. ROEP’s mission – to understand, protect and educate – is of vital importance to the natural habitat upon which river otters, migratory birds and countless other creatures depend.
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Secretary
Mary Ellen King
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Having heroes in life is important: “My first heroes were the birds, ducks, squirrels, raccoons, otters, and other critters that survived in the brutal winters of Wisconsin where I grew up. They taught me about endurance and strength. Over the years I have come to admire some human heroes too. These are people who care deeply about the natural world and display courage and determination to speak and act on behalf of the environment and all its critters. When I met the River Otter Ecology Project folks, it was clear that this is an organization getting things done! Inspired leadership and a cadre of citizen science volunteers are making a difference — furthering our understanding of the natural world and how it supports us all.”
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Treasurer
Colleen Haraden-Gorski
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Sighting by sighting: “While paddling along Lagunitas Creek I heard the chirping of River Otters and saw a young family popping behind the reeds completely vanishing from view, except for mom who led me away from her little family. I was already a huge fan girl of the River Otter Ecology Project and River Otters, so I knew to add my sighting to the Otter Spotter page. A few weeks later I saw another River Otter near Berkeley Marina. Each sighting was a little gift and I look forward to seeing more. While growing up in San Diego, 1970s onward, I observed the pelican populations coming back after nearly being wiped out by DDT exposure. Seeing this population bounce back was hopeful and exciting — I have the same excitement and hopefulness where River Otters are concerned.”
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Board Member
Christine Banzon
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“Before the pandemic, I filled my life with long work hours and a dreadful commute. When the pandemic hit and my work went fully remote, I found myself with free time and a renewed perspective on how to spend that time. I replaced my commute with nature walks and it was during one of these walks that everything changed. While walking by a local pond on a summer eve, I spotted an otter mom with three rambunctious pups happily swimming, eating, and playing. I committed then to spending as much time as I could spotting otters and discovered River Otter Ecology Project. Along the way, I also discovered I was becoming more attuned to all aspects of nature surrounding me – birds, plants, the changing seasons, and more. My life is now filled with natural wonder, curiosity, and connection. I hope I can help and inspire others in finding their own meaningful connection with nature and even themselves.”

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Christine Banzon has held a lifelong love for the natural world and all things animals, science, and nature.

Whether hiking in the foothills, strolling by a local creek, or exploring coastal tidepools, Christine has always found going out and exploring nature as a favorite way to recharge, recenter, and become inspired.

Christine graduated from University of California, Santa Cruz with a Bachelor of Arts in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology. Throughout her career, Christine explored other interests in business, public relations, marketing, communications, and public speaking. Christine is Senior Vice President and Head of Marketing at Technology Credit Union (Tech CU). Christine is also a proud Toastmaster, having served mentorship and leadership roles as well as having won 1st and 2nd place in her Toastmasters Area & Division, Humorous Speech Content.

At this stage in Christine’s life journey, Christine is excited about learning new things and contributing in new ways to the world. Integrating her personal passion for nature and her professional expertise and skill, Christine is eager to contribute towards bringing the River Otter Ecology Project’s vision to life and inspiring others to build their own meaningful connections with our shared natural environment.

Christine lives in Concord California with her husband Bill, stepdaughter Audrey, and two cats, Amo and Presto.

Emeritus Board of Directors

• Robert Aston
• Sharon Barnett
• Ignacio Chapela
• Barry Deutsch
• Ceci Herrmann
• Craig Nikitas
• Christian Naventi
• Stori Oates