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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Director of Public Programs Most all volunteers have met this charismatic bundle of energy--A.K.A Dave Raetz. Dave is the Director of Public Programs for the Irvine Ranch Conservancy. He leads, supervises and implements all Public Programs activities and projects to connect the public and user groups to the wildlands and parks on The Irvine Ranch. Dave also leads a team of professionals and approximately 200 volunteers who conduct interpretive tour programs on the land. "I love being responsible for introducing individuals to such a magnificent area," said Dave. "I routinely get comments like: "this place is really cool, I had no idea what was really out here". That kind of positive feedback continually reminds me why I love being a part of this team. I truly enjoy working with the Conservancy staff and volunteers. We are really connecting people to the land in so many great ways. I am fortunate to work with such great people in such a dynamic place." Prior to joining the Conservancy, Dave was at the Orange County Department of Education. He has more than 13 years of experience in environmental education and outreach. Dave has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. "Dave is a true leader in environmental education," said Michael O'Connell, Executive Director of the Irvine Ranch Conservancy. "His passion for connecting people to the land and his outstanding experience and vision are what make him an extremely valuable member of our team." In his free time, he enjoys being with his wife, Julia and their two children, Gavin and Natalie. Dave is an outdoor enthusiast at heart with a passion for bird watching. He always has his eyes open for different kinds of birds. Some thing that most people don’t know about Dave is that he has bred approximately 50 snakes at home and even has a pet tarantula! |
