Claire Elliott Retires!
We are celebrating the retirement of Claire Elliott, Grassroots Ecology’s very own tirelessly dedicated and enthusiastic employee of 17 years!
It is impossible to describe Claire's numerous contributions to Grassroots Ecology all in one place, but we will do our best. She is truly one of the most generous people that we know, always willing to share her time, knowledge, and love for plants and bugs and creeks with everyone. We are certain that she has inspired many budding naturalists and environmentalists just as she inspires us to stay curious and keep learning because nature is amazing!
We want to share a note of farewell from Claire, as well as anecdotes, memories and words of well-wishes for Claire from her friends and colleagues. We hope you enjoy these, and if you know Claire, it’s likely that some of them will even make you smile!
A Farewell from Claire:
Seventeen years at Grassroots Ecology! That is three times longer than any other job I have had. This long tenure is in part due to my passion for the organization’s mission but mostly because I enjoy and respect the entire team: staff, board, and volunteers!
Some of us go way back. Long-time board member and dedicated volunteer, Jerry Hearn, and I were on the San Mateo County Fish and Wildlife committee together 30 years ago. Jerry is an avid steward of the land and also our building! This spring he and PCC Board President Phil Bobel have worked so hard to repair rain damage to the building. Phil and I go even further back. He was my wonderful boss at the EPA in the early 80s and again at the City of Palo Alto in the mid 90s.
So how did I get to Grassroots Ecology? Growing up in LA County, I had few chances to be in nature, but I do remember two experiences that helped direct my career path. One was finding water penny beetle larvae on a trip with my mom to the sycamore-shaded creeks above Pasadena. The other was at age 14 when I was in school in Scotland for most of the year. My class went on a field trip to a wastewater treatment plant. The clear water coming out was such a contrast to what came into the plant. I still remember the awe I felt as a beautiful great blue heron lifted off and flew away downstream of the discharge pipe.
As a college student, I was fascinated by projects using natural biological ecosystems to treat wastewater. This struck me as the perfect melding of two interests—studying nature and cleaning up pollution. After a year studying limnology in Sweden followed by a masters in Environmental Engineering at Stanford, I found little funding was going to those types of projects.
After about 6 years with the EPA and about 6 years in consulting, I began a part-time job at the City of Palo Alto in order to have more time with my kids. My favorite responsibility was working with volunteers to monitor the impacts of wastewater discharge into Emily Renzel Pond down by 101 and Matadero Creek. Finally--a chance to study beneficial use of wastewater to create an aquatic ecosystem!
In the new millennium, I decided to move to the nonprofit world, in a capacity to allow me more time to study nature. I went to work at Hidden Villa, ran a volunteer monitoring program for Stevens and Permanente Creek watershed council, and became a docent at Stanford’s Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve.
Claire at Stulsaft Park
In 2006, I finally found my way to Acterra Stewardship (now Grassroots Ecology). I began as Education Coordinator. With funding to work with middle school students in Redwood City, I started a project at Stulsaft Park so we could have the kids walk from school (there were no funds for busing them to Arastradero.) Then when the Acterra Stewardship director left, I stepped into that role.
Two of my proudest accomplishments as director were helping to convince Los Altos to start our program at Redwood Grove and hiring Junko Bryant to direct that program. What a great choice that was! Soon after, the director of Acterra found he had an “Ace in the Hole,” in the form of board member Alex Von Feldt, who was the perfect candidate to lead the organization to where it is now—Grassroots Ecology with quadruple the staff and much greater geographic scope. And I am so glad she did. She is the best manager I have ever had and also a good friend. I am so delighted that she and Junko are now working together to co-direct Grassroots Ecology. They are both so capable, and complement each other well.
In my last years at Grassroots Ecology, I was fortunate to focus on what I love best: involving the community in hands-on restoration work, education, and community science. I helped to merge Stevens Creek Watershed Council into our fold. I also had a new opportunity to use nature to clean water—through Valley Water funded projects to slow, spread and sink stormwater, using rain barrels and rain gardens planted with local wildlife supporting plants!
I also helped start our first partnership with the Americorps-sponsored Watershed Stewards Program (WSP). Having been a Youth Conservation Corps Crew member in college, I saw the special bond that can be made with high school students, how good it feels to have them look up to you as a leader, and how much you both learn in the process. I am so delighted that the WSP program is now only one of a few ways we are bringing young adults in to help with our education and restoration projects. A bonus has been that several of our wonderful staff members have come to us through these programs.
About 10 years ago, Lynn Hori, a Paly teacher whose students I worked with in the 90s, encouraged us to start a California Naturalist program. Along with many of my wonderful co-workers at Grassroots Ecology, we taught 5 cohorts of that program, bringing Grassroots Ecology many good friends and supporters and two staff members! This includes Hannah Cunningham, an alumna of the program, who is now running the Cal Nat program for our college interns in the summer.
Claire (left) with the 2019 California Naturalist Class
I was only able to mention a few of the wonderful people I have worked with at Grassroots Ecology but I want to give them all a heart-felt thanks all for the help and camaraderie over the years. It is important that I mention one in particular--Paul Heiple--a geologist and botanist who with passion and humor taught me and so many other staff and volunteers so much, especially about the incredibly important connections between plants and the soil they grow in and the insects that eat them!
My first volunteer gig post-retirement will be at a UC reserve north of Truckee where in June, Lynn and I will be instructors for our second year of Sagehen Cal Nat students. Then I plan to travel to Alaska (on my bucket list for 50 years!) In the fall, I promise you will find me helping out Grassroots Ecology again!
Sincerely,
Claire
Claire at the Manresa Trail project at Redwood Grove in Los Altos
If you would like to make a donation to Grassroots Ecology in honor of Claire, your gift will go to support our Summer Naturalist Interns, one of the many programs at Grassroots Ecology that Claire was instrumental in building and one that is especially near and dear to her heart.
Stories of Claire
We’ve gathered some stories of gratitude and congratulations from staff and others that Claire has impacted throughout her time at Grassroots Ecology:
”Claire never fails to make me feel welcomed, whether she’s patiently explaining rain barrel maintenance, leading a nature walk, or just chatting during a potluck. Her knowledge and experience are immense, yet she stays so curious and humble. During one of our California Naturalist hikes, I asked Claire about an unfamiliar plant with triangular leaves and inconspicuous flowers growing along the path. She did not hesitate to stop with me to observe the plant, even though we were already falling behind everyone else. She recognized it as trail plant (Adenocaulon bicolor), but nevertheless took the time to key it with me. I will always remember that moment of exploration and wonder I got to share with Claire. Thank you for everything you do, and congratulations on your retirement!” -Stanley Gu, Grassroots Ecology Ecologist
”Claire Elliott is the keystone species of Grassroots Ecology – we wouldn't be us without Claire!! We met when I was fresh out of college as a Restoration Specialist on San Francisquito Creek, and I was lucky enough to be in her California Naturalist course for a truly thrilling first spring ever in the Bay Area. The following year I had the fortune of supporting her in administering the next class! To me, Claire's superpowers are endless. From making cordage to irrigation magic to unbelievable species ID to ensuring both volunteers and staff feel absolutely positively welcome, she's always been the Ecologist that I look up to and admire! I can't wait for more hand lens exploration with the ever creative, honest, and loving Claire Elliott, and I wish her all the best in her retirement! Congratulations Claire, we love you!”
-Valerie Lee, Grassroots Ecology Community Engagement Manager
”Claire was instrumental in getting me this job. I remember meeting her for the first time when I volunteered to teach "Bug Week" with Joanne and Sara way back when. She and I are also kindred spirits in clothing alteration and mending because we all know everything we get off the rack will never fit just right! She has taught me so much as what an ecologist is at Grassroots, I have yet to learn everything she knows! Especially these fabled spots along SFito Creek where there is a bunch of plant diversity!”
-Shelley Pneh, Grassroots Ecology Ecologist
Claire and staff at Hendrys Creek in 2018
”Claire was the first person I met from Grassroots Ecology, and really the first person who I learned from about California's ecology. I was so in awe of her knowledge and dedication to teaching and interpreting. During my CalNat course, she introduced me to countless plants and nature facts. More simply, she helped me find a place for myself in nature and with community. She is so welcoming, encouraging, and passionate! Her little stories about a plant or animal always stick with me, and now I find myself sharing them with others. It makes me smile when I remember I learned one of those stories from Claire! I'm so grateful to have been able to learn and work alongside her.” -Hannah Cunningham, Grassroots Ecology Ecologist
“I think I first met Claire when she was tabling at a native plant conference or watershed conference. I immediately felt a kinship. I was so impressed with her depth of knowledge and her enthusiasm. One of my first Acterra Stewardship events was installing rain barrels at Arastradero Preserve. Claire was the main organizer and had me climbing into barrels to attached fittings. I loved that workshop and I was hooked on this organization, then known as Acterra stewardship. Claire was also my instructor for water quality monitoring – learned a lot from her. One time Claire and I ran into each other at a cafe and we both were with our daughters. We introduced each other to our daughters as the Creeky Ladies.”
-Kit Gordon, Grassroots Ecology Board President
“It has been such a pleasure working with Claire throughout my time at Grassroots Ecology. Having her knowledge and warming presence has always brought out a great time around her. My first memories of Claire was helping her and Shelley with rain barrel maintenance in my first week as a WSP Corpsmember, she was an expert at the job and so kind to lead us through the building process. I will miss seeing her at our staff meetups and her yummy candied almonds (can never get enough)!! But I am sure I will see her around Palo Alto spreading native plant seeds in the neighborhood. Enjoy retirement Claire. :)”
-Paola Bueno, Grassroots Ecology Restoration Specialist
Claire leading a field trip with the 2019 California Naturalist Class
“There are so many amazing qualities about Claire that make her such a delightful mentor and person. She shares her curiosity and contagious enthusiasm about the natural world in a way that inspires people to seek their own intellectual and emotional connection with the outdoors, and to find community in staff and volunteers searching for the same.
Claire's curiosity leads her to always be asking questions and innovating on ways to try new things. I wish I could remember where this happened, but on a staff restoration day somewhere, we were working in a shady section of trail where the fluffy seeds of some invasive plant were creating a patchy, white carpet in places. Claire had come prepared — she had brought a handheld vacuum cleaner to the workday to try out; it was quite funny to hear the whirring of the little machine out in the woods. It was not a perfect solution as the seeds were not as easily vacuumed as she hoped, and I think the capacity of the machine was minimal enough that it had to be emptied often. But still, it was a fun experiment that demonstrated Claire's curiosity and how she is always striving to learn and push boundaries in her work.
Claire is also a wonderful listener. She always made herself available to talk and coach as needed, even when her time was already spread thin. I'm forever grateful to know her and have worked with her!”
-Erin Banks Rusby, Former Grassroots Ecology Employee
“Even though we have only known each other since January, Claire has made a big impact on me with her positive and caring personality. Her knowledge of the native plants at Stulsaft is seriously impressive! Whenever we've talked about them, her passion and enthusiasm have been contagious. I've learned so much from Claire, and I hope our paths cross again so I can continue learning from her wealth of knowledge. Claire, I can't thank you enough for all the help you provided during the Woodside field trips. It was clear that your kindness and patience made a world of difference to them. I'm so glad we got to have your last day working with the kids at Stulsaft—it was truly a memorable and heartwarming experience. I hope your retirement is as vibrant and beautiful as the native plants you've taught us about.”
-Laurel Wee, Grassroots Ecology Project Lead
”I feel so lucky to have worked with Claire Elliott. I took the California Naturalist class during the "pandemic year," when nearly the whole class was online. I was skeptical that we'd be able to get to know other participants and feel a sense of community, but I was amazed at how Claire made it feel welcoming, worthwhile, and so much fun. She is so creative in her education ideas; I have a really fond memory of all our classmates dressed up as different species during our animals week on Zoom. Luckily, I've gotten to work with Claire outside since then and she's shown me how a great educator can spread their knowledge and passion for the natural world. Thank you, Claire!” -Emily Sharp, Grassroots Ecology Project and Operations Lead
Claire planting native grasses at Bear Creek Redwoods in 2023
“I have so many memories of working with Claire. Her creativity and positivity working with youth and volunteers was admirable, although what always impressed me about Claire was how she used these traits of creativity and positivity in dealing with unforeseen issues that would inevitably crop up at an event. For example, we had this program to replace unused lawns with native plant meadows at Palo Alto schools. At one school, we were planting hundreds of grass plugs with several classes of students. The ground was rock solid, and we were working with students as young as kindergarten. There was no way we were going to be able to dig in all of these plants using little trowels. So, Claire comes up with the innovative solution of drilling pilot holes into the hard ground with a hand drill and then giving the students wooden trowels to clear the dirt and plant the plug. The morning of our event, Claire was drilling hundreds of holes so that these students would all get the experience of planting their school's native meadow. She took breaks from the drilling to welcome each class of students to explain what plants they would be planting and how these plants would help insects not get the "crummies in their tummies." And she did this all with her characteristic good nature.” -Alex Von Feldt, Grassroots Ecology Co-Executive Director
“I’ve spent very little time with Claire in person, but each time I have been in her presence, she never fails to make me smile and fill me with awe of her vast knowledge about so many things! She is generous with that knowledge and emanates kindness and good humor. I feel lucky that our time at Grassroots Ecology overlapped even just a little. Cheers to you, Claire!” -Kate Dolkas, Grassroots Ecology Development Director
“I always love to have another Claire at my job, so I was very happy to meet Claire E at Grassroots Ecology. A kind and thoughtful human who likes to get out and have fun. What an inspiration.”
-Claire Grist, Grassroots Ecology Project Manager
“I haven't known Claire for very long but I am so glad I got to meet her during my WSP term. She helped us install the irrigation for Brooke's garden at McClellan and we had a great time chatting and hearing her stories (in addition to learning how to install irrigation). When we were doing the pollinator monitoring at Southgate, Claire biked over to give me some irrigation hose clamps and also gave me a hug. It was just a hug, but it really brightened my day. She always brings such a positive energy to every interaction! I hope that she has a wonderful trip up to the Yukon in her camper van and many more retirement adventures.”
-Serena Myjer, Grassroots Ecology WSP Member
Isabel, Claire, and Serena at McClellan Ranch Preserve
“Claire, congrats on your retirement! I always seem to learn something when I’m around you about plants or something water-related. Thank you for your intelligence, commitment, kind heart and all the good you’ve provided to the organizations you’ve worked for. Love and big hugs, Julie Weiss.” -Julie Weiss,
City of Palo Alto Staff
“OK this turned into more of a list...
Favorite Claire engineering feat: The pump contraption she set up to use with a hose and a 200(?)-gallon tank on the back of the truck -- our first foray into recycled water!
My most often repeated fun fact about Claire: I attended her 50th AND 60th birthday parties even though I only knew her for 6 or 7 years at the time.
Favorite office memory: Claire walking in the door with a pile of bags, some sort of food for the sharing drawer (hopefully candied almonds), and a story about how something or other delayed her getting out the door this morning.
Claire and lunch: Her use of the tiny cast iron skillet to heat up food in the toaster oven is iconic.
Endurance award: The two of us finishing the last touches on the PCC irrigation with a flashlight because it got dark and we were "almost done"
Cool trick: The shaken-jar-of-soil method yielded the same results as a soil composition test that the City of Palo Alto paid a lab somewhere around $200 to run
Why Claire embodies the Grassroots Ecology spirit: She loves native plants and critters of all sizes, she is a natural teacher, and she has an innate need to take action, especially if there is a privet standing in the way!”
-Junko Bryant, Grassroots Ecology Co-Executive Director
“I have learned so much from you Claire! On my very first day at Grassroots Ecology we were on a staff hike and Claire asked about my native grass ID skills—I was stumped. After taking her California Naturalist course, and just generally being around her these past four years, it is safe to say I’ve come a long way. Did you know our state grass is purple needlegrass? Congratulations Claire, enjoy all of your next adventures!!” -Emily Repech, Grassroots Ecology Communications Manager
Claire leading her last field trip with Woodside High School at Stulsaft Park in Redwood City
“On the day of the WSP welcome potluck I remember Claire's excitement to show me a bug activity that she'd made for young people to learn bug parts — that was a key moment where I knew that I was going to be working with some awesome people for the next year. More recently, watching and learning from Claire during the Woodside field trips at Stulsaft felt SO special. I remember hearing Claire say that this was the last day she'd be leading education lessons, so shadowing her lesson felt like a privilege. Claire does a great job encouraging confidence in others with her passion and knowledge and I feel lucky to have known her for this brief amount of time. :)” -Dmi Rodriguez, Grassroots Ecology WSP Member
“Whenever I see Claire, I can feel my spirits lift immediately. She’s someone who I felt instantly at ease with when I started working at Grassroots. Every time I talk to her I know I will hear a new interesting story and be inspired by how much energy and curiosity she has. Serena, Isabel and I are constantly saying to each other: I want to be just like Claire when I grow up! Her retirement is so bittersweet because I wish I could work with her forever. But I’m going to hold her to her word that she’ll still be around to spend time with us in between all her new adventures. Congratulations, Claire! You’re the best!” -Stephanie Saffouri, Grassroots Ecology Project Lead
If you would like to make a donation to Grassroots Ecology in honor of Claire, your gift will go to support our Summer Naturalist Interns, one of the many programs at Grassroots Ecology that Claire was instrumental in building and one that is especially near and dear to her heart.