Birkin Newell developed a love of nature from growing up in Modjeska Canyon, nestled in the Santa Ana Mountains of Southern California.  After completing his Bachelor of Science Degree in Aquatic Biology from U.C. Santa Barbara, he has built a career around the outdoors.  He has worked as a naturalist for the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, the YMCA Point Bonita Outdoor Center, and Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary, where he managed a nature preserve.  Habitat restoration and natural resources management have also been a career focus, working for the U.S. Forest Service, UCSB’s Museum of Systematics and Ecology, the Sonoma County Water Agency, and Audubon Canyon Ranch.  He lives in Petaluma and enjoys hiking with his family, playing music, surfing, fishing, and mountain biking. Birkin can be reached at birkin@russianriverkeeper.org