Erin Donley Marineau
California Programs Director

Erin is passionate about connecting people and natural resources to find win-win solutions. She comes to The Freshwater Trust with more than ten years of experience working to restore and reconcile the integrity of ecosystem functions while also helping people understand and value natural resources in their lives.

She has gained her diverse experiences through applied research and professional leadership in the non-profit, academic, and government sectors, including work with the United States Department of Agriculture, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and Tree Davis, a community-based climate change adaptation and urban forestry organization. Erin holds a Ph.D. in Entomology with a focus on aquatic invertebrates and limnology from the University of California, Davis. She also holds dual Master’s degrees (MS/MPA) from the University of Washington in River Ecology and Water Policy, and a BS in Forestry and Natural Resources from the University of California, Berkeley. As the California Programs Director, Erin will lead a collaborative team to deliver integrated approaches to groundwater sustainability, partnerships with agricultural communities, and habitat restoration efforts for wetlands, riparian forests, and vernal pools/complexes. Outside of the office, Erin enjoys planting trees, riding bikes, camping, and making music with her family.

Erin’s Why: I deeply value TFT’s collaborative ethos and connection to the communities where we work. I am also inspired by TFT’s bold approach in doing this important work at ecologically relevant time and spatial scales, in a quantitative manner, and with a sharp focus on outcomes.

Home River: San Gabriel River, California