Committed to the cause

CNPS board members come from diverse backgrounds in science, law, accounting, small business, and more. The common thread: a deep commitment to the viability of the CNPS mission. We thank each of them for their tremendous leadership and encourage others to consider getting involved.

Board of Directors

Andrea Rae

Treasurer

Andrea Rae

Treasurer

In 2017, after years of trying to decide what to do with our ugly, unwatered, and untended lawn, we discovered California Native landscapes. I jumped right into the CNPS-SD chapter by volunteering as a docent for the annual garden tour. We were amazed that we could have a beautiful landscape that didn't require constant watering. That summer, we solarized our lawn and, in the fall, replaced it with California Natives. I am a CPA specializing in Non-Profit accounting and in 2020 I joined the Board and took on the Treasurer's role. I love learning about Native plants and their important and special role in the ecosystem.

Bob Byrnes

Board Member

Bob Byrnes

Board Member

I have been a member of the San Diego chapter since 2014 when I retired from a series of high tech positions, most of which were academic.  Since then I have been exploring the wonderful opportunities in nature offered by life in San Diego.  Early on, I thought I would spend time bird watching, but I much prefer playing an active role in the stewardship of native plants in the wildland-urban interface.  As co-chair of the Habitat Restoration Committee, we systematically remove invasive plants and encourage natives to grow in their place.  We cultivate partnerships with other nonprofit groups to keep abreast of the diversity of interests in the natural environment and to coordinate with them as need and opportunity arises.

Bobbie Stephenson

Secretary

Bobbie Stephenson

Secretary

I joined the San Diego Chapter in 1978 and have served on the Chapter Board since then, except for a few years in the early 2000s.  I have served as President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Newsletter Editor and Plant Sale Chairperson, and I am currently the Secretary and Newsletter Editor.  With BS and MS degrees in Botany, I worked as a Botanist/Biologist in southern California from 1982 until I retired a few years ago.    While in graduate school I worked as a biologist for Caltrans, later as a consultant at a private environment firm, and then on conservation planning for the County of San Diego.   I look forward to spending many more years volunteering for CNPS and preserving our native flora.

Christine Hoey

Board Member

Christine Hoey

Board Member

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t connected to the outdoors through gardening, hiking, foraging, or photographing nature. It was the one thing that grounded me after working long hours as a nurse practitioner. Following my first CNPS San Diego Native Garden Tour in 2017, I was inspired to join the chapter to learn more. A year later, we completely re-landscaped our yard with California native plants, and I never looked back. Since 2019, I have co-directed the chapter’s spring native garden tours. In addition, I am co-chair of the gardening committee, and take pride in our two native gardens at Balboa Park. Through workshops, monthly meetings, public events and outreach, our mission is to be inclusive and invite diverse communities and the landscape trade to learn more about the habitat value and care of California native plants.

Cindy Burrascano

Vice President

Cindy Burrascano

Vice President

I joined CNPS about 40 years ago, initially doing book sales at the instigation of Joan Stewart. I loved going on field trips and attending meetings. I traveled the state as a State Board member while Chapter President and as a tamarisk controller in desert areas with Bill Neill. Having been a member and Chapter board member for many years, I have served the chapter in many functions including Book Sales Chair, temporary Treasurer, Exotics Chair, Conservation Chair, and President. As a citizen of the State of CA, I wrote and submitted three listing petitions to the State of CA (Ambrosia pumila, Ornithostaphlos oppositifolia, and Hazardia orcuttii). Needing a less stressful job, I returned to Book Sales.

Del Brooks

Board Member

Del Brooks

Board Member

My introduction to this chapter was 8 years in high school when organizing volunteer projects for my club, since then I have continued my work in the field and am happy to now serve in this capacity. My work focuses mostly on invasive plant control, habitat restoration, and monitoring endangered plants. One of my recent projects was a successful grasslands restoration at Harrier Hill in the West End of Penasquitos Canyon Preserve, which recently resulted in the return of a Northern Harrier Hawk pair after almost 8 years. Beyond my work and involvement with CNPSSD, I am a board member for the Friends of Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve where I’m heavily involved in implementing their habitat restoration and volunteer projects.

Justin Daniel

Board Member

Justin Daniel

Board Member

Sundeep Amin

Board Member

Sundeep Amin

Board Member

I’m a biological consultant with nearly 20 years of experience, mainly in Southern California, specifically San Diego, as I’ve lived here most of my life. I’ve been a CNPS member on and off for the past decade, but I only recently wanted to get more involved than “just being a member.” I joined the CNPS San Diego Chapter board in early 2023 and am still figuring out how best to contribute to the ongoing success and growth of the chapter.

I have a B.S. in Ecology from UCSC and a background in all things ecology (plants, wildlife, wetlands, rare species surveys, and for the past five years, I’ve been working on habitat restoration by creating mitigation banks). I’m excited to use my experience to help promote the benefits and use of native plants to the masses.