ABOUT OC HABITATS
OUR STORY
OC Habitats (OCH) was founded in July 2017 based on the clear need for more habitat protection throughout Orange County, CA. OCH was created with three goals in mind which are now the main areas or pillars of our work: Restoration, Education, and Monitoring.
OUR VISION
Education
Our most important goal of OCH is education and outreach. We believe that knowledge is power, and the more individuals we can empower, the better off our environment will be. We educate through our habitat education programs that we provide to school-aged students and the public in and around Orange County, as well as on our guided hikes and habitat tour events. We also educate our volunteers during our restoration and monitoring projects/programs. Our online educational resources, including our Coffee & Conservation speaker series, have grown into thorough resources on local habitats, species, and environmental issues for public use. In all our work we seek to build awareness and environmental stewardship in our community.
Restoration
First, our founders saw an urgent need to aid the restoration of degraded habitats throughout the county. Over the years, we have helped restore wetlands and riparian habitats in Huntington and Newport Beaches as well as coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitats in Santa Ana, Irvine, Tustin and Orange. We continue to expand our efforts to more areas and habitat types to provide a wide-reaching service to the human and non-human communities of OC.
Monitoring
Lastly, our founders felt that sensitive areas in Orange County needed more monitoring attention. OCH has partnered with various nonprofit and government agencies to collect data on the current state of specific habitats and species. This data is shared with key players in habitat protection to inform future actions and maintain healthy habitat and species populations for years to come.
All three of these goals come together to make OC Habitats.
Through our local, grassroots work, we strive to make the world better one person and event at a time.
If our mission speaks to your heart, join us!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our board of directors are passionate about the environment and each uniquely educated to handle all the challenges that come with leading a non-profit dedicated to protecting the native ecosystems of Orange County, California
Founder and
Executive Director
Stacey
Chartier-Grable
Stacey Chartier-Grable is a dedicated advocate for habitat protection and species conservation. With a blend of business and environmental expertise, she's spearheading a grassroots organization in Orange County since 1996. Stacey created OC Habitats in 2017 with her mission: preserving natural resources for future generations and nurturing youth leadership for a healthier planet. Through her work, Stacey aims to equip young minds with the knowledge and habits needed to sustain biodiversity and ensure a thriving world for all life forms.
Secretary
Susannah "Susie"
Gottlieb
Susie Gottlieb brings a background in software and higher education operations. Originally from the mid-west, she's enthusiastic about learning and preserving her adopted home's habitats and species. Susie's passion for environmental advocacy, sparked in her youth, has only grown stronger with her children facing the climate crisis. Outside of her conservation efforts, she enjoys reading, baking, walking her dog, and spending time with friends and family.
Board Member
Melissa King
Melissa King drawn to educational hikes and habitat monitoring. Raised in New York and a Columbia University alum with degrees in economics and environmental science, Melissa's passion for environmental issues ignited during a study abroad program in Australia. Inspired, she pursued law, earning a J.D. from California Western School of Law. Melissa has volunteered with various nonprofits and agencies, including San Diego Coastkeeper and SANDAG. Currently practicing law in Anaheim, she cherishes her free time, especially birdwatching with newfound binoculars and guidebooks.
Board Member
Sydney Rilum
As a Habitat Monitor and Outreach Educator, Sydney conducted beach dune surveys, hosted clean-ups, and developed science field trips for elementary students. She holds a Master’s in Environmental Science and Management from UC Santa Barbara and a Bachelor’s in Environmental and Ocean Sciences from the University of San Diego. Sydney has experience in education, monitoring, research, and data science across non-profits, state agencies, and corporations. Currently, she is a Science, Research, and Policy Specialist at USC Sea Grant and the USC Wrigley Institute, focusing on marine microplastics research and outreach. As a Board Member, she aims to enhance OC Habitats' impact on the community and local habitats.
President (2025)
Cheryl
Lairmore-Dyas
Cheryl Dyas, with over 30 years of accounting experience, joined OCH in 2020 as the Director of Administrative Services. Currently serving as the Treasurer for the City of Mission Viejo, she brings expertise in accounting principles, financial reporting, and grant management. Cheryl's passion for nature led her to volunteer at OCH, where she contributes her skills to support the organization's growth. Outside of work, she enjoys camping, reading, and cherishes memories like scuba diving with dolphins off the shores of Maui, making Olympic National Park her favorite.
Treasurer
Anella Aquino
One of our newest board members!
Information about Anella coming soon!
Board Member
Bianca Borja-Barba
Bianca joined OCH in 2017, serving on the Habitat Educator and Monitoring Team and earning Volunteer of the Year in 2018. Passionate about conservation and education, she merges her Anthropology background with environmental studies. Bianca's expertise spans K-12 and higher education, with a focus on student outreach and career development. With an MS in Educational Counseling, she's dedicated to community college counseling. Bianca, now a board member, eagerly reengages with OCH, driven by her commitment to conservation and education.
Board Member
Austin Muckenthaler
Austin Muckenthaler is a passionate advocate for Orange County's native ecology. For the past ten years, Austin has managed a large environmental grant program in the county, supporting the restoration of the many local open spaces. Currently, he serves as Community Grants Manager at the Taco Bell Foundation whose mission focuses on supporting youth leadership, mentoring, and career readiness.
BOARD ADVISORS
OC HABITATS STAFF
Kim Yumul
Program Manager
Kim completed her bachelor’s degree in biological science with a concentration in marine biology at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). She joined OC Habitats as an intern in January 2021. Kim is interested in the form and function of organisms, so going out to OCH events such as habitat restoration and bird monitoring help her understand this important concept in science. As a staff member, she will continue to help in restoration, monitoring, education, and other OCH projects. Kim's goal is to help restore and conserve our natural habitats and the organisms in these areas for future generations.
Gabriela Lopez
Program Lead
Born in Santa Ana, Gabby is a graduate of Cal State Long Beach University. Before earning her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science and Policy, she started with OCH as an intern. Gabby had the opportunity to establish a restoration partnership with Santa Ana city officials and OC Habitats in local parks. After her internship, she was hired as a staff member in the early spring of 2023 where she has continued her restoration project in Santa Ana and has led many educational programs throughout Orange County school districts. Gabby is very excited to be expanding her environmental skills and knowledge with OC Habitats and hopes to continue working in the restoration, education, and hiking projects done here at OCH.
Linsey Boatner
Program Manager
Linsey, former OCH intern, and graduated with her bachelors in Environmental Science and Policy from California State University, Long Beach. At CSULB, she completed her capstone project analyzing the landscape conversion impacts on the blue oak (Quercus douglasii) community from Euro-American settlement to present day in the Upper Tule watershed, California. Linsey is also passionate about helping her community through restoration and education. She enjoys passing her knowledge of the environment on to others and making a difference restoring the health of Orange County's many habitats. Linsey is excited to continue her journey with OC Habitats as a staff member.
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Amanda Park
Program Lead
After more than a decade of service as an administrative professional, a lifelong love for the natural world led Amanda to complete her degree in Environmental Science and Policy and follow her passion for environmental advocacy and stewardship. Amanda's path to OC Habitats started as a volunteer and was driven by a deeply held belief in doing what's right for all species. In her role as a Project Lead, she focuses on creating a positive and lasting impact through restoring habitats, supporting biodiversity, and encouraging meaningful relationships to ignite curiosity and bring people closer to nature.
OC HABITATS INTERNS
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Catherine Ishii
Originally from Cerritos, Catie is a rising fourth-year at UC Irvine majoring in Environmental Science and Policy. She is looking forward to getting involved in various OCH programs such as sea urchin monitoring and connecting with local communities who are curious and inspired by the nature in Orange County. In her free time, Catie likes to do arts and crafts, go to the tidepools, upcycle clothes, and read a good book.
Christine Melchor
Christine is an Ecology and Evolutionary Biology major at CSU Fullerton, set to graduate in the fall of 2025. She has a strong passion for conservation and hopes to build a career focused on protecting wildlife and marine ecosystems. Outside of academics, you’ll likely find her outdoors at the beach, observing organisms during low tide in the tidepools. Christine is excited to fully immerse herself in this internship, gaining hands-on experience with habitat restoration and contributing to efforts that promote sustainable environmental solutions.
Abby Harsche
Abby is originally from Mount Laurel, New Jersey and is a rising fourth year Environmental Science and Policy major at Chapman University. Abby is most excited about diving into the monitoring and restoration efforts of OC Habitats to gain hands-on experience in combatting the effects of climate change and making a positive difference in Orange County ecosystems. When she is not working or studying, Abby loves to read, go to the beach, and travel!
VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP
Tiffany Chao
Monitoring Lead
Eric Pena
Restoration Lead
Beverly Alvarez
Social Media Lead
Ginny Gregurek
Education Lead
Gina Thompson
Blog Lead
Erika Moe
Outreach Lead
David Nyquist
Volunteer Lead
Diane Biggs
Volunteer
Christopher Trinh
Volunteer
OCH Monitors, Educators, and Volunteers
OC Habitats relies heavily on our volunteers to accomplish the many tasks of our mission. We have active volunteers who work with us each month to work on a variety of projects and programs and we have our OCH Friends who join us for events throughout the year. We are thankful for all of our team and all the hard work and dedication they provide our organization.
Tom Gee, Kevin Bartelheim, Melody Aminian, Dianne Biggs, Lara Wilson,
Michelle L. , Marjorie & Joe King, Judy Bermann, Peter Lam
