Meet Our Team
The people behind the work
Alyssa graduated UC Davis with a B.S. in Landscape Architecture and minor in Landscape Restoration. Since graduating she has worked in the field of landscape architecture designing everything from public and residential landscapes to creek restoration and mitigation projects.
Alyssa has also worked as on-site supervisor for several mitigation and restoration projects, which included project construction oversight, invertebrate and hydromonitoring, as well as land surveys. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys hiking, camping, kayaking, art, and family.
Casey holds a B.S. in Ecology and Evolution from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she developed a strong foundation in environmental ecology. Before transitioning into the nonprofit sector, Casey spent several years as an educator, teaching science to students in rural Northern California. Her work as an educator strengthened her belief in the importance of connecting people with their local environment and making science accessible to everyone.
Now, Casey brings her background in science and education to the nonprofit community, where she is passionate about supporting meaningful conservation efforts, creating community connections, and protecting the natural resources and wildlife that make this region of Northern California unique. She is excited to continue serving her community through science, outreach, and conservation at Sutter Buttes Regional Land Trust.
Carolyn Brown
Prior to retirement Carolyn worked for the State of California as an Environmental Planner, gaining experience in regulatory permitting, biological mitigation plans, land endowments, and conservation easements.
She grew up camping in the deserts of southern California and Baja, where she developed her love of nature. Having observed the loss of agricultural lands and open space throughout the state, she is a strong proponent of land conservation. Her hobbies include hiking, biking, kayaking, and travel — and she is an avid proponent of “go native” for your yard.
Mike Hubbartt
Mike Hubbartt serves as our current Board Vice President for SBRLT. He is also the Newsletter Writer, and the Guide Coordinator. Mike leads hikes, coordinates guide’s training meetings, writes the semi-annual newsletter and makes public appearances to promote the Foundation’s preservation goals.
A former teacher, he currently works with as an interpreter at the Oroville Visitor Center. Mike is the author of “The Sutter Buttes” in the Images of America Series, which is a history of the families of the Sutter Buttes. He enjoys hiking, backpacking, gardening, woodworking, and reading.
Curt Aikens
CURT AIKENS serves as a Board Secretary for the SBRLT. He grew up in California enjoying the outdoors through camping, backpacking, hiking, skiing and cycling. He retired in 2021 after spending 23 years of service to the Yuba Water Agency and people of Yuba County.
During his 19 years as the General Manager, he guided sustainable holistic water management solutions to Yuba County’s water issues with a dedicated team of employees, consultants and board members.
He is fascinated by the Sutter Buttes and has volunteered as a Backup Guide for the Middle Mountain Interpretive Hikes. He desires to use his skills to further land stewardship in the region for future generations.
Joseph Ensley
Joseph Ensley serves as Board Treasurer and is a Board Director for SBRLT. Originally from rural Minnesota, Joseph served 11 years in the Aire Force. In 2022, he and his wife, Helen, moved to the Yuba-Sutter area when she received orders to Beale AFB.
After Helen completed her service, they decided to make this community their home. Joseph founded The King’s Accountant, blending military precision with a dedication to community growth. Joseph emphasizes building relationships, leveraging technology, and empowering others.
In his free time, he enjoys participating in community activities, fostering local development, and escaping to nature (when it’s not tax season).
Ben Chandler
BEN CHANDLER serves as a Board Director for SBRLT. He grew up in Oregon, with meaningful summers in the Sierra Nevada lakes and forests, and farmlands of California’s Central Valley. Open spaces and farmland have been the source of his grounding and joy, in California and around the world.
After working in the greater Bay Area and overseas, he relocated to Butte County in 2018 and works for the State of California. Ben continues to enjoy spending time outdoors, and especially being active with ranch activities in the Sutter Buttes.
Margint Sands
MARGIT SANDS serves as a Board Director for SBRLT. She hails from a family whose history is closely tied to the region.
Her family has owned a ranch in the heart of the Sutter Buttes since 1898, and Margit considers herself fortunate to have grown up working cattle on the ranch and finds that her appreciation for the Sutter Buttes grows with each passing year. She has retired from her lifelong career of teaching elementary school, primarily at Manzanita School in Gridley.
Now she devotes more time to the cattle operation with some side interests of playing her flute and sewing. She also is the Charter Hike Coordinator for our sister organization, Middle Mountain Interpretive Hikes.
Sabrina Wootton
Sabrina Wootton serves as a Board Director for SBRLT. She’s a strategic marketing and innovation professional with cross-industry experience in consumer brands, technology, healthcare, and SaaS-bringing a go-to-market mindset, storytelling, and stakeholder alignment to mission-driven work. Sabrina is especially interested in helping connect more community members to the landscapes, agriculture, and conservation efforts that make the Sutter Buttes region unique.
Outside of board work. she enjoys sailing, hiking, gardening, reading, and spending time on her small rural property.
Volunteer with us
We rely on volunteers at events, in the field, and behind the scenes. Volunteer position details to be provided.