Lea Knutson
Founder and Executive Director
As a native of New Mexico (born and raised in the north valley of Albuquerque) and a 25-year resident and owner of property that spans both the Gallinas and Sapello watersheds, Lea has roots in the local area. With training in Wildlife Science (B.S. University of Washington) and 18 years of professional experience in wildlife ecology and wildlife habitat management in Washington State, she returned to New Mexico to raise her family in the amazing mountains near Las Vegas. Lea has a deep love of the land and commitment to restoring and maintaining healthy landscapes for people and wildlife. Because of that love, she founded the Citizens Ecological Monitoring Team in 2008 (a 501c3 nonprofit) which evolved into the Hermit’s Peak Watershed Alliance in 2010. Lea also has experience in private business; she is part owner and operator of a 25-year-old, family-owned construction company. Working with her husband, she does the bookkeeping and office management.
To contact Lea, email
lknutson@hermitspeakwatersheds.org
Jacob Erickson
PR Director/Videographer
Jacob Erickson is native to the region, having been born and raised in Las Vegas, NM. He received his Bachelors of Fine Arts in Audio/Video from New Mexico Highlands University, and his Masters in the Media Arts and Cultural Technology department at NMHU, in interactive multi-media exhibition design. He’s spent the majority of his academic career interviewing people and telling their stories; a WWII interview project, Los Alamos oral history interview project, Makerspace interview project, Segesser Hide Documentary, and an IRES cross-departmental research experience in the Czech Republic. Jacob Erickson uses his skills in media to inform people through educational videos, promos which highlight important work and solicit donations, and utilizes a vast array of multimedia production capabilities with which to better tell Hermit’s Peak Watershed Alliance’s story.
To contact Jacob, e-mail at
jerickson@hermitspeakwatersheds.org
Patrick Gutierrez
Restoration Project Manager
Patrick Gutierrez is a native New Mexican, with a background in conservation management ecological research and habitat restoration. His personal affinity with range lands has influenced his deep commitment to a career in natural resources management. Growing up on a cattle ranch in Trujillo, NM, he has experienced first-hand land management challenges that are impacting the Southwest, including the lasting legacy of overgrazing, extended drought, and loss of grassland productivity from erosion problems and juniper encroachment. His interest began early in high school, where he was a member of the Future Farmers of America, and participated in Wildlife Identification, and Landscape Design competitions at the local and state levels. Through his academic career, he has developed an interest in various restoration methods including forest restoration, watershed management, wildlife habitat management, and using fire as a restoration tool. Additionally, he has sought out opportunities to increase hands-on experiences in habitat restoration through several volunteer events with community organizations such as the Albuquerque Wildlife Federation and Impact Outdoors. He is excited for any future opportunities to collaborate with private and public land managers to sustainably manage grasslands, forests and watersheds to contribute towards more resilient ecosystems.
contact Patrick, email
pgutierrez@hermitspeakwatersheds.org
Renee Hernandez
Watershed Restoration Project Manager
Renee Hernandez is a native New Mexican born and raised in Santa Fe. She has a
background in education with an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She moved to Las Vegas in 2018 and graduated from New Mexico Highlands University with a bachelor’s degree in Conservation Management with a minor in Forest Management in the spring of 2020. During her time at NMHU, she obtained a work study position in the greenhouse laboratory. She also participated in two internships, one at John T. Harrington Forestry Research Center and the other at Hermits Peak Watershed Alliance. This was where she discovered her interests in field work, lab work, assisting with research and working with landowners. Working for Hermits Peak Watershed Alliance has given her the opportunity to help contribute to the restoration and sustainability of New Mexico’s natural resources. Renee grew up going camping and fishing with her family as a child across Northern New Mexico where her passion for the outdoors began. She believes that it is important to educate both the youth and the public on restorative sustainable behaviors to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy our state’s natural resources for years to come.
Contact Renee, e-mail
rhernandez@hermitspeakwatersheds.org
Estevan Gonzales
Program and YCC Coordinator
Estevan Gonzales is a native New Mexican, born and raised in Las Vegas, New Mexico. He has always had a passion for learning about plants and wildlife and protecting their natural habitats. He attended New Mexico Highland’s University (NMHU), earning a bachelor’s degree of science (BS) in Biology in 2022. He chose this field to pursue a career with a focus on conservation and habitat restoration. Estevan participated in many groups such as conservation club and NMHU’s SOMOS Stem program. During this time, he has volunteered in many of HPWA’s community outreach events geared towards improving the health of our local ecosystems. After graduating from NMHU, Estevan began working as a crew lead for our Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) crew funded by the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s YCC program in the summer of 2023. He continued working through the fall and winter on HPWA’s seasonal restoration field crew. In 2024, he became the YCC Program Coordinator for HPWA, assisting with organization of the project. He now works as a general program coordinator for HPWA, helping with arranging future opportunities to improve local watershed conditions and restore health to his community and the environment.
Contact Estevan Gonzales, e-mail
egonzales@hermitspeakwatersheds.org
Annie Topal
Watershed Restoration Technician, Crew Lead
She is a Pacific Islander, born and raised in Papua New Guinea. Her family loves outdoor activities, gardening, and animals. She moved to the US to attend NMHU in 2017 to pursue her passion for track and field, and study forestry. She received by BS in Forestry in 2021. She finished her maters in Natural Sciences in December 2024 and received a certificate of Geographic Information Systems. At the same time, she was doing her thesis in FIRE HISTORY AND FIRE-CLIMATE RELATIONSHIPS OF FRONT RANGE FORESTS NEAR BLACK LAKE, SOUTHEASTERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO.
She joined our Field Crew in September 2024. She worked as a Watershed Restoration Technician, carrying out low-tech, nature-based watershed restoration techniques, emphasizing post-fire restoration. Now, she works as the Watershed Restoration Crew Leader, supervising the field crew’s work tasks, crew training, crew behavior, materials and equipment. She is genuinely excited about the opportunity to gain hands on experience in watershed restoration. She believes developing leadership skills and contributing to a healthier watershed will benefit the environment and our local community. Working with HPWA means a lot to her, as it allows us to make a meaningful impact together.
Contact Annie Topal, e-mail
atopal@hermitspeakwatersheds.org
YCC NM and Post-Fire 2025 Crew
Our Board of Directors
(2021 Photo: Pictured from left to right: Natalia Shaw, Lea Knutson, John Goodwin, Mark Gillingham, Wendy Melgin, Sarah Corey-Reeves)
Current Board Members
Mary Shaw (Co-Chair), Wendy Pierard-Melgin (Co-Chair), Nathan Tomczyk (Member), Dhanila Parboteeah (member)
Past Board Members
Mark Gillingham, Ben Gillock, Dr. Edward Martinez, Josh Miner, Shantini Rmakrishnan, Deanna Einspahr, Brian Miller, Julie Tsatsaros, Tomas Benavidez, Steve Reichart, John Goodwin, Sara-Corey Rivas
