Jeff grew up in western South Dakota, and though he’s moved around a lot since then, his love for land and the things that live on it has never left him. Although ponderosa pines will always be dear to his heart, he thinks the color pallettes and scents of coastal sage scrub will keep him in Ventura for a long while. He is a nature photographer and filmmaker with degrees in anthropology, political science, and wildlife documentary film. He lived in England for three years working on nature documentaries, where his Midwestern optimism, mustache, and inability to make tea properly earned him the nickname “Ted Lasso”. He strongly believes in connecting more people with nature and broadening land access to local communities. Jeff hopes to learn and tell moving conservation stories at the Ventura Land Trust and become a good-listening member of the community.

When he’s not working, you can find him hiking (birding on land), surfing (birding from the water), or reading (birding in his mind). If you haven’t found your spark bird yet, he is available to assist at no charge. He lives in Ventura with his partner Rachel, a marine scientist and much better surfer.