For over 20 years Melanie Schlotterbeck has been the face of the ambitious Green Vision project, initiated by FHBP’s co-founder, Jean Watt. This proactive endeavor works to conserve land and habitats in Orange County, one of the world’s top biodiversity hotspots. Anyone involved in conservation in Orange County – or in Southern California for that matter – knows her and the enormous impact she has had in literally transforming our landscape.

Melanie now has an opportunity to expand her role beyond Orange County. Inspired by California’s “30×30” goal to protect 30% of California’s lands and waters by 2030, she will be moving on from FHBP to work at the state level to more broadly protect and preserve California’s lands and coastal waters. While working to support conservation throughout California, she will naturally bring attention to the unique needs of Southern California. FHBP knows that Melanie’s accomplishments in Orange County can serve as a model and inspiration for others throughout California.

Just a few examples of Melanie’s many achievements during her time with FHBP: unifying the Green Vision coalition of over 85 conservation organizations; developing the Green Vision Map, an innovative GIS project to visualize our conservation goals; spearheading an Orange County regional advance mitigation program resulting in the protection of 1,300 acres and restoration of 350 acres; creating the General Plan Resource Directory and other initiatives to bring conservation best practices into our built communities; leading approval for the state’s first two Sustainable Community Strategies (in Orange County and the Southland); advancing to completion a six- county- wide Greenprint; and launching the 30×30 initiative in Orange County. These and her many other conservation projects will live on with FHBP, inspired by her deep dedication.

We’ll miss having her as part of our daily lives, but we know our paths will cross often. On behalf of everyone who cares about Orange County’s unique lands and habitats, FHBP extends its deep gratitude to Melanie for all her efforts and achievements over the past 20 years – and we can’t wait to see her in action for all of California!