We are pleased to announce the selection of Chris Orr as the new Valentine Eastern Sierra Reserves Assistant Reserve Manager beginning in April 2018. Chris brings a wide array of experience in outdoor conservation and stewardship, mechanical skills, computer systems and programming and project management to VESR. 

Chris grew up in Omaha Nebraska and surrounding farm communities, spending much of his time in the outdoors. He has been a nature and outdoor enthusiast all of his life and has recently become a certified California Naturalist. He has worked at UCSB for 14 years as a network administrator, and has spent a great deal of time at SNARL over the years helping to manage the SNARL network infrastructure. 

Chris is well-known locally in Santa Barbara, and recognized internationally for his work on trail conservation, construction and advocacy.  He has received numerous awards for his work to educate trail users, and advocate for community based-solutions to reduce conflicts among users of multi-use trails. In addition to his work on trails, Chris has spent many years in Santa Barbara following his passion to design and build prosthetic arms and legs (https://vimeo.com/maxwellfrank/chrisorr). 

His expertise as a prosthetic technician has led him to work as an exhibits restoration specialist at the Santa Barbara museum of Natural History.  Here he pioneered new methodologies and materials to preserve the bones of animal skeleton exhibits that are exposed to outdoor environments, such as the museum’s signature blue whale exhibit. (http://www.sbnature.org/exhibitions/11.html).

Chris’ affable nature, and infectious enthusiasm for all that he does have made a local celebrity in Santa Barbara.  He is looking forward to applying his talents to the diverse array of activities at VESR, and we could not be more thrilled to have Chris joining our team. Please join us in welcoming Chris, and we look forward to seeing you all at the Reserves this year!