Board and Staff

Joni Clark Stellar, Board Chair, completed her BA in Environmental Studies and earned a teacher’s certificate in Colorado. Through parallel careers in education and advocacy, her strong relationship with the living earth and deep desire to protect and restore the web of life have guided her creative and collaborative approach to both teaching young people and protecting the resilience and integrity of wild places. She’s delighted to have discovered Patagonia in recent years and is proud to call this unique and precious community home.

Valerie Neale, Secretary-Treasurer, is an Art History and English Literature graduate of University College, London. In 1990, Valerie became a CPA and then earned a master’s degree in Tax at Golden Gate University. The primary focus of her private practice was tax planning and estate planning for individuals and for-profit businesses. Valerie wants to contribute to maintaining, restoring, and conserving the unique biodiverse nature of this particular geographical area.

Chris Gardner, Board Member, has practiced hydrogeology as a consultant in Arizona since 1998. He retired from consulting and purchased land in the Patagonia area. In this time, he learned of industrial mining and the historic work done by PARA and others to address the issues. Chris quickly realized his expertise as a citizen scientist would be helpful to protect groundwater in the area for the most beneficial uses, to support people and biodiversity. Chris is also a member of the Town of Patagonia Flood and Flow Committee and volunteers for the Friends of Sonoita Creek and Borderlands Nursery while maintaining beds in the community garden.

Sean Manion, Board Member, is a retired Conservation Biologist, and continues to leverage his expertise into local Arizona environmental issues. He received his bachelor degree from University of Arizona, and his masters degree from California State University at Northridge. As a Senior Conservation Biologist and Research Director for the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains he has worked in the field of Restoration Ecology with the re-introduction of a federally endangered species back into it’s historic ecosystem, worked to identify and implement habitat linkages, and worked on biodiversity issues. He enjoys exploring the Sky Island region, and restoring native species, such as Agave palmeri, on his ranch.

Her work has centered on connecting people with the natural and cultural resources that sustain their communities, whether through conservation, education, or advocacy. With a passion for the outdoors and a love of wild places, she brings both professional expertise and a deep personal commitment to supporting organizations that protect the landscapes and resources that make places unique.

Rebecka Meyers, Board Member, is a native of Utah, raised in many places as an Air Force brat. She and her husband, retired lawyer Mike Howard, moved to Patagonia from Salt Lake City where she had worked for thirty years at Primary Children’s Hospital as pediatric surgeon with a specialty in surgery and research for children’s cancer. They purchased lovely property along Harshaw Creek just a few miles downstream from the South32 Hermosa mine. Although initially unaware of the industrial scale of planned mining development in the Patagonia Mountains, they are now deeply committed to protecting Harshaw Creek’s fragile ecosystem celebrating and preserving the natural beauty, wildlife, and community that drew them to Patagonia.