Staff members of the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority gathered at the office March 19 to give Executive Director Shawna Anderson the appreciation she deserves to celebrate her 25th year with the agency.
Executive Director of the River Park JPA Reaches 25-year Milestone
In 2000, Shawna joined the River Park JPA as its principal planner. In that role, she ushered many of the park’s acquisitions, trails and restoration projects from concept to completion. She secured more than $2 million in grants to fund the work.
Shawna became executive director in November 2020. In that role, she has been a driving force behind completing the Coast to Crest Trail—a 71-mile-long, “unique recreational treasure,” Shawna says.
The River Park’s staff have planted a native plant garden dedicated to Shawna at the entrance to the agency’s headquarters in Escondido.
Earlier this month, she received formal recognition from the River Park JPA’s Board of Directors.
In heartfelt statements, Chris Khoury, Citizen Advisory Committee Chair, Cheryl Goddard, Executive Director of the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy, and Diane Coombs, Founder and Former Executive Director of the SDRP celebrate Shawna’s leadership and legacy:
I recall 25 years ago, when the executive director of the River Park told me and others that he was very excited to introduce us to the newly hired environmental planner, who was highly qualified for the job. I was immediately impressed with Shawna’s youthful enthusiasm, friendliness, and competence. Since then, I have worked closely with Shawna as the Conservancy’s president and Board member, and now as CAC Chair and JPA Board member. She has earned the highest respect from the JPA Board members and has always received stellar annual reviews. Her collaborative spirit, sense of humor, and passion for the vision the River Park, has made her an invaluable asset. I continue to be very impressed with her youthful enthusiasm, friendliness, and competence.
— Chris Khoury, Chair, Citizen Advisory Committee
One of the moments I knew I had made the right decision to join the Conservancy was when I had the chance to work with Shawna and Cindy Outlaw (now a Conservancy Board member) on the Get-to-71 trail gap campaign for the Coast to Crest Trail. Coming from a career entirely based in local government, it was inspiring to see Shawna’s passion and determination to make this ambitious project a reality. The campaign aimed to raise $2 million for the planning phase of the two largest gaps in the trail, and watching Shawna’s enthusiasm and drive to push it forward was contagious. Knowing that Shawna and the Joint Powers Authority (JPA) staff would be leading the heavy lifting of the planning and design efforts once we met our goal—and seeing her still be so genuinely excited to help raise the funds—was a wonderful sign that I had made the right choice. It showed me that not only was I going to be working toward the Conservancy’s mission and vision, but I was also partnering with an organization led by an incredible Executive Director whose lifetime of knowledge and dedication to the river park was invaluable. Cheers to many more years of working with Shawna!
— Cheryl Goddard, Executive Director, San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy
I met Shawna when she was a young consultant working on an environmental mitigation project on Otay Mesa. She has spent her entire career protecting and preserving our environment! She came to work for the River Park Joint Powers Authority when our Environmental Planner, Vicki Touchstone left. Shawna excelled in working with our consultants, local and state governments, local non-profits and the community as plans for the entire Watershed were prepared, approved and implemented. She has written countless grant application, most were funded. When Bo Bowman and Susan Carter retired she was a natural to become the next River Park Executive Director! Most recently the new trail project in the wetlands was opened. It could not have happened without her dedication and persistence. Her name should be on a plaque at the trailhead. Congratulations Shawna for 25 years of love and dedication to the park!
— Diane Coombs, Founder and Former Executive Director of the SDRP
