Photo: Shawn competes in the Modesto Marathon.
Yuba Water Agency's environmental scientist, Shawn Spani, is part of the team that is responsible for ensuring that our projects, programs and facilities continue to remain environmentally compliant. This includes endangered species surveys, invasive plant and animal prevention and removal and more. Scroll to learn more about Shawn, her background and education and what she enjoys in her free time.
What is your background/formal education that led to where you are in your career today?
I graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a bachelor’s degree in ecology and minors in sustainable agriculture and environmental studies. I then worked for the California Department of Water Resources for a few years, first as a scientific aid then as an environmental scientist. During that time, I was exposed to many projects, including bald eagle surveys, fuel load management, recreation surveys and meadow restoration.
How did you get involved in your current career path?
I grew up along the Stanislaus River outside of Oakdale and spent a lot of time outside looking for critters, kayaking down the river and seeing the importance of the balance between agriculture and nature first-hand. I knew that I did not want to end up at a desk all day, so translating these personal interests into my studies and future work was the perfect path for me.
Photo: Shawn spends an afternoon kayaking on the Stanislaus River.
What inspired you to pursue a career in the environmental sector?
I went to Knights Ferry Elementary School, which is right up the hill from the Stanislaus. We would take "field trips" down to the river to go look at the salmon redds and learn about the local species in the area. I remember getting to be involved in programs like Fish in the Classroom or raising monarchs and thinking it was so cool. Being exposed to experiences like that helped me realize that I wanted to continue learning about local ecosystems and work outdoors.
Do your duties differ throughout the year? And if so, how?
Yes. My field season is a little heavier from May to September because that is when all the frog surveys take place. Currently, I have a little more time to go through our environmental documents for projects. We are also getting started on our required reports that need to be done at the start of the new year. There is always vegetation management that needs to happen, though, and I am also participating in the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s North Yuba River Pilot Reintroduction Study, which is a project that Yuba Water is supporting to reintroduce spring-run Chinook salmon to their historical spawning grounds in the North Yuba River. So, I still have plenty of field days!
What do you enjoy most about working for Yuba Water?
I love getting to work in such a beautiful place! Our yellow-legged frog surveys take us into some pretty cool, untouched areas.
Tell us something about yourself that most of us don't know.
I have a pet ball python named Tellulah. Someone had to get rid of her, so I took her in. She likes going for walks and chin scratches.
Before working here, what was the most interesting job you had?
I worked (for free) at the Cal Poly Dairy. It started out with me taking an enterprise class to take care of the newborn calves, but I loved it so much that I stayed and helped out the rest of the year. I would help with bottle feeding shifts, pulling all-nighters caring for new mamas and babies and even pressure washing dirty hutches. I still go back and visit my cows!
What do you like to do in your free time?
I run, a lot. In the last few years, I have run three marathons and a bunch of half marathons all over California. I also love going to concerts, spending time with friends and family, camping, and of course, looking for critters outside!