Kellyx Nelson is described as a “force of nature” who has energized the San Mateo County Resource Conservation District (RCD) in its work to help landowners manage their natural resources through conservation projects.
In working with the Coastside community, Kellyx has demonstrated a consistent ability to balance the needs of the county’s agricultural providers, while at the same time incorporating key conservation priorities in a way that enables agriculture to remain viable. Described as gracious, diplomatic and firm, she is known as someone who finds common ground among diverse constituencies on complex, long-standing issues while maintaining patience and a positive manner.
Kellyx is credited with a high degree of integrity and exceptional skill in bringing together various stakeholders such as farmers, federal Fish and Wildlife agencies, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency to solve complex water management issues. One example of her positive impact was her leadership of the RCD’s participation in the removal of the Bonde Weir Dam on San Francisquito Creek, a long-desired project to improve access to a high-quality spawning habitat for migrating native steelhead trout. In another example, she used her collaborative and creative skills to effectively use a Caltrans grant for the restoration of stock ponds. She is described as “pulling a Houdini act” in getting a fish passage in a tributary to Pilarcitos Creek which reportedly made a huge difference to the community and elevated the stature of the Resource Conservation District.
In her prior work as the Conservation Project Manager for the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), she developed land stewardship programs and policies for properties owned and managed by POST.
Kellyx has crafted an exceptional career in both public and private sector conservation planning and environmental education, putting to good use her Masters Degree in Public Policy from UC Berkeley and an undergraduate degree from Columbia University in Political and Environmental Science. Her prior experiences as a cross-country long-haul trucker and a motorcycle messenger no-doubt also help her to be comfortable working collaboratively with a broad-cross section of people. San Mateo County’s natural resources are certainly better off as a result of Kellyx’s leadership.