The 19th Amendment to the Constitution - granting women the right to vote - was certified on August 26, 1920. In commemoration of this, in 1973 Congress designated August 26 as "Women's Equality Day" to remind us of the heroic women who advanced the Women's Suffrage movement. In recognition of Women's Equality Day, Tuleyome is highlighting three women who are dedicated to conservation: Corky Quirk (NorCal Bats and Yolo Basin Foundation), Sheila Pratt (Cache Creek Conservancy) and Cathy Little (Yolo Habitat Conservancy). Hear about Sheila's journey below and learn about Corky here and Cathy here.

Please share in a round of applause for our friends for their passion and dedication to conservation.

Growing up in the western foothills of Sonoma wine country, I developed a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors and a deep respect for the independence of entrepreneurship, inspired by my father’s career as an insurance broker. My own entry into the insurance field was serendipitous. While navigating my college years and exploring potential career paths, I began assisting at a friend’s State Farm Insurance office. What started as a temporary role evolved into a professional mainstay; I eventually earned my agent’s license and managed that branch, along with several other offices in the area.

When our family relocated to Yolo County, I chose to step away from the insurance industry to focus on my husband and children. Embracing our new home, we spent much of our time outdoors, falling in love with the region's extraordinary agricultural abundance. In 2005, a friend mentioned an opening for part-time administrative support at the Yolo County Resource Conservation District (RCD). Stepping into that role marked a profound turning point. Witnessing firsthand the critical work being done to protect and restore our natural resources deeply resonated with me. It brought a clear realization: we are given only one planet, and how we manage and steward its resources matters immensely.

My father was my first and greatest inspiration. Growing up on several acres, I have fond memories of sitting in the soil with him, learning about the ecology of the small organisms around us. He possessed a true passion for cultivation, growing everything he could and constantly experimenting with unique plant varieties.

Paul Robins, currently the Executive Director of the Monterey County Resource Conservation District, was incredibly influential during my early days at the Yolo RCD and provided me with an excellent professional foundation. When Paul transitioned to Monterey, Dan Effseaf stepped in as Executive Director, offering me a broader perspective on leadership and district operations. Dan now serves as the District Manager of the Paradise Recreation and Park District, and both leaders have left a lasting impact on my approach to stewardship. When I transitioned to the Cache Creek Conservancy, Nancy Ullrey was an amazing example of a strong woman in business.

Over the years, we have completed numerous environmental restoration projects. In fact, many have succeeded so thoroughly that they have seamlessly melted into the surrounding landscape, looking as though they have always belonged there. However, my favorite daily memory is simply being on-site. The same friend who initially introduced me to the RCD eventually transitioned to the Cache Creek Conservancy (CCC) to support their financial administration. She reached out and encouraged me to visit, promising I would love the environment. She was entirely correct. It is a rare privilege to come to work every day at a place that genuinely brings you joy, essentially getting paid to be in your "happy place."

Given my administrative background, the milestone I am most proud of is the successful replacement of our administrative facilities. When the Cache Creek Nature Preserve opened to the public in 2000, they purchased a 20-year-old modular building for office space. It was already well past its prime. By the time I joined part-time in 2017, the structure suffered from severe leaks during rainstorms and lacked adequate insulation. Recognizing the need for a stable foundation, we began intentionally allocating capital for a new facility. By 2023, we had successfully saved enough to pay cash for our new administrative offices, a milestone achievement reached entirely debt-free.

I never actively aspired to become an Executive Director. I did not apply for the position, I did not seek the associated stress or high-level responsibilities, and on paper, I did not possess a traditional ecological background. I originally agreed only to serve as the Interim Director as a supportive gesture while the board conducted a comprehensive search. However, after two consecutive rounds of recruitment yielded no permanent match, the board formally requested that I accept the permanent appointment.

My professional strengths have always leaned toward behind-the-scenes operations; I viewed myself as a facilitator rather than a frontline visionary, specializing in putting the pieces of a great concept together. Public speaking, leading high-profile meetings, and networking lunches were far outside my comfort zone. The prospect of being the visible face of the Conservancy was quite daunting. Through this challenge, I learned a valuable perspective: we are ultimately all just individuals doing our best to serve the greater good. I found strength in Winston Churchill’s insight that "Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision." Every day, I choose to lean into the discomfort and tackle the most challenging leadership tasks first thing in the morning, which sets a positive, rewarding tone for the rest of the day. Despite having more to learn about this specialized industry, stepping into this role has been incredibly rewarding.

My foremost advice is to build a team of exceptionally talented, knowledgeable professionals, their expertise will elevate the entire organization. Because my background is rooted in administration rather than environmental science, I intentionally hire staff with strong technical backgrounds. While I occasionally joke that the administrative side of operations might face a steep learning curve when I eventually retire, I am entirely confident that our conservation and restoration initiatives will continue to thrive because of the exceptional team we have built.

It is inspiring to see so many women leading the way in this field. I often wonder if the nurturing and protective qualities naturally found in women that drive this career path, sparking a shared dedication to care for the Earth and protect the vital life forces that keep humanity healthy and thriving.