Don Chartrand, a lifelong Californian, began his career driven by a fascination with vision and the brain. After years in healthcare, developing technologies to enhance vision and cognitive function, he discovered that emotional self-regulation is key to many health and social issues. His work with diverse groups, including military and first responders, revealed that resilience can be learned. Now, Don explores how human resilience and nature’s interplay can foster both ecological and social sustainability.

Founded in 1983 as Central Coast Salmon Enhancement, Creek Lands Conservation unites diverse interests to restore and safeguard the biodiversity of California’s Central Coast through conservation science, habitat restoration, and community-driven education.