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Christine Smith Cowles Born and raised in Houston, Texas (yes, I like country music), I graduated from Trinity University in 1994 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Environmental Studies. In 1996, my love of the outdoors lead me to volunteer at Amistad National Recreation Area running their visitor center and assisting with an archeology survey. Moving to Yosemite National Park in 1997, I spent four wonderful years as Media Relations Coordinator.

From rock slides and floods to tragic murders and missing hikers, there was never a lack of reporters in the park. And remember all those stories about bears breaking into cars? I also co-managed the park's Bear Education Program, designed to inform park visitors, employees and the surrounding communities about bear-related issues, behavior and policy. Bear incidents are now down 78% since 1998!

My fifteen minutes of fame include a guest stint on GORP, being quoted in the 1999 Darwin Awards, and appearing as a character in "Farley," a San Francisco daily comic strip (you'll have to come to my house to see that).

In late 2000, following the call of the ocean, I moved to Santa Barbara and worked as Development Coordinator for The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County. I worked on the capital campaign to raise $7.1 million for the acquisition of the Arroyo Hondo Preserve on the Gaviota Coast. I also raised individual, foundation and government grant funds to restore the Carpinteria Salt Marsh. Both properties are open the public and I recommend taking a docent-led hike.

From May 2004 - January 2006, I worked as Brand Manager at CallWave, Inc., a company that delivers VoIP-based applications to consumers and telecom service providers, and developed online advertisements and customer retention campaigns. But that wasn't really for me.

And luckily, Santa Barbara Middle School found me in early 2006, where I have been working as Director of Development ever since.

I enjoy cooking, running, kayaking, traveling and tennis (though I'm not very good). My favorite website is Pandora Internet Radio -- it's like a personal DJ. My favorite color is blue. My favorite musicians include Lyle Lovett, Seal, Dido, Uncle Tupelo, Beth Orton, U2 and Snow Patrol. My favorite mountain range is the Minarets located in the Ansel Adams Wilderness, Inyo National Forest. My favorite time to visit Yosemite is when it's raining -- the tourists clear out, ephemeral falls kick in and the moss is happy.

Christine (left) and Development Associate Laurie Lauer (right) after crossing the Golden Gate Bridge on bicycle.