Contact us: manager@eastmercedrcd.org
Board of Directors
EMRCD is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of local landowners. The EMRCD board members collaborate with private and public landowners to address natural resource concerns on their property utilizing Best Management Practices (BMP’s) to enhance conservation awareness in the community. Click the following link to view the Resource Conservation District Guidebook volume 1. A guide to district operations and management.
President
John Magneson is a highly accomplished educator, administrative leader, and expert outdoorsman based in Merced, California. With a deep, lifelong commitment to educational excellence and community service, he has built a distinguished career in public education alongside a deep-rooted connection to local agriculture.
Professional Background & Heritage
John holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Stanislaus State University and a Master’s in Education from Fresno Pacific University. Armed with credentials in English and as a teacher-librarian, alongside multiple administrative and leadership certifications, his professional journey spans roles across various school districts and colleges. Most notably, he served with distinction as the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services for the Merced County Office of Education until his retirement in 2023.
In addition to his career in education, John is deeply tied to the Magneson family farm and dairy located along the Merced River near Ballico. First established in 1890 when the land was purchased by his ancestors Charles and Christina Magneson, the historic property has been a cornerstone of the family for generations. Over the years, the farm transitioned into a highly successful, fully organic dairy operation milking hundreds of Holstein cattle on lush, irrigated pastures. Deeply committed to agricultural stewardship, the family partnered with the California Farmland Trust to place the hundreds of acres of prime farmland under permanent agricultural conservation easements, ensuring the historic property and its river-adjacent wildlife habitats are protected from development forever.
Personal Life & Interests
Beyond his dedication to education and local heritage, John is an elite whitewater kayaker and river guide. Renowned within the paddling community for his technical skill, he has navigated Class 5 rivers and achieved notable first descents on challenging river expedition routes. When he isn’t out on the water, John is deeply invested in genealogical research, gardening, and the digital preservation of history. He has spent considerable time preserving his own family's rich legacy—including the 20th-century history of the Strawbridge and Magneson families—meticulously transcribing historical letters and spearheading digital photo restoration projects to keep family history alive for future generations.
John is married to Kymm Costa, and together they share a vibrant blended family that includes his two daughters and two stepdaughters.
Vice President
Joy Baccei is the Director of the UC Merced Vernal Pools & Grassland Reserve (MVPGR) within the UC Natural Reserve System. Since joining UC Merced in 2020, she has worked to advance the UC mission of teaching, research, and public service by stewarding protected natural landscapes and fostering deeper understanding of California’s ecosystems.
With over two decades of experience in wetland and plant ecology, she previously worked with the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service, including 18 years at Yosemite National Park in ecological restoration, watershed science, and wilderness management. She holds a BS in Watershed Management from Humboldt State University and an MS in Environmental Systems from UC Merced.
Learn More about Joy's Work
Vacant
Board Secretary
Vacant
Board Treasurer
Director
Lynn Sullivan is a dedicated restoration advocate for the Merced River. For over forty years, she and her husband, Michael, with some help from NRCS and USFWS, Partners for Wildlife, have transformed dredging tailings into native riparian habitats with remarkable success. They have witnessed the insects, birds, and mammals return in great abundance.
Lynn received her bachelor's from California State University, Fresno, in Biology with an emphasis in Ecology and a minor in Chemistry. All along, she has been growing pistachios and educating the public in the field of urology; later, she obtained her advanced degree from the University of California, Merced, in Environmental Systems, with an emphasis on hydrology. In 2025, Lynn received her Master of Science in Law, Water and Environmental Science from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. Lynn has retired from lecturing on several environmental engineering courses at the University of California, Merced, where students reflected and synthesized cutting-edge technology relevant to sustainability.
Lynn enjoys traveling to regions of high biodiversity loss to SCUBA, photographing, and imparting her stories to her students. She has been actively involved with the Salmonids in the Classroom Project and Sierra Nevada Research Institute over the decades. Lynn is an All-American Swimmer in High School, College and a Master Swimmer. You may find her at the UC Merced Swimming Pool.
Director
As a Point Blue Conservation Science partner biologist, I work with farmers and ranchers in Merced county and surrounding area to facilitate conservation planning and provide technical assistance. The goal is to build soil health, promote wildlife habitat and ecosystem services while maintaining economic function in the face of challenges like climate change and water shortage in the Central Valley.
Additionally, I monitor wetlands and conduct soil, vegetation, and bird surveys on rangelands through The Rangeland Monitoring Network. I'm particularly passionate about regenerative agriculture and encouraging integrated crop-livestock systems.
Originally from Texas, I grew up with a love for nature and horses. At Stanford University I obtained my B.S. and M.S. in Earth Systems with a focus on Land Systems and competed on the Western Equitation Team. A pivotal internship with The Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia and their emphasis on working with ranchers to secure a livelihood for wildlife and people inspired me to want to work at the intersection of ranching and conservation. I later interned at Santa Lucia Conservancy and TomKat Ranch, the latter of which is where I first encountered Point Blue. While I enjoyed my brief time assisting ranchers working for PastureMap, I quickly realized I missed being out on the land. Moving to Merced in 2020 for the partner biologist position, I’ve enjoyed working with ranchers, but also expanding my knowledge to work in orchards, cropland, and dairies.
You can read more about my journey in TomKat's "Where are they now" article.
When not out in the field, you can find me gardening, hiking with my mini Australian Shepherd, or dancing. I teach salsa and bachata classes in Merced, but my passion is Brazilian dances which I travel internationally to compete. While I love traveling, I'm happy to call Merced home.