Our Tireless Staff

Bill Toone is the director of ECOLIFE and a widely recognized conservation biologist and spokesperson for conservation.  Starting in early phases of California condor recovery program he played a key role in the development of endangered species recovery strategies for what was North America’s most endangered bird.  Later as director of applied conservation programs for the Zoological Society of San Diego his work carried him through a variety of conservation efforts throughout the world.  Today as the founder and executive director of ECOLIFE he is striving for a new and innovative approach in conservation that holistically addresses both wildlife and human needs.

Bill Toone, a renowned lecturer, spoke to over 2000 individuals worldwide in 2009. Through over 20 different talks and lectures, Mr. Toone shared with audiences ranging from university students to senior citizens, the critical opportunity they have today to conserve the world’s natural resources for a better future.

Mike is a photographer and naturalist specializing in amphibians, fish, and other aquatic life.  He has worked as an aquarist in wide variety of scientific and commercial endeavors.  Mike is dedicated to the preservation the freshwater and marine habitats, and to the advancement of captive husbandry and sustainable aquaculture as a tool for conservation and research.

Janai was born in Leucadia, CA and has lived all over north county.  After graduating high school, she attended Johnson & Wales University in Denver, CO for a year to study Sports/Entertainment/Event Management. After that, she transferred to Sonoma State University where she graduated Cum Laude with her BA in Communication Studies in 2009. While attending SSU, Janai was an NCAA volleyball student-athlete.

Janai has been working since she was 13 and has become a jack of all trades. She has worked in many different industries: events, service, sports, education, and has managed two retail stores.

Her hobbies include playing volleyball, practicing yoga, singing, organizing, making DIY projects/crafts, practicing sustainable living, and green interior design!

Janai has wanted to work at ECOLIFE since its conception, and is very happy to be a part of the team.

A community-based conservationist, Maren has worked with local communities around the world to address conflicts between people's daily needs and resources.  She uses these experiences to build capacity for ECOLIFE's local and international programs.  ECOLIFE's commitment to thoughtful conservation that incorporates people and their needs into the solution led Maren to work for ECOLIFE.

Maren has been conducting research and outreach in international conservation for over 10 years.  Most recently, she has consulted for the San Diego Zoo's Institute for Conservation Research on a Protected Area Management Plan in Vietnam as well as provided conservation education and technical support for many of the Institute's local and international conservation projects, - filling the need to link conservation to local communities.  She also consulted for the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden to develop a Protected Area Development plan for the Zoo's work with a United Nation's Biosphere Reserve in Mexico. Maren has a MA in Geography from Miami University, Ohio.