Cannabis for Conservation is the first and only 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit in the cannabis industry strictly dedicated to ecological conservation. Their focus is on the evidence-based land management practices that support native species within cannabis agroecosystems, bringing regenerative farm practices full circle. Cannabis for Conservation mission is to conserve persisting natural resources, restore degraded ecosystems, and educate communities to prevent further impacts from unsustainable cannabis cultivation. Some examples of their work include the establishment of pollinator-friendly native plants, bird nest boxes, and non-lethal predator deterrents.

While CFC does operate as a national organization, their current focus is to partner with farms within the Klamath bioregion of Northern California-- one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, and home to a plethora of protected species. They prioritize partnerships with small, regenerative farms where they restore the habitat for native wildlife and provide resources for effective land management for generations to come.

Join us to hear more about the work being done by this amazing organization and how you can get involved from the co-founder and Executive Director Jackee Riccio and Program Associate Vanessa Montellano.
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    Kandice Hawes-Lopez
    Host of the Friends of the Farm Lecture Series
    Kandice has been a leader in the cannabis space for 20 years. In 2003 she founded Orange County NORML after losing her college financial aid. Since then, OC NORML has become one of the most consistent and strong NORML chapters in the country, earning numerous awards.

    In 2016 Kandice served as the Principal Officer for the PAC that successfully qualified a ballot measure in Santa Ana which led to the cannabis dispensaries operating there today. She currently serves as the Community Outreach and Event Manager at Glass House Brands where she organizes educational programs, oversees their multi-store SB34 program and organizes events for all retail locations.
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    Jackee Riccio
    Co-Founder and Executive Director of Cannabis for Conservation
    Jackee’s career as a wildlife biologist and conservationist has brought her the honor of working with a variety of species and cultures. Living in Humboldt County, CA, she creates and manages our conservation programs for the industry. She is an avid backpacker, horseback rider and packer, skier, and traveler. She loves nothing more than a mountain under her feet, and a view close to the sky.
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    Vanessa Montellano
    Program Associate
    Vanessa is an environmental scientist, and a recent Masters graduate from UC Irvine in Conservation and Restoration Science. She is currently a graduate student at USC’s Spatial Sciences Institute where she will receive a graduate certification in Geographic Information Sciences. Vanessa hopes to be able to use her GIS skills from this program to tell visual stories on how land management practices positively impact wildlife conservation in the Emerald Triangle.
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