Speaker for August 13, 2012 - Alan Ehrgott

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(Pictured above Alan Ehrgott with NASA Zeppelin. Also with son Michael on Mt. Kilimanjaro)

In the 1970’s Alan attended the University of California earning a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in environmental administration.  Following brief employment as a county planner, Alan hiked the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada and then the length of Baja California.  In 1973 Alan founded Pacific Adventures, a company that designed and led trekking, biking, sailing, scuba diving and wildlife safaris throughout the world over the next 10 years. 

In 1983, Alan and his wife Cindi purchased an historic 1852 home in Coloma from artist George Mathis and restored the home as the Coloma Country Inn in 1984.  There Cindi and Alan raised two children Jenny and Michael while working as an innkeeper and hot-air balloon pilot. 

Over the past 23 years, Alan has served as the executive director of the American River Conservancy overseeing its education, stewardship and conservation programs.  During this time, Alan has raised $74 million to complete 76 conservation projects protecting 12,400 acres of native fisheries, wildlife habitat and cultural sites within the American River watershed.  Their daughter Jenny will complete law school at the University of San Diego this year and son Michael graduated from Chico State with a degree in international relations and is now serving as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard.