About Us

Natural Resources Department

Stewardship

Caring for land, water & heritage

The Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians Natural Resources Department (NRD) was established in 2007 to promote a safe, healthy, and sustainable environment for Tribal members. The mission of the NRD is to “preserve, protect and enhance ecosystems, human health and cultural resources on Tribal land for the Tribe, community, and future generations through pollution prevention, restoration, community education and partnerships.” The Department shares a vision with the Tribal community to foster a greater appreciation and understanding for natural resources and tribal heritage among Indians and non-Indians alike. The Tribe’s overall goal for strategic resource management is to restore and preserve resources for this and future generations. The NRD adapts traditional cultural management strategies with contemporary, science-based methods to attain healthy ecosystems — building functioning ecosystems on Tribal properties and surrounding lands that enhance lifeways, resource management, and educational programs.

Michael DeSpain

Chief Operations Officer / Natural Resource Director

Michael DeSpain has over 40 years of professional experience in all aspects of Natural Resources, Environmental, Housing, Emergency Management, Wildland Fire, Transportation, and Historic Preservation, and is a graduate of the Emergency Management Institute Advanced Academy (NEMMA). As the Tribe’s Chief Operations Officer and Natural Resource Director, he oversees the water/wastewater treatment plant and fire station and supports the Tribe’s economic development. He is a certified instructor for NIMS, CERT, Cultural Resource Management, Wildland Fire and Aviation (NWCG), and an adjunct instructor for FEMA and Pierce College in Washington State. He also serves as a Tribal Representative for the California Office of Emergency Services First Responders Network, a member of the CalFire Headquarters Tribal Policy working group, Region 9 Tribal Operations Emergency work group lead, and Emergency Manager for Global Vision Consortium. He has written, awarded, and administered numerous U.S. EPA and P.L. 83-638 contracts with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian Health Service, Bureau of Reclamation, HUD, National Park Service, and Natural Resource Conservation Service, and has been a grant proposal reviewer for the FEMA Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program (2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016) and an NTIA grant reviewer for Broadband in 2021 and 2022.

Jasleen Sandhu

Assistant Natural Resource Director

Jasleen Sandhu first joined Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians in November 2021, overseeing the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program for the Tribe. She returned in July 2024 to assist the Natural Resource Director and the Natural Resource Department. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies, along with two Associate of Science degrees in Natural Resources and Biology from California State University, Sacramento, and Sierra College. She is dedicated to continuing Buena Vista Rancheria practices in protecting natural and cultural resources.

Petra Silverman

Wetlands and TEK Coordinator

Petra began working for the Tribe in July 2024. She holds a B.S. in Evolution, Ecology, & Biodiversity and a B.A. in Spanish from the University of California, Davis. In her previous work experience, Petra has a history in cross-agency, community-centered, and inter-tribal conservation collaborations. Her position is spliced between natural and cultural resource stewardship. Her wetlands role involves monitoring, surveying, planning, and hands-on restoration, centered around culturally rich wetland habitat that remains significant to Me-Wuk lifeways. As TEK Coordinator, Petra assists with more culturally sensitive tasks under guidance from the Tribal Historic Preservation Office. She is also a prescribed fire practitioner and looks forward to increasing the Tribe’s capacity for beneficial fire.

Matessa Perrigo

Groundwater Program Coordinator

Matessa joined the Natural Resources Department in February 2024. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Management, specializing in Watershed Science, from the University of California, Davis. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Biological Sciences at California State University, Sacramento, where her research focuses on vernal pool ecology.

As Groundwater Program Coordinator, she monitors groundwater quality and quantity on the reservation to aid in sustainable groundwater management and water treatment operations. She is dedicated to promoting water management practices that honor the Tribe’s cultural heritage and long-standing stewardship of the environment.

Vannhi Huynh

Water Program Coordinator

Vannhi Huynh joined the Buena Vista Rancheria’s Natural Resources Department as Water Program Coordinator in December 2025. She holds a master’s degree in Coastal Science and Policy, specializing in evaluating wetland ecosystem services and GIS. Her role includes water sampling, reducing non-point sources of pollution, and improving overall water quality for the tribal community. She is passionate about environmental stewardship and the preservation of Me-Wuk cultural heritage.