Kris Spitaleri
Emerald Sanctuary Founder & Director
Straw House Designer, Architect
Kris’ animal rescue efforts began with saving goldfish from being flushed away after an elementary school fair. This formative experience sparked his life-long passion for animal welfare. He began posting flyers around town asking people to drop off unwanted animals at his place for long term care.
This inspired his first architectural experiences - building custom aviaries and enclosures for animals he rescued. These habitats would go on to become known as the Emerald Sanctuary. His parents, famous Laguna Beach philanthropists, Vernon & Cherry Spitaleri, further encouraged his skills by asking him to design a cabin for the family. Kris and his family built his design to completion. The stunning geodesic creation is located in a secluded part of the San Jacinto mountains!
After earning his architectural degree, at California Polytechnic SLO, while still operating the animal sanctuary, he continued serving Laguna Beach as a designer, builder and renovator on local projects. For several years Kris then traveled by backpack around the world. From spending time with mother Teresa in Calcutta India, to living with Aborigines in the Australian outback. He studied animal rehab with the Birtles, the same people who trained and inspired the "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin's family. Then to camping with the nomads in the Tibetan Himalayas and on to many other parts of the world.
His building efforts restored hope to victims of the Yugoslav war. Kris founded the Dawn Society which helped bring relief to orphans, save the lives of refugees, and teach people to live in peace by creating a project that brought refugees of opposing sides together to help re-build each other's homes after the ravages of war.
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He co-founded the Afghan Amity Society to bring relief and restoration to victims of war in Afghanistan. Kris designed a self sustaining multi-functional center consisting of schools, housing, cultural arts complex, orphanage, regenerative food garden, self contained green energy systems, medical clinic, and ecology center to rebuild the region in a clean and sustainable way.
Now, Kris' attention is turned back home to his roots in Laguna, where he is offering his lifetime of knowledge and skill for the benefit of the community. He teamed up with Pacific Wildlife Project (PWP) more than a decade ago. The Emerald Sanctuary took in many of PWP’s creatures for further rehab and release. Laguna residents know, the Straw House has been a tremendous labor of love that was slowed by Kris making himself available for years of sleepless nights at the bedside of his parents until thier passing.
The Straw House is dedicated to Cherry & Vern, in loving memory, and in continuation of their legacy.
Linda Mcleod
Pacific Wildlife Project co-Founder,
CFO
In 1986 she and her veterinarian/biologist husband, Richard, set up the Pacific Wildlife Project. A volunteer group that rescues wild birds (mostly brown pelicans) from Los Angeles to San Diego County. Their garage became a clinic, their backyard a pelican habitat aviary.
McLeod-Evans' love of birds goes back to her childhood in rural northern Florida. "My mother was always rescuing something.....baby birds, baby squirrels, cats," she says. "I grew up with that ethic."
In I982 Linda began working as a veterinary assistant-and devoting more and more personal time to her passion. She met Richard when she was referred to him for a problem with an ailing mockingbird. They married a year and a half later.
The Project has been a key agency in crisis response and has rescued wildlife during fires and severe weather events, assisted agencies in emergency care of birds affected by fuel and crude oil, and responded for more than seven consecutive years to "the Worst Brown Pelican Die-off in the Nation's History" - the botulism outbreak at the Salton Sea. Pacific Wildlife Project, the lead agency in that disaster event, trained U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service personnel, established treatment and response protocols, and rallied over two hundred community volunteers to successfully rescue and treat over 4000 Pelicans.
The Project was subsequently honored with the Special Recognition Award from the United States Department of the Interior for its contribution to the nation's endangered wildlife. Pacific Wildlife Project's team of volunteers currently has the distinction of treating more pelicans than any facility worldwide! The project has no outside financing; donations come from fellow bird and animal lovers.
The reward, for McLeod-Evans, is being around birds and watching them grow healthy and fly free again.
VOLUNTEERS
Ronald C. Drifka
V. P. of Pacific Wildlife Project
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Ron is a biologist and life-long environmentalist devoted to animal welfare.
In addition to his work with PWP, he served with;
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United States Fish & Wildlife Service as Law Enforcement and Outreach Education
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Firefighter US Dept. Forestry Service
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Zookeeper, Los Angeles Zoo
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Joness Jones
Creative Director
Joness began cultivating communities in 2009,
from New York to Los Angeles - focusing on the global discussion of the at times mystic edge between art & nature.
She assisted in cultivating social media networks which reached millions of people to themed on inspiring greater levels of creative, conscious living.
As an artist, Joness has painted live more than 100 times at venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado, The Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Oregon, and has had her work featured with Dead & Company ( the most recent iteration of the Grateful Dead with John Mayer )
She is inspired by her great-grea-great uncle, George Caleb Bingham, a historic American painter & legislator who fought against the Westward expansion of slavery.
Anya Gorley
Ambassador
Classically trained in flute, voice, theatre, dance and painting, Anya now turns to metal adornments as a medium to share her natural sculptural designs with everyone.
Born to a family of artists in Laguna Beach, California, Anya draws on the natural beauty of her home in her handcrafted, organic designs. Her father and uncle, Roark and Ryan Gourley, built the first three-story Sawdust booth in 1969 as teenagers.
Grandpa Donald, an engineer, approved the booth plans with his architectural stamp! A Laguna Beach High School alumna, she continued on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies from Columbia University with honors.
Since 2023, her handcrafted work has been shown at the Laguna Beach Sawdust Art Festival, where her family has been exhibiting since 1969. Her hobbies include hiking, learning languages and playing banjo.
Thank You to Our Long Term
Supporters & Volunteers
Straw House Builders
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Emily, Sophie, Sonya, Flow, Anya, Bridgette, Dylan, Pierre, Jean-Paul, Abby, Mailys, Butterfly, Jade, Tim, Justin, Carol, Claire, Alai, Sheryl, Eric, Scott, Joey, Rocky, Kait, Josephine, Stephanie, Alex, Brionna, Karl, Viv, Dahlia, James, Heather, Mike, Brett, Joanne, Gabby, Gordon, Will, Grace, Leslie, Axel, Gary, Louis, Amber, Paul, Miguel Jr., Armando, Flavie, Merideth, Victoria, Angie, Nathaniel, Bethany, Scott II, James II, Lori, Dan, Ted, Mango, Rachel, Karen, Wendy, Kellie, Bella, Suzanne, Eva, Hana, Nolan, Zoe, Marie, Roberto, Ed, Jack, Joey, Brittany, Sierra, Christine, Paulette, John, Margot, Kate, Esther, Aubane, Isabella, Tania, Beatrice, Tara, Heike, Janet, Sam, Amanda, Lisa, Kylie, Emma, Mona, Carrie, Dora, Nina, Shelly, Bre, Michelle, Jenny, Joseph, Ella, Pamela, Madeline, River, Akira, Bill, Francis, Amy, Tia, Mzuri + others!
Professor Kara D. McLeod
Pacific Wildlife Project CEO, Professor of Economics
Dr. Lawrence Palkovic
PHD in Botany, Harvard
Frank Vibrans
IT Specialist
John Mattson
BA Biology, UCLA
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Dr. Ronald B. Beckman
Medical Research Director, Physicist, Inventor, Craftsman, Artist
Basil Tangredi DVM
Wildlife Veterinarian, Former Director of
National Wildlife Rehabilitators
Association, Veterinary Advisor
Sharon Henderson
Animal Rescuer & Advocate
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In loving memory
Richard H. Evans, DVM, MS, Co-founder of Pacific Wildlife Project
Born on December 27, 1946 – Brooklyn, New York
Richard lived a life of service, science, and compassion that touched the lives of countless people, animals, and ecosystems around the world. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from 1964–1968, as a ParaRescue Sergeant (E4) with Detachment 4, 1st Medical Service Wing (ARRS) in Southeast Asia. Even after his active duty ended, his dedication to service continued as a lifelong member of the Air Force Inactive Reserves.
After returning home, he pursued higher education with the same intensity and dedication. He studied at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville (1972–1975) before earning his Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences (1977) and Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (1979) from the University of Illinois, where he also completed externships at the St. Louis Zoo and the Lincoln Park Zoo. He went on to complete a Master of Science in Wildlife Pathology/Biology (1985) at Southern Illinois University. His passion for continuing education carried throughout his life, attending advanced seminars at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, and numerous international conferences.
Over the course of his career, he built a legacy as one of the most respected figures in wildlife medicine and pathology. He served as Director of the Avian and Exotic Animal Diagnostic and Research Unit at Ralston Purina in St. Louis (1979–1985), later working as a veterinary consultant, practicing clinician, and private pathology specialist. In 1989, he became the Veterinarian for the City of Laguna Beach Animal Control, and later, Chief of Veterinary Services for the Orange County Health Care Agency’s Veterinary Public Health Division, a role he held with distinction.
He co-founded and directed several important organizations dedicated to animal welfare and research, including the TreeHouse Wildlife Treatment and Disease Study Center in Illinois and the Pacific Wildlife Project in Laguna Niguel, California. He also served as Medical Director of Friends of the Sea Lion (Pacific Marine Mammal Center, Laguna Beach) beginning in 1990, where he oversaw groundbreaking work in marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation.
His expertise was sought globally—he served as a consultant pathologist for institutions such as the Audubon Park Zoo in New Orleans, the St. Louis Zoological Park, and the Game Bird Preservation Center in Utah. He also advised the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on critical recovery and conservation efforts.
A prolific scholar and educator, he authored dozens of scientific articles and book chapters on subjects ranging from zoonotic diseases to marine mammal pathology. He delivered presentations and lectures worldwide, from Paris and Barcelona to Toronto and San Diego, generously sharing his knowledge to advance veterinary medicine and wildlife conservation.
He held memberships in more than 20 professional associations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association, the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (where he served as Past-President and Chairman of the Board), the Wildlife Disease Association, and the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians.
His contributions were recognized through numerous awards, including the Lester Fisher Award for Proficiency in Small Animal Medicine (1979), the Nero Award from the Zoological Society of Orange County (1992), and the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (2002). He was also listed in Who’s Who in Science and Technology and Who’s Who in California.
Beyond his extraordinary professional achievements, he was a devoted husband to Linda McLeod-Evans and a steadfast friend, mentor, and advocate for those who shared his passion for animals and the natural world. His work with raptors, marine mammals, wild carnivores, and countless other species leaves a living legacy in the health of wildlife populations and the field of veterinary medicine.
He will be remembered not only for his brilliance as a scientist and healer but for his unwavering compassion—for people, for animals, and for the fragile ecosystems he worked tirelessly to protect. His life’s work continues to inspire the next generation of conservationists.
