Exciting News: Ronnie Pessetto Joins Seven Canyons Trust as Executive Director

We’re thrilled to welcome Ronnie Pessetto as the new Executive Director of Seven Canyons Trust! Ronnie’s passion for nature, strong leadership, and dedication to building thriving communities perfectly align with our mission to restore and revitalize urban waterways. We couldn’t be more excited to have her on board!

In her own words:

“I’m thrilled to introduce myself as the new Executive Director of Seven Canyons Trust, an organization whose mission deeply resonates with my personal journey and professional passion. Growing up in Kentucky, some of my most cherished memories were of playing in water—splashing, exploring, and connecting with nature. Those moments of discovery instilled in me a profound appreciation for the role waterways play in shaping not just landscapes, but also lives and communities.

As I step into this role, I carry with me a vision for reconnecting our urban fabric to the natural lifelines that flow beneath us, often forgotten. In our cities, creeks and streams—once vital to the rhythm of community life—have been buried in the name of progress, hidden under asphalt and concrete. But ignoring these waterways is a missed opportunity to embrace the essential interplay between nature and urban life.

Daylighting these buried creeks isn’t just an environmental restoration project; it’s a means of revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering resilience, and creating places where people gather, connect, and thrive. Imagine children playing in the shallows, families picnicking on creekside lawns, and joggers tracing the flow of a newly unearthed stream. A daylighted creek becomes more than just a waterway—it’s a rediscovered identity for the community, a whisper of history, and a promise of a future where nature and city life coexist harmoniously.

But as we work toward daylighting, we must ensure the process is as inclusive as the spaces we aim to create. Urban waterways run through diverse neighborhoods, touching the lives of people from all walks of life. Their restoration must amplify the voices of all communities—especially those historically underserved or marginalized—ensuring that every step of the journey reflects and respects their needs, stories, and dreams. Daylighting creeks is not just about uncovering water; it’s about fostering equity, celebrating diversity, and creating spaces where everyone feels seen and welcomed.

Ecologically, the benefits of daylighting are undeniable. Streams, when allowed to breathe, filter pollutants, support biodiversity, and provide vital habitats. They mitigate flooding and cool urban heat islands, acting as arteries of resilience for the city. But beyond these tangible benefits lies something even more profound—a reminder that cities are living systems, not machines. When we honor the natural elements that pulse through them, we create spaces that are not only functional but deeply human.

Of course, such transformations come with challenges. Daylighting creeks demands undoing past decisions, significant investment, and long-term commitment. Yet the rewards far outweigh the costs: vibrant ecosystems, strengthened communities, and a renewed sense of place.

At Seven Canyons Trust, we are not just uncovering streams; we’re uncovering possibilities. Together, we can reimagine our urban landscapes as interconnected systems where natural waterways are central to community life and inclusivity is a guiding principle. As someone whose earliest connection to nature began at the water’s edge, I am honored to lead this mission and work alongside all of you to bring our shared vision to life.”