Matthew Christman
Matt was hired in early November 2023 as a Project Manager for Tucson’s Parks & Recreation Department. Rio Vista is one of seven projects that he currently manages. The Rio Vista project came about because the City of Tucson voters approved Proposition 407 in November 2018, a $225 million bond package aimed for capital improvements. Approximately $330K of the monies is earmarked for Rio Vista, and we have been closely watching the progress.
 
Matt is originally from Wisconsin but calls Arizona his home. He has worked for over ten years in Parks and Recreation departments, seven of which were for Marana’s Park System. He is happy to be back in Arizona (after a few years in Texas and South Carolina). He has picked up where Tom Fisher left off, managing all aspects of the park's implementation plan—from upgrading the natural aspects to improving the signage, fencing, irrigation and more. He has been very responsive to neighbors' requests, a real team player. The project is on schedule and under budget, so we are thrilled to have him on board!

Catlow Shipek
Many of you may have seen Catlow biking or jogging in the neighborhood. His love of the outdoors and the environment permeates his life both at home and at work.  As Senior Program Director at Watershed Management Group, Catlow takes his passion for saving our planet seriously. His home next to Rio Vista is a model for Sonoran Desert living. He bikes or takes the bus and doesn’t own a car. His knowledge of applied watershed management, planning and policy specializing in urban applications like water harvesting, green infrastructure, stream restoration, and eco-sanitation is extensive.
 
Catlow has assembled a fantastic team of local restoration experts passionate about their work.

◦ The excavators. Jeff Rhody from Dryland Design is a local landscaper specializing in water harvesting and making the world more sustainable.

◦ The trails people. Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC) is renowned for connecting young adults and recent vets with conservation service work.  They work in almost any terrain.

◦ The plant/habitat people. Tucson Audubon has started work of removing invasive plants such as Rhus lancea (African sumac). They will be back in October. And Carianne Funicelli of Strategic Habitat Enhancements (SHE) who designed the planting, will begin seeding and leading volunteers with planting in late August.