David J. Hartesveldt

Principal | Corporate Secretary

Dave is an experienced botanist and wetlands ecologist who has studied the flora of California for much of his adult life. As one of two principals, he shares responsibilities for corporate management.

Dave established Hartesveldt Ecological Consulting (HEC), a sole proprietorship, in February 1995, in Oakhurst, California. Dr. Rick Hopkins joined the firm in 1999, establishing a branch office in San Jose that year. Together, Dave and Rick incorporated what had been HEC in June of 2000 as Live Oak Associates, Inc.

Dave’s work as a wetlands ecologist dates back to 1986. Over the past four decades, he has provided wetlands expertise for hundreds of projects throughout California, in which he has delineated aquatic resources subject to state and federal jurisdiction, secured permits and approvals for wetland impacts, developed mitigation plans subject to approval of state and federal resource agencies, guided wetland creation and restoration efforts, and provided general consulting support to clients regarding wetlands and other jurisdictional waters.

Another of Dave’s areas of expertise is CEQA. His portfolio of CEQA biological studies ranges from simple parcel maps to large, master-planned communities; Dave has supported the latter with the preparation of EIR biological resources sections that are rarely challenged by opposition groups. His comprehensive understanding of the CEQA Guidelines and applicable case law, founded in decades of CEQA-related biological work, make him an invaluable asset to his clients and a key member of any project team.

Dave’s success as a consultant is rooted in his commitment to “let the data drive the conclusions,” a philosophy that he and Rick also uphold for the company at large. Whether delineating vernal pools or assessing a project’s potential impacts on endangered species, Dave begins with a rigorous data collection process, following all applicable guidelines and procedures. He then applies his knowledge of natural resources law and its interpretation, and from that intersection draws clear, defensible conclusions. This approach is to the benefit of Live Oak Associates’ clients because it yields science-based products that are consistently backed by the regulatory agencies and not as vulnerable to litigation.

  • • Graduate Studies. Botany, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA. 1972 to 1976

    • B.A. History, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA. 1969

  • General botany, flora, wetlands, and wildlife issues of California, threatened and endangered species, environmental regulations (CEQA, NEPA, CESA Clean Water Act, Fish and Game Code)

  • • Live Oak Associates, Inc. (formerly Hartesveldt Ecological), Oakhurst, CA. Co-Owner, President, Senior Botanist and Wetland Scientist. 1995 to Present.

    • Consulting Biologist 1985 to present.

    • Crater Lake National Park, OR. Park Ranger. Summer Season, 1979 and 1980.

    • Illinois Valley High School, Cave Junction, OR. High School Teacher. 1978 to 1986.

  • • Wetland Delineation Refresher, Wetland Training Institute. 1/95

    • Jurisdictional Delineation of Wetlands in the San Francisco Bay Region, American Fisheries Society. 5/88

  • David enjoys hiking, birding, botanizing, gardening, and domestic and international travel.

“I enjoy a day in the field collecting data related to natural resource issues our clients face. Over the years I have particularly enjoyed collaborating on a variety of natural resource issues with my staff and business partner who have exposed me to various biological disciplines that I have found to be interesting and useful in the work I do.”
— David