Your man on the ground and eye in the sky.
Helping San Diego's watershed and habitat restorers tell their story — and backing it up with data.
Documenting restoration where it happens.
Drone mapping and aerial video for habitat and watershed restoration across San Diego's canyons and creeks — including ongoing work in the Chollas Creek watershed.
Aerial Video & Storytelling
Get-to-know-your-canyon fly-throughs, hero shots, and short films that build public awareness and rally support for your sites.
Aerial Data & Mapping
Detailed aerial imagery and precise measurements: orthomosaics, elevation and bare-earth models, and repeatable capture you can hand to your own analysts.
The Living Record
Scheduled revisits that document each site before, during, and after restoration — one continuous record of progress over time.
Why work with me
What you get working with me instead of a one-off drone vendor.
Embedded in the effort
I already work alongside the organizations restoring San Diego's watersheds — not a one-off vendor.
Tailored to your mission
Each project shaped to your organization's goals; I cover the gaps standardized drone services leave behind.
One flight, two deliverables
Map and video captured in the same trip, so every visit does double duty.
Field-ready anywhere
Comfortable in remote, rugged terrain, drawing on a Navy uncrewed-systems background.
Season-to-season continuity
The same operator, same flight paths, documenting your sites over time, building one consistent record.
Check out what clients say
"Rod is really great to work with and has produced some incredible drone footage and site surveys to support our community enhancement work in the Chollas Creek Watershed. Highly recommend!!"
Allie McCarthy
Deputy Director, Groundwork San Diego
"Great option for anyone looking for a licensed drone pilot for any drone-related work!"
Nico Shirey,
Nico Shirey Photography
"Very professional, FAA certified, and worth the price!"
Michael Knauer,
Uncrewed Systems Manager
"He did our drone videos and photos for our monthly Rides & Coffee event. Highly recommend — great quality, and we'll definitely continue using his services."
Stephanie Valdez,
General Manager, Detail Garage San Diego
On the ground & in the air at every step
I'm Rod — a field-ready drone operator and problem-solver who turns restoration work into aerial documentation that funders and communities can actually see. Backed by a Navy uncrewed-systems background and grounded in San Diego's watersheds, building a living record of the places you're working to restore.
Socials
Let's make your restoration work visible.
Tell me about your site and your mission — I'll tailor the capture to fit.