Cooperative Extension

My broad focus as a cooperative extension specialist is the health and productivity of coastal habitats. This region is of critical importance for the state both from the perspective of coastal habitats providing necessary ecological services and also being an importance source of economic activity for the state. From fisheries and aquaculture to coastal tourism, these coastal areas bring many billions of dollars or revenue into the state. However, many valuable coastal habitats are at risk from a range of human-mediated stressors including habitat loss, invasive species, contaminants, overexploitation and other processes. As a cooperative extension specialist, I use my knowledge and expertise to help solve important questions regarding coastal natural resources in California at the intersection between human needs and sustainable natural resource management.

Preventing Species Invasions
Much of my recent work has followed my specific expertise in invasive non-native species. Invasive species cost the United States more than $100 billion annually, and California spends many millions on invasive species in aquatic systems alone. My efforts have focused on the needs of agencies and stakeholder groups as well as many associated industries that must grapple with the management problems caused by invasive species in coastal areas. My work with my outreach staff has focused on preventing new introductions of invasive species in California. Prevention of new introductions and rapid identification and eradication of newly established invasions is by far the most cost effective means of managing invasive species. A critical step in the prevention of future invasions is to educate industries involved in the sales and distribution of coastal invasive species including the aquaria and pet trade, seafood importers, landscape contractors, nurseries and aquatic plant dealers, seafood importers, bait dealers, and others, about the costs and consequences of unwanted introductions. These industries often sell non-native species that have the potential to become pests if they are introduced to the waters of California.

Our work in this area has involved developing a program called RIDNIS (Reducing the Introduction and Distribution of Non-native Invasive Species), which focuses on this broad range of non-ballast water pathways for invasion. By conducting a series of workshops, creating educational materials such as posters, pamphlets and videos, developing recommendations for industries selling potentially invasive species, and involving these industries in the education of their consumer base, we hope to raise the level of awareness regarding invasive species and change the behaviors of both businesses and consumers to minimize the possibility of future introductions. Several of our publications have been developed in other languages including Spanish and Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese). For more information on the workshops, industry and consumer recommendations, educational products and other aspects of this project, go to the RIDNIS website.

Coastal Restoration and Management
Another part of my cooperative extension efforts have been devoted towards developing partnerships among resource agencies and stakeholder groups interested in restoring coastal habitats. My extension work with native oysters has dove-tailed with my applied research (see research section) and involves close collaboration with many organizations that have plans for restoration of native oysters, eelgrasses and native salt marsh plants. These involved working with state (California Ocean Protection Council, California Department of Fish and Game) and federal agencies (National Park Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service) and local groups (Marin Rod and Gun Club, Tomales Bay Watershed Council, Hog Island Oyster Company) to develop plans and protocols for restoring native oysters in San Francisco Bay and Tomales Bay. My work here has been to provide my expertise and work and helping these groups further their goals and to assist stakeholder groups and local business with their concerns.

I have also worked with a wide range of agency and stakeholder groups concerned with or affected by broad-scale eradication of invasive species. Examples of this work include helping to organize workshops for local residents in Willapa Bay, WA affected by eradication of Spartina. Pacific oyster growers and resource managers strongly favor the program, while other groups concerned with the use of herbicides for eradication oppose these programs. Other examples include organizing similar workshops to address the science, education and management issues surrounding important introduced species in California such as Caulerpa taxifolia in southern California and Spartina in San Francisco Bay. My work in these projects has involved providing information to the full range of agency personnel, industry representatives and members of the public via these workshops in order to help opposing groups better understand the processes they are debating and more successfully find a resolution to their conflicts.