HRG- People

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ECOLOGICAL APPROACH

PARTNERS

The Habitat Restoration Group

A division of the Benthic Lab at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories

Who We Are
	Gage Dayton I received my undergraduate degree from Humboldt State University and my Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. I am an ecologist broadly interested in the factors that regulate species persistence and community structure. My current work is centers on restoring freshwater habitats in the Salinas Valley and monitoring the impact restoration efforts have on water quality and native flora and fauna. I am working with local landowners, state agencies, and private organizations to protect and restore freshwater environments throughout the region. Gage gets more specific on what he does here
	Kevin O'Connor Central Coast Wetland Working Group Coordinator Kevin O'Connor joined the Habitat Restoration group in December 2007. He completed his B.A. in Environmental Studies/Biology at UCSC in 2004, emphasizing in marine biology and environmental policy. He recently completed his MS in Biology at San Diego State University. He studied fish-habitat relationships and his thesis is titled "Consequences of habitat disturbance and recovery to recruitment and the abundance of kelp forest fishes." You can find more information about Kevin's project here. Currently Kevin is the Central Coast CRAM team leader and will be in the field conducting assessments this summer. He also is coordinating with the Central Coast Wetland Working Group to acquire new grants and expand the group. We look forward to the evolution of Kevin's role in our group and what he will bring to our group!
	Kellie Rey Research Assistant Kellie is a graduate of the Environmental Studies program at UC Santa Cruz, where she received her B.A. with a focus in field Biology and Ecology. She has worked with the Habitat Restoration Group for over two years, and has filled many positions during her time here, including work with propagation and planting of native plants, monitoring, and wetland assessment under the CRAM program. Kellie loves amphibians and reptiles, especially salamanders. Her favorite plants are Artemisia californica (California Sage) and Scirpus pungens (Three Square Rush), and her favorite colors are turquoise and red. She is an accomplished photographer and artist, and her graphic skills are an asset to her work. She brings fresh enthusiasm and diligent hard work to her role in the restoration group.
	Cara Clark Research Assistant Cara is a graduate student at CSUMB studying Coastal and Watershed Science and Policy. She graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 2002 with a BS in Earth Science, focusing in Environmental Geology. She has been doing habitat restoration in the Monterey Bay area for over 3 years. Cara loves working in wetlands because she loves to be outdoors and truly appreciates the beauty of mother earth and her creatures. Although trained as a geologist she quickly expanded her knowledge to plants and animals. In 2005 she started working on the CRAM project, helping to field test and validate the assessment method. She is continuing with CRAM to include it as part of her graduate studies. Her favorite wetland plants are Juncus xiphiodes (Iris Leaved Rush) and Potentilla anserina (Pacific Silver Weed), her favorite crystal is Tourmaline, and her favorite colors are purple and green. Cara is and will continue to be a great asset to the scientific and restoration community.
	Puka CRAM FIELD DOG/OFFICE FRIEND Puka is a new addition to our family. She is a two-year old chiuhauha/ rat trerrior mix. She brings fresh enthusiasm to the work we do. She loves to jump through grass and smell things. She is a team player and loves to eat cookies and go for walks on the beach. She is very talented at doing tricks and has a well stocked arsenal. She is an avid licker and will clean your hands for you. She has a lot to learn about crossing channels and assessing wetlands but she is a very bright canine and will pick it up as she goes. Keep your eyes out for good things from Puka.