Scientific Advisory Committee

The Younger Lagoon Reserve Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) provides guidance for the restoration, enhancement, and management efforts at YLR, and collaborates with YLR staff on the creation and implementation of the Specific Resource Plan as outlined UCSC’s Coastal Long Range Development Plan.

The SAC was seated in January 2009.  In addition to the chair, membership of the committee is comprised of three independent professionals and academicians experienced in and knowledgeable about the habitats of the natural areas on the Coastal Science Campus. Brief bios of the four SAC members are below.

  • portrait of professor Karen Holl

    Dr. Karen Holl- Professor, Environmental Studies, University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC) & SAC Chairperson

    Dr. Karen Holl has been on the faculty in the Environmental Studies Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz for over 15 years.  She has conducted research on restoration ecology in a wide variety of ecosystems, including tropical rain forests, eastern hardwood forests, chaparral, grassland, and riparian systems in California.  She has published over 50 journal articles and book chapters on restoring damaged ecosystems and is on the editorial board of the journal Restoration Ecology.  She teaches the Restoration Ecology class at UCSC and supervises many of the undergraduate students who work on the UCSC Natural Reserves.  She regularly advises numerous public and private agencies along the Central California Coast on land management issues.  She recently was selected as an Aldo Leopold Leadership Fellow.  Dr. Holl's expertise in restoration ecology, experimental design and data analysis, as well as her affiliation with UCSC and her excellent rapport with University students and staff make her an irreplaceable member of the Scientific Advisory Committee.

     Dr. Holl received a Ph.D. in Biology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and a Bachelors degree in Biology from Stanford University.

     

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    Tim Hyland - Environmental Scientist, State Parks, Santa Cruz District

    Mr. Hyland has worked in the field of wildlands restoration for over 15 years.  Much of his work has focused on coastal scrub, dune, and wetland restoration at sites throughout the Central Coast, including Wilder Ranch State Park (located approximately one mile west of YLR).  He has extensive experience in restoration planning and implementation, vegetation mapping, exotic species control, and native plant propagation.  In addition, Mr. Hyland is highly skilled in public education and outreach.  His long tenure with California State Parks and direct experience in designing and implementing large-scale restoration projects make him a valuable member of the Scientific Advisory Committee.

    Mr. Hyland has a B.A. from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

  • Profile photo of Dr. Lisa Stratton

    Dr. Lisa Stratton - Director of Ecosystem Management, Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration, University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)

    Dr. Lisa Stratton has worked in the field of science-based restoration for over 15 years.  She has extensive experience in restoration planning and implementation in conjunction with campus construction projects.  Much of her work at UCSB has focused on involving students and faculty in the Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration (CCBER) restoration projects.  Dr. Stratton's work at the UCSB has provided her with a rare understanding of some of the unique challenges and opportunities YLR staff face as they undertake the restoration project at YLR.  Her combined experience in wildlands restoration and management, scientific research, and working within the University of California system make her a very important member of the Scientific Advisory Committee.

    Dr. Stratton received a Ph.D. in Botany and Ecology from the University of Hawai'i, a M.S. in Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Bachelors degree in Comparative Literature from Stanford University

  • Portrait of Bryan Largay.

    Bryan Largay – Conservation Director, Land Trust of Santa Cruz County

    Mr. Largay has worked in the fields of hydrology, water quality, and wetlands for fourteen years with a focus on restoration and wildlife habitat.  He has conducted wetland restoration, watershed hydrology, and water quality investigations and designed measures to control erosion and treat water quality problems using vegetation.  Much of his work has focused on collaborative water quality protection projects with agricultural landowners and growers.  He has worked to solve water resource problems with a broad array of individuals, including scientists, planners, engineers, growers, private landowners, and contractors.  Prior to joining the staff of The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, he worked as the Tidal Wetland Project Director at Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (ESSNER) and participated in the Tidal Wetland Project as a member of the Science Panel and Model Advisory Team.  Mr. Largay's experience working on complex, large-scale restoration projects with agricultural neighbors in a non-profit setting make him a very important addition to the Scientific Advisory Committee.

    Mr. Largay received an M.S. in Hydrologic Sciences at U.C. Davis, and a Bachelor's degree at Princeton University.