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CENTRAL COAST
WETLANDS GROUP
at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
2015
Statement of Qualifications
About
MISSION
To coordinate the advancement of wetland science and management on the Central Coast
WHO WE ARE
The Central Coast Wetlands Group (CCWG) is a wetlands research and restoration group serving the
Central Coast of California. Housed at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, we work closely with regional
and state partners to expand the wetland science and policy dialogue between researchers, resource
managers, landowners and policy makers. Our efforts support local research, the development of tools
and programs to better manage wetland resources, and workshops that foster constructive problem
solving among diverse stakeholders. By collaborating with other research and resource management
organizations on wetland-related efforts, our collective knowledge and expertise can be leveraged to
improve the condition of local wetlands and management of the services they provide statewide.
ORGANIZATIONAL OBJECTIVES
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Advocate for additional state and federal resources to advance the science of wetland
restoration and management on the Central Coast.
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Support standard wetland monitoring and assessment techniques.
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Support the creation of a Central Coast wetland monitoring program.
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Provide a regional voice to state decision makers.
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Provide regional perspective in developing restoration objectives and policy.
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Build capacity for long term wetland management.
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Support stronger wetland conservation policies and reduce the threat from future land use
changes.
WHERE WE WORK
Though our habitat restoration and water quality coordination work is focused in California’s Central
Coast region, our wetland research efforts have expanded to the entire state. This statewide work takes
us to all corners of California to perform wetland assessments and develop new tools. We also provide
a regional voice to the development of a statewide wetland protection policy and monitoring programs.
Furthermore, our watershed assessment work has expanded to sites along the entire coast of California.
CONTACT
Central Coast Wetlands Group
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
8272 Moss Landing Rd
Moss Landing, CA 95039
(831) 771-4495
www.centralcoastwetands.org
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Statement of Qualifications | Central Coast Wetlands Group
Services
WETLAND ASSESSMENTS AND MONITORING
CCWG supports state efforts to evaluate the condition of wetland
resources using the California Rapid Assessment Method (CRAM), as
well as EMAP vegetation surveys, and water quality, algal, and benthic
infaunal sampling. These assessments are consistent with most state
monitoring strategies and help to quantify restoration success, and for
mitigation tracking and ambient assessments.
CRAM TRAININGS
For individuals or organizations that want to use CRAM
(The California Rapid Assessment Method) for their programs,
CCWG is the home of Central Coast CRAM trainings. Trainings
are offered every year, often in June and August
HABITAT RESTORATION
CCWG supports wetland, upland and coastal dune restoration efforts.
Our restoration staff is well trained and equipped to design, construct,
maintain and report success of restoration projects. We focus on native
plant restoration and weed suppression of coastal wetlands and
adjacent upland environments, aimed at enhancing both water quality
and habitat functions.
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WETLAND DELINEATIONS
CCWG assists property owners in determining the presence of
wetlands or jurisdictional waters of the United States. In order to
comply with the Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual
(1987) and Coastal Commission wetland delineation guidelines, we
look for indicators of hydric soils, plants, and/or wetland hydrology
to determine wetland presence.
WETLAND DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
CCWG works with landowners to design wetlands that serve
specific needs with a focus towards improved water quality
and/or habitat. We partner with engineers and hydrologists to
reach a preferred design for the system and CCWG selects the
appropriate plant palette to meet project goals.
1850
Present
HISTORICAL CHANGE ANALYSIS
Historical information provides a wealth of untapped
information to guide watershed management
decisions. By revealing how a watershed has changed
over time, historical data can help us understand the
underlying causes of contemporary conditions and help
identify new strategies for environmental
management. For coastal wetlands such as lagoons and
estuaries, CCWG has developed a method to evaluate
habitat changes using topographic maps from the 19th
Century and current conditions interpreted from field
surveys and aerial images.
WATERSHED ANALYSIS AND PLANNING
CCWG is forefront in using scientifically proven methods including
wetland site assessments, GIS based watershed scale assessments,
and historical ecology in combination with statistical analyses and
collaboration with regional partners, to prioritize and guide
management, restoration and conservation of wetland resources.
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Statement of Qualifications | Central Coast Wetlands Group
CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION PLANNING
CCWG staff has assisted local and regional partners in the
development of climate mitigation and adaptation plans for the
Central Coast. CCWG aims to ensure that all coastal resources are
considered (i.e. wetlands, dunes, trails) when agencies identify the
infrastructure, properties and resources that are vulnerable to sea
level rise and to work collaboratively to ensure that aquatic
resource protection is incorporated into future adaptation plans.
EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH
CCWG staff has lead education and outreach for numerous
regional collaborative efforts and organizations. We strive to
integrate community ideas and priorities into local and regional
planning efforts. We also offer graphic design services to help
communicate conservation goals to a wide variety of audiences.
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Relevant Projects
In order to implement programs and projects that support our mission, CCWG is involved in a wide
range of local and regional planning and research projects. The list below reflects a sample of past and
current efforts. Visit our website (www.centralcoastwelands.org) for more information, reports and
publications.
DEVELOPMENT OF A BAR-BUILT ESTUARY MONITORING AND
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TOOL FOR CALIFONRIA STATE PARKS
Field kayak (the Eleocharis) was used to collect data
during a bar-built estuary condition assessment
Bar-built estuaries (BBEs), or river mouth lagoons, are
unique coastal wetlands that form at the mouths of more
than half of California’s creeks and rivers and provide a
great diversity of habitat and ecosystem services. These
important coastal wetlands provide critical habitat for
many commercially important and endangered species.
With California’s population continuing to grow, often
centered on the coast, many of these habitats have
experienced significant human alterations. Future
alterations, increasing demand for freshwater, and
climate change and sea level rise further threaten BBEs
and the services they provide.
The diversity of ecological services and the effects of anthropogenic alteration on these systems are
poorly understood. Detailed studies using standardized methods are needed to properly manage the
long-term health and productivity of these coastal ecosystems. CCWG is partnering with California State
Parks (CSP), who manages nearly half of California’s BBEs, to improve the State’s capacity to assess and
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Statement of Qualifications | Central Coast Wetlands Group
manage BBEs in a cost-effective manner. This partnership will help to create a comprehensive georeferenced database of BBE resources managed by the State and evaluate the current condition of these
resources using standardized estuary water elevation, CRAM assessments and watershed stressor data.
This watershed approach will inform decision makers how watershed and/or local actions will increase
habitat function and coupled with historical analyses will provide a valuable prioritization framework to
direct management of wetlands by the State.
DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TOOLS TO ASSESS RIPARIAN EXTENT AND
CONDITION- A CENTRAL COAST PILOT STUDY
CCWG is developing new tools to assess riparian habitat extent
and condition. This pilot project will develop new tools to
implement the State’s Wetland and Riparian Area Monitoring
Plan (WRAMP) and enable resource managers to better manage
riparian and riverine resources, integrate multiple monitoring and
regulatory programs and stand as a model for rural and
agricultural regions of the state. This project supports the Central
Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board’s (RB3) specific need
to develop tools and capabilities that support their “Vision of
Healthy Watersheds.” The resulting products in development are:
1) a Central Coast WRAMP implementation document developed
San Lorenzo River in Felton, CA
by the Central Coast Riparian TAC, 2) an inventory of Central
Coast Riparian Resources, 3) a draft methods paper recommending a set of procedures for a “Remote
Riparian Assessment Method” for use with accessible and inaccessible riparian resources, and 4) a draft
GIS model that will enable the current Riparian Area Mapping Tool to reference and interpret riparian
cover from aerial imagery. A pilot run of the expanded capabilities will take place in the Morro Bay
watershed.
CONSERVATION ACTION TRACKER
Project locations map on Action Tracker
The Central Coast Action Tracker is an effort of the Greater
Monterey County Regional Water Management Group
including CCWG and the Central Coast Resource Conservation
Districts. The Action Tracker is an online tool to register and
report information on conservation projects (including water
quality improvements, habitat restoration and planning
efforts) across the region in order to improve stakeholders’
ability to evaluate collective effectiveness. The program aims
to provide detailed information on various conservation and
water quality related projects throughout the Central Coast.
CCWG and the Project Team have been gathering the content
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and expanding functional capacity of a tracking system to meet end user needs. The database structure
can accommodate a variety of project types from a wide range of organizations. The site is intended to
grow as more and more people realize its utility and add to the initial list of projects.
NATIONAL WETLAND CONDITION ASSESSMENT
CCWG staff collect algae samples for NWCA
CCWG assisted the USEPA in conducting the field data collection
for the National Wetland Condition Assessment (NWCA) in
California. The NWCA is one in a series of statistically-valid
National Aquatic Resource Surveys (NARS) conducted by the
USEPA to provide the public with a comprehensive assessment
of the condition of the Nation’s waters. In addition to wetlands,
the NARS also focuses on coastal waters, lakes, and flowing
waters in a revolving sequence. USEPA collaborated with state,
tribal, federal, and other partners to implement the NWCA to
meet three goals:
1. Produce a report that describes the ecological condition of the Nation’s wetlands.
2. Assist states and tribes in the implementation of wetland monitoring and assessment programs
that guide policy development and aid project decision-making.
3. Advance the science of wetlands monitoring and assessment to support management needs.
MOLERA ROAD TREATMENT WETLAND
The Molera Road Treatment Wetland was created in
collaboration with The Watershed Institute at CSUMB and the
Monterey County Water Resources Agency. This research wetland
was designed to be used as an experimental outdoor laboratory
to investigate the nutrient and pesticide removal capabilities of
wetlands. Several masters’ theses have been conducted at this
site through CSUMB. Construction of the sinuous channel that
created the upper wetland was completed in 2005 and planted
with native wetland and upland plants including bulrushes.
Research from graduate students at CSUMB has documented the
effectiveness of the wetland at cleaning non-point source
pollution. Pam Krone-Davis quantified diazinon, methomyl and
acephate pesticide reductions of 30%, while Gwen Miller found
Schematic of Molera Rd. Treatment Wetland
that nitrate concentrations were reduced from 21.6 mg/l to 13.9
mg/l through the sinuous upper half of the wetland and were often decreased to zero by the time water
exited the lower wetland.
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Statement of Qualifications | Central Coast Wetlands Group
SANTA RITA CREEK RESTORATION
This urban creek restoration project uses a holistic
approach to improving water quality conditions in a
watershed with serious water quality problems originating
from upstream agricultural practices and urban
development. The Coastal Conservancy provided
Integrated Watershed Restoration Program (IWRP) funds
to develop restoration plans and obtain permits to restore
Santa Rita Creek adjacent to Ferrasci Little League field in
Salinas, CA. This project is led by the Monterey Bay
National Marine Sanctuary in partnership with CCWG and
Earth moving during Santa Rita Creek restoration
the Monterey County Resource Conservation District. An
Integrated Regional Water Management grant (IRWMP) provided funding to implement the on‐the‐
ground restoration including widening of the channel to slow flows and catch sediment. Native plants
including sedges, grasses, and lupines will be planted to reduce erosion, improve aquatic habitat and
establish a natural creek setting within a dense urban landscape. In addition, the Sanctuary will be
working with the community to analyze water quality and the RCD will work to reduce upstream inputs
of agriculture drainage and sediment.
CASTROVILLE COMMUNITY OUTREACH
The Castroville community, located in North Monterey
County, is surrounded by a network of freshwater sloughs.
These wetlands receive drainage from a large agricultural
watershed that ultimately flows to Monterey Bay. The
Elkhorn and Moro Cojo Sloughs are located to the north of
Castroville. Smaller sloughs adjacent to Castroville have
been channelized to accommodate agricultural runoff.
These include the Tembladero Slough and the Castroville
Slough, both of which are extremely degraded with limited
Castroville community members give input on the
habitat values and high levels of contaminants. Castroville
types of projects they would like to see in their town
also lacks sufficient park land, recreational space (such as
soccer fields), and public access to natural areas. The location of the community in relation to its sloughs
offers an excellent opportunity to undertake enhancement activities in conjunction with the new
development and redevelopment projects described in the Community Plan. Prescribed improvements
will increase habitat value as well as create an integrated flood protection system that includes drainage
and water quality improvements, open space and recreation facilities, and valued natural features for
the community. CCWG and partners have been hosting a series of meetings with the community to
focus future restoration efforts and direct future funding towards community enhancements most
desired by residents.
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COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS TO ASSESS SLR IMPACTS AND EVALUATE
POLICY OPTIONS FOR THE MONTEREY BAY COAST
2 ft SLR flooding projection around Moss
Landing, CA (NOAA SLR viewer)
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This sea level rise (SLR) analysis effort aims to provide Santa Cruz
and Monterey Counties with improved information regarding the
threats from climate change on various coastal resources and
land uses of the Monterey Bay. The project will evaluate coastal
infrastructure’s capacity to protect municipal service district
infrastructure, private properties, the coastal access and coastal
ecosystems. This project will further regional planning for the
inevitable impacts associated with SLR and the confounding
effects of SLR on fluvial processes of two river systems. Tasks
include:
Identify what critical coastal infrastructure will be compromised due to SLR and estimate when
those risks may occur.
Identify how fluvial processes will increase flooding risk to coastal communities in the face of rising
seas.
Define appropriate response strategies for these risks and discuss with regional partners the
programmatic and policy options that can be adopted to address these risks to the region.
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Key Personnel
ROSS CLARK, Program Director
Education:
M.S. Marine Sciences; Ecology, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, 1996.
B.A. Aquatic Biology, UC Santa Barbara, 1990.
Summary and Expertise:
Ross is an ecologist with 22 years of experience developing environmental programs for coastal
communities including: wetlands restoration and ecology, water quality monitoring, nutrient
load reductions through wetland restoration, integration of environmental objectives with
agricultural business goals, coastal planning, and identifying climate change mitigation
opportunities and potential impacts from sea level rise. He also participates on numerous
regional environmental commissions and committees and authors a monthly environmental
article for the local newspaper.
KEVIN O’CONNOR, Program Manager and Wetland Scientist
Education:
M.S. Biology, San Diego State University, 2007
B.S. Biology and Environmental Studies, UC Santa Cruz, 2004
Summary and Expertise:
Kevin O’Connor is an ecologist specializing in wetland restoration, monitoring and assessment,
and is the Project Manager for CCWG. Kevin is involved with wetland and upland restoration in
the Moro Cojo Slough, the development of a rapid assessment method (CRAM) for multiple
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wetland types in California, and participation with the California Wetlands Monitoring
Workgroup. He also serves as one of the central coast liaisons for the Level 2 Committee of the
CWMW.
CARA CLARK, Senior Wetland Scientist
Education:
M.S. Coastal and Watershed Science and Policy, CSU Monterey Bay, 2008
B.S. Earth Science with a focus in Environmental Geology, UC Santa Cruz, 2002
Summary and Expertise
Cara Clark is a wetland scientist specializing in monitoring and restoration of wetland systems.
She has worked at Moss Landing Marine Labs since 2003 restoring wetlands and dunes and
developing a wetland rapid assessment method (CRAM). She has expertise in botany and
designing plant palettes for restoration projects. She was the lead for California's participation in
the 2011 National Wetland Condition Assessment. Current research using CRAM includes the
development and validation of modules for wet meadows, depressional wetlands, vernal pools,
bar-built estuaries, and arid streams.
SARAH STONER-DUNCAN, Project Associate
Education
M.S. Environmental Studies; Conservation Education, Antioch University New England, 2010
B.A. Environmental Studies, UC Santa Cruz, 2004
Summary and Expertise
Sarah began working for CCWG in 2011 and has been involved in numerous projects and
programs, including helping to lead CCWG’s regional climate change adaptation planning efforts,
managing the Santa Rita Creek Restoration Project, leading local outreach and education efforts,
conducting local and state-wide wetland assessments, and helping to develop the bar-built
estuarine CRAM module. She is a CRAM practitioner and journeyman trainer. Sarah also
produces CCWG’s communication and graphic materials and assists in grant writing.
JASMINE RUVALCABA, Restoration Manager
Education
M.S. Marine Science, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, 2014
B.S. Marine and Coastal Ecology, CSU Monterey Bay 2007
Summary and Expertise
Since 2008, Jasmine has been organizing, implementing, and managing local restoration projects
around the Moro Cojo watershed. As greenhouse manager she collects, propagates, and
supervises all growing activities of local native plants for projects. As habitat manager of local
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restoration projects, she applies adaptive weed management practices and monitors habitats
through vegetation surveys. Jasmine is CRAM trained and has experience in water quality
testing. She is very interested in the mitigation of agricultural runoff through wetland systems.
KIM NULL, Postdoctoral Researcher
Education
Ph.D. Marine Chemistry; North Carolina State University, 2010
M.S. Geology; Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 2005
B.S. Environmental Science and Public Health; IUPUI, 2000
Summary and Expertise
Kim is a marine chemist whose research focuses on groundwater discharge, nutrient pollution
and eutrophication in coastal environments. Kim started working at Moss Landing Marine Labs
and CCWG in 2014. She has been involved in numerous research projects investigating the role
of groundwater in delivering nutrients to estuarine ecosystems, nutrient cycling and budgets in
sediments and surface waters, and anthropogenic impacts on nutrient loading.
CHARLIE ENDRIS, Senior GIS Specialist
Education
M.S. Marine Sciences; Geological Oceanography, Moss Landing Marine Labs, 2009
B.A. Geology, Hamilton College, 1998
Summary and Expertise
Charlie has a background in geology and geomorphology and specializes in geospatial analyses
of marine and terrestrial environments. His research has involved the use of a terrestrial laser
scanner (TLS) to identify and measure fine-scale changes of tidal creek banks and mudflats in
Elkhorn Slough. Charlie serves as the GIS Specialist with the Elkhorn Slough Foundation and as
lead project manager at the Center for Habitat Studies in Moss Landing. He began work with
CCWG in 2011 and is currently working on mapping wetland habitats as part of the California
Aquatic Resources Status and Trends Monitoring program.
JASON ADELAARS, GIS Specialist
Education
M.S. Coastal & Watershed Science and Policy, CSU Monterey Bay, 2012
B.A. Environmental Science with a focus on soil and water chemistry, UC Riverside, 2005
Summary and Expertise
Jason has a broad skillset in marine and terrestrial environmental monitoring, GIS analysis, data
management, and computer programming. He spent the first 5 years of his post-undergraduate
career monitoring soil and groundwater contamination throughout California. He earned his
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graduate degree in an effort to diversify his science education into marine ecosystems. He has
been with Moss Landing Marine Labs since September 2013, performing a variety of tasks
including: program management, GIS analysis, and maintaining a network of seawater and
meteorological sensors.
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Reports & Publications
Heady, Clark, O'Connor, Clark, Endris, Ryan, Stoner-Duncan (in press) Assessing California's Bar-built
Estuaries Using the California Rapid Assessment Method
Heady, O’Connor, Kassakian, Doiron, Endris, Hudgens, Clark, Carter, and Gleason (2014) An Inventory
and Classification of U.S. West Coast Estuaries The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA. 81pp
Langridge, Hartge, Clark, Arkema, Verutes, Prahler, Stoner-Duncan, Caldwell, Guerry, Ruckelshaus,
Abeles, Coburn, & O’Connor (2014) Key lessons for incorporating natural infrastructure into regional
climate adaptation planning. Ocean and Coastal Management. Vol. 95, pp. 189-197.
Central Coast Wetlands Group. Verification of the Depressional CRAM Wetland Module (2013) Final
Report to SFEI-ASC and California Natural Resources Agency. Agreement No. 0CA10043.
Central Coast Wetlands Group. Using New Methodologies to Assess Bar-built Estuaries along California’s
Coastline (2013) Final Report to USEPA Region 9. Agreement No. CD-00T20101.
Central Coast Wetlands Group. Validation of the California Rapid Assessment Methodology for Bar-built
Estuaries (2013) Final Report to USEPA Region 9. Agreement No. CD-00T20101.
Central Coast Wetlands Group. Moro Cojo Slough Management and Enhancement Plan, Status Report
(2013) Final Report to USEPA Region 9. Agreement No. WS-00T03801.
Central Coast Wetlands Group. Greater Monterey Bay Integrated Regional Water Management Plan,
Climate Change Chapter (2013)
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Central Coast Wetlands Group. Standardization of the CRAM Update Process, Manuals and Training
Materials through the L2 Committee of the California Wetlands Monitoring Workgroup (2013) Final
Report to USEPA Region 9. Agreement No. CD-00T54301.
Solek, Sutula, Stein, Roberts, Clark, O'Connor, & Ritter (2012) Determining the Health of California's
Coastal Salt Marshes Using Rapid Assessment. Wetland Policy and Science, March, pp. 8-28.
Central Coast Wetlands Group. Assessment of State Funded Wetland Restoration Projects in Region 3
(2011) Final Report to SWRCB-NPS Program. Agreement No. 06-353-553-1.
Stein, Fetscher, Clark, Wiskind, Grenier, Sutula, Colins, & Grosso (2009) Validation of a wetland rapid
assessment method: use of EPA’s level 1-2-3 Framework for method testing and refinement. Wetlands.
Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 648-665.
Central Coast Wetlands Group. Support of the Central Coast Wetlands Group Program Objectives (2009)
Final Report to USEPA Region 9. Agreement No. CD-96997601.
Central Coast Wetlands Group. A Comparison of results between the California Monitoring and
Assessment Program (CMAP) and the California Rapid Assessment Method for wetlands (2009) Final
Report to SWRCB-NPS Program. Agreement No. 06-308-250-0.
Collins, Stein, Sutula, Clark, Fetscher, Grenier, Grosso, and Wiskind (2008) California Rapid Assessment
Method (CRAM) for Wetlands, v. 5.0.2. 157 pp.
Sutula, Stein, Collins, Fetscher & Clark (2006) A practical guide for the development of a wetland
assessment method: The California Experience. Journal of American Water Resources Association. Vol.
42, No. 1, pp.157-175.
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Partners/Collaborators
2nd Nature
Monterey County Water Resources Agency
Big Sur Land Trust
Morro Bay National Estuary Program
California Coastal Commission
Natural Capital Project
California Fish and Wildlife
North Monterey County School District
California State Parks
RCD of Monterey County
California State University, Monterey Bay
RCD of Santa Cruz County
Center for Ocean Solutions
Regional Water Quality Control Board, Region 3
Central Coast Watershed Studies
Return of the Natives
City of Salinas
Revell Coastal
City of Soledad
San Francisco Estuary Institute
Coastal Conservation and Research
Southern California Coastal Water Research Project
County of Monterey
State of California Coastal Conservancy
County of Santa Cruz
State Water Resources Control Board
Elkhorn Slough Foundation
The Nature Conservancy
Elkhorn Slough NERR
US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9
ESA PWA
Waterways Consulting
Grower-Shipper Association
Watsonville Wetlands Watch
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
UC Cooperative Extension
Natural Resource Conservation Service
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