Grey Hayes

Since 1989, Dr. Grey Hayes has focused on agroecology and natural systems ecology of California’s central coast. His project experience includes work with the Ohlone tiger beetle (Cicindela ohlone) and red-legged frog (Rana draytonii), as well as restoration and management of coastal prairie, coastal scrub, riparian, and maritime chaparral ecosystems. He has co-authored numerous management plans for protected natural areas and published work in numerous scientific and popular journals. His research experience includes work with restoration ecology in coastal prairie and arid riparian systems. Dr. Hayes is currently education and research coordinator at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo's field station, Swanton Pacific Ranch. This field station researches and educates about working lands' roles in co-managing production with conservation, focusing on redwood forestry as well as livestock and crops production in a super biodiverse watershed including endangered fish and endemic species. Before this, Grey directed the Coastal Training Program at Elkhorn Slough, focusing on bridging the gaps between regulators, land managers, and researchers by creating educational programs that foster dialogue, help build community, and increase ecological understanding. His work with that program resulted in increased protection for maritime chaparral, freshwater wetlands, and coastal prairie throughout the central coast of California as well as improved recreation management in protected natural areas in coastal California, and independent scientific review of environmental decision making in a number of regulatory branches of government. In other parts of his life, Grey manages organic orchards at Molino Creek Farm and advises conservation organizations on strategies to assure species conservation over deep time.