Who We Are

The mission of The Center for Ecosystem Management and Restoration [CEMAR] is to make effective use of scientific information to promote the restoration and sustainable management of ecosystems. CEMAR is a tax-exempt scientific organization pursuant to 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

CEMAR Staff:

Andrew J. Gunther, Ph.D., Executive Director. Dr. Gunther received his Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley in 1987, and has worked at the intersection of environmental science and policy since 1979. He is facilitating the deliberations of a multi-stakeholder group working to restore steelhead to the Alameda Creek watershed, and is assisting the USEPA develop indicators of ecological condition for the San Francisco Estuary. Dr. Gunther previously served (1991-2001) as the Assistant Chief Scientist for the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Restoration Program, where he helped coordinate development of the restoration science program. Dr. Gunther was also the original manager (1993-1997) of the Regional Monitoring Program for Toxic Contaminants in the San Francisco Estuary, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Gordon S. Becker, M.S., Senior Fisheries Scientist. Mr. Becker has worked with natural resources management issues for 15 years. His recent projects focus on various aspects of steelhead trout restoration including natural history and barrier mitigation. He received his M.S. in Water Resources Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and is a Certified Fisheries Professional by the American Fisheries Society and a member of the Board of Directors of the Toulumne River Trust.

Matthew J. Deitch, Ph.D., Senior Environmental Scientist. Dr. Deitch has participated in hydrolgy, geomorphology, and stream ecology projects in California since 2001, including sediment TMDL, FERC relicensing, and environmental flow studies. His recent projects involve conducting hydrologic studies and using GIS to develop and test policy scenarios related to aquatic ecosystem conservation. He received his Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley.

David Asbury, GIS Analyst/Cartographer. Mr. Asbury holds a BS in Geography from the University of Maryand, where he specialized in computer cartography and geographic information science. He has applied his skills to develop highly-acclaimed maps for CEMAR's publications, a number of which can be found on this site. He is a member of the Society for Conservation GIS and the North American Cartographic Information Society.

Katherine Smetak, Assistant Environmental Scientist. Ms. Smetak joined CEMAR after receiving her MS in Environmental Science from the University of Idaho, where she studied soil biology and biogeochemistry. She has worked on research projects examining the role of land management practices in carbon cycling in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and other wetlands of Northern California.

Krystal Wanzo, Administrative Assistant. Ms. Wanzo holds an undergradate degree in Business Administration from San Diego State University with an emphasis in accounting. She works with the Executive Director on all administrative duties at CEMAR, and has been very involved in developing and implementing the methods for creating digital archives of historic documents regarding salmonid observations in California's coastal streams.

email us -- questions "at" cemar "dot" org