about Samantha MacDonald

Highly regarded as an ecologist and biologist, Samantha MacDonald, Ph.D., has extensive experience in plant identification, monitoring, surveying, and restoration of natural habitats. She has traveled more than ten years in her career, working in several states, including Oregon, Wisconsin, Southern and Northern California. Using a variety of sample techniques, including quadrat, transect, releve, and census approaches, Samantha shown great skill in mapping vulnerable and listed species, including the Marin Dwarf Flax, San Francisco Wallflower, Bigleaf Crownbeard, Dune Gilia, and Coast Rock Cress, over the course of her career.

In addition to plants, Samantha conducted surveys for breeding birds prior to the start of building or restoration work, and she also observed the reintroduction of Western Pond Turtles and the locally rare Three Spined Stickleback. She has also demonstrated leadership in habitat restoration initiatives by planning the removal of invasive plants and choosing native plants for revegetation with care.

Samantha specializes in habitats that include coastal regions, riparian zones, chaparral landscapes, coastal sage scrub environments, woods, dunes, deserts, and the Sierra Nevada. Samantha has developed her leadership abilities in environmental project management and crew coordination in addition to her field expertise. Samantha is also skilled at creating in-depth papers, such as assessments of jurisdictional delineation and biological technical reports.