Central Coastal Wetlands Group – Moss Landing Marine Laboratories

SJSU/MLML Central Coast Wetlands Group researchers meet with State Senator John Laird

October 19, 2021October 19, 2021Lauren Cooley

Yesterday, researchers from the SJSU/MLML Central Coast Wetlands Group organized a field trip with California State Senator John Laird to discuss their innovative new watershed restoration project.

The project, titled “Castroville to the Coast”, is a collaborative effort between resource managers, local farmers, and community members. It aims to increase climate resilience, decrease local flooding, and improve water quality and wetland habitat while equally meeting the needs of the Castroville community, the participating farmers, and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Partners agree that the Castroville to the Coast project can be a model for restoring the numerous watershed functions within the Salinas Valley we all rely on.

Read more about this important project in the official press release.

Dr. Holly Bowers featured on SJSU Research Foundation Annual Report cover

July 9, 2021Lauren Cooley

Farm-derived nutrient runoff is a global problem that threatens marine ecosystems. Here in Monterey Bay, researchers from the SJSU/MLML Central Coast Wetlands Group and Environmental Biotechnology Lab are working hard to develop innovative new solutions to this longstanding issue.

This important work was recently highlighted in the San José State University Research Foundation 2021 Annual Report. MLML scientist Dr. Holly Bowers was even featured on the report cover! The photo shows Dr. Bowers using a handheld qPCR instrument to detect DNA from target harmful algal bloom (HAB) species. Read the full story on page 16 of the report.

EPA awards nearly $1 million in grant funds to SJSU/MLML researchers studying harmful algal blooms

September 17, 2020October 14, 2020Lauren Cooley

We are excited to announce that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a nearly $1 million grant to San Jose State University and Moss Landing Marine Laboratories to address the environmental challenges posed by harmful algal blooms (HABs).

SJSU/MLML research faculty member Dr. Holly Bowers and Central Coast Wetlands Group (CCWG) researchers Ross Clark and Kevin O’Connor will use the funds to research how to prevent and control HABs using runoff treatment systems to reduce nutrient discharges from farms. This grant is part of $6,487,188 million awarded to seven institutions across the country. "We are excited to participate in this new research to measure the connections between agricultural runoff and harmful algal blooms, and to identify sustainable agricultural practices that will lead to better ocean conditions,” says SJSU College of Science Dean Michael Kaufman.

Read more here about this new research project in the EPA press release.