Cathy Koehler has been with the UC Davis Natural Reserve System since 2002, first as co-Director and currently as Director of the McLaughlin Natural Reserve. Prior to this, she has used field stations in western North America and internationally on an annual basis since 1985, both for classes and research projects, including several University of California Natural Reserves. She studied and taught Zoology and Ecology, holds an M.Sc. in Behavioral Ecology, and has diversified into plant ecology. She also has participated in numerous K-12 Science Education programs and hosts several annual public outreach events at the McLaughlin Reserve.