Joanna Solins came to UC Cooperative Extension after a decade studying urban ecosystems with Dr. Mary Cadenasso at UC Davis. Joanna’s graduate research at UC Davis combined field studies and geographic information system (GIS) analysis to investigate plant communities, tree canopy, and soils along urban creeks in the Sacramento area. She also carried out postdoctoral research on green stormwater infrastructure, urban forest composition, and the water demand of urban vegetation across California, and contributed to projects examining residential landscaping and urban heat in Sacramento. Originally from the East Coast, Joanna began her career leading outreach education programs for the New England Aquarium and writing for educational publishers. Joanna enjoys exploring the great outdoors, from urban neighborhoods to wilderness areas and everything in between.