 Catherine Scarr, Owner
Ms. Scarr has a diverse background in education. She administers PlanTierra’s business. Languages: English, French, Spanish. Education: B.A. in Linguistics (University of California, Davis) and M.S. in Instructional Research & Design (Purdue University).
 John Dickey, Owner; Principal Soil Scientist & AgronomistDr. Dickey brings 30 years of experience in environmental science consulting in the western United States, as well as in agricultural research, extension, production, and consulting in California, Indiana, Burkina Faso, and China. Dr. Dickey provides soils, agronomic, irrigation and drainage, water quality, and regulatory analysis and advice to agricultural and non-agricultural land and water managers. His technical
proficiencies include assisting parties with planning and development of
functional air and water quality regulatory requirements and programs, stabilization
of large, arid land surfaces, modeling root zone processes (hydrologic, salt,
and nutrient balance; ecological relationships), reuse and land application of
solid and liquid wastes (municipal, animal, food processing, landfill leachate,
fertilizer production), bio/phytoremediation of contaminated soils, land and watershed
management, non-point source pollution control, water quality evaluation,
cropping systems analysis, irrigated and rainfed agriculture, on-farm, as well
as district- and basin-level salt and trace element management, irrigation,
drainage, reclamation, return flow management, trace element mobility and
bioaccumulation, rice production, soil ecology, soil
stabilization/conservation/reclamation, water conservation, and site
evaluation. He has also provided formal and on-the-job training in crop production,
cropping systems, and research planning, research data management, and
statistical analysis. Dr. Dickey is fluent in English and French, and also
speaks Mooré, the language of the Mossi of Burkina Faso. Dr. Dickey's resume is available here.
Education: B.S. in International Agricultural Development, M.S. in Agronomy (both University of California, Davis), and Ph.D. in Soil Science (Purdue University).
Registrations: Certified Professional Soil Scientist – American Registry of Certified Professionals in Agronomy, Crops and Soils (#03223).  Jim Richards, Specialist in Plant Ecophysiology, Plant Stress Physiology,
and Desert Ecosystem Dynamics Dr. Richards has conducted basic and applied research on the interaction of plant root systems and vadose zone hydrology in desert, semi-arid, and riparian systems since 1987, and on research supporting vegetation applications to dust control at Owens Lake since 1991. This work established the plant physiological basis for limits of tolerance of salinity, boron toxicity, water stress, seed production and dispersal, seedling growth and establishment, and nutritional limits to plant growth in the Owens Basin and other desert environments. Among his more than 120 peer-reviewed publications, thirty-nine demonstrate and quantify the multiple limitations to growth of saltgrass and desert shrubs in the Owens and Mono Basins. In addition to research activities, Dr. Richards serves as a Professor of Plant Nutritional Ecology at University of California Davis, where since 1990 he has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in plant nutrition, plant stress physiology, plant ecophysiology, and plant-soil interactions. At Utah State University, from 1981-1990, Dr. Richards conducted research in Great Basin and Chihuahuan Deserts and taught classes in plant stress physiology and worldwide savanna ecosystems. Dr. Richard's resume is available here.  Andrea Schmid, Specialist in Environmental Planning and Compliance
Ms. Schmid brings more than ten years of experience in regulatory support and negotiation, concise environmental analysis and documentation (pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and the California Environmental Quality Act), environmental permitting (including local, state, and federal agencies), and water resources planning. She works closely with clients, regulators, and team members to develop practical and cost-effective solutions to a variety of natural resource issues. Her expertise also includes clear, concise documentation and effective translation of complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences, including stakeholder outreach, public outreach, and political briefings. As a Soil Conservationist, Ms. Schmid also provided technical assistance to landowners with the development and implementation of conservation practices and programs. Ms. Schmid's resume is available here. Education: B.S. in Horticulture and M.S. in Natural Resource Ecology and Management (both Iowa State University).
 Ms. Snow has specialized in technical documentation and database management in industrial consulting, semiconductor manufacturing, and educational settings. She has also worked as a grower/producer of medicinal herbs, in farmers’ market sales for several local farms, and as a science educator. (Her Gaelic name is more familiar to many in its English form: Shannon.) Education: B.A. in Chemistry (University of California, Santa Cruz), Technical Communication Certificate (San Jose State University Extension), and M.S. in Horticulture (University of California, Davis)
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