As Monitoring Coordinator, Jennica oversees ORP’s monitoring and evaluation efforts to ensure that restoration projects successfully meet the goals of the 10 Tributaries Agreement. Her role involves planning and implementing monitoring programs and coordinating with staff, watermen, and state and federal partners to collect data on oyster population dynamics. She conducts data analysis to further explore trends and better understand how oyster populations are responding to external pressures.

Jennica moved here from California, where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Management from UC Davis and a Master’s degree in Biology from CSU Northridge. She has a diverse background in aquatic ecology, working in both marine and estuarine systems. She previously helped run a long-term monitoring program in the San Francisco Estuary and was a California Sea Grant Fellow with the Delta Stewardship Council. She has enjoyed taking her extensive experience in the San Francisco Bay to her new home bay in the Chesapeake.

Outside of work, you can find Jennica exploring the great outdoors with her small, senior dog tagging along in her backpack. She loves hiking, backpacking, canoeing, and SCUBA diving. When the weather isn’t nice enough to be outside, she likes to try out new baking recipes.