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Yana S Valachovic

Forest Advisor and Humboldt - Del Norte County Director
Humboldt County Office
5630 South Broadway
Eureka, CA 95503-6998
(707) 445-7351
yvala@ucanr.edu Create VCard

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Del Norte County Office

Biography

Yana Valachovic is the County Director – Forest Advisor for the University of California Cooperative Extension in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. She is a registered professional forester and forest scientist whose skills and interests cover a broad set of natural resource fields. She is currently the co-lead of the Northern California region of the California Fire Science Consortium and is a founding steering committee member of the Northern California Prescribed Fire Council. She is best known for her work in wildfire mitigation and resilience, however, her research has also covered the ecology of conifer and oak ecosystems, management of forest pathogens, the effects of forest management on redwood lumber durability, the water demands of forest densification, impacts of code changes on wildfire building performance, and the sociological aspects of cannabis production.

Education

MS Forest Science, Oregon State University. 1998

Specialty

Forest management and ecology, oak woodlands, wildfire preparation, home hardening

Areas of Expertise (click to see all ANR academics with this expertise)

Bibliography

Peer Reviewed

  • Knapp, E. E., Valachovic, Y. S., Quarles, S. L., & Johnson, N. G. 2021. Housing arrangement and vegetation factors associated with single-family home survival in the 2018 Camp Fire, California. Fire Ecology, 17(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42408-021-00117-0

  • Valachovic, Y., Quarles, S. L., & Swain, S. V. 2021. Reducing the Vulnerability of Buildings to Wildfire: Vegetation and Landscaping Guidance. UC ANR Publication #8695. https://doi.org/10.3733/ucanr.8695 

  • Garbelotto, M., F. Dovana, D. Schmidt, C.Chee, C. Lee, V. Fieland, N. J. Grünwald, and Y. Valachovic. 2021. First reports of Phytophthora ramorum clonal lineages NA1 and EU1 causing Sudden Oak Death on tanoaks in Del Norte County, California. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-12-20-2633-PDN  

  • Valachovic, Y., Quinn-Davidson L., Stackhouse J., Butsic V. 2019. Perceptions of cannabis among Humboldt County timberland and ranchland owners. California Agriculture 73(3):161-168. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.2019a0010.

  • Schriver, M., R. L. Sherriff, J. M. Varner, L. Quinn-Davidson, and Y. Valachovic. 2018. Age and stand structure of oak woodlands along a gradient of conifer encroachment in northwestern California. Ecosphere 9(10):e02446.10.1002/ecs2.2446.

  • Valachovic, Y. 2018. Plants and forests under a changing climate. In Grantham, Theodore (University of California, Berkeley). 2018. North Coast Summary Report. California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment. Publication number: SUM-CCC4A-2018-001. http://www.climateassessment.ca.gov/regions/docs/20180827-NorthCoast.pdf

  • Valachovic, Y., R. Cobb, B. Twieg, B. 2017. Conditions 10 years after sudden oak death suppression treatments in Humboldt County, California. In: Frankel, Susan J.; Harrell, Katharine M., tech. coords. Proceedings of the sudden oak death sixth science symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. GTR-PSW-255. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station: 15-18

  • Twieg, B., R. Cobb, D. Stark and Y. Valachovic. 2017. Reducing Co2 emissions by managing for sudden oak death, is it possible? In: Frankel, Susan J.; Harrell, Katharine M., tech. coords. Proceedings of the sudden oak death sixth science symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. GTR-PSW-255. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station: 19-22.

  • Valachovic, Y, Twieg, B., Lee, C., Cobb, R. and Stark, D. 2017. Forest stand conditions after Phytophthora ramorum management in northern California: post-treatment observations inform future responses. Forest Phytophthoras 7(1):54-66. doi:10.5399/osu/fp.7.1.4018

  • Valachovic, Y., R. Cobb, and B. Twieg. 2017. How well has the spread of sudden oak death been predicted by the models in northern California. In: Frankel, Susan J.; Harrell, Katharine M., tech. coords. Proceedings of the sudden oak death sixth science symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. GTR-PSW-255. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station: 11-12.

  • Standiford, R. and Y. Valachovic, tech. cords. 2017. Coast redwood science symposium—2016: Past successes and future direction. Proceedings of a conference. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-258. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. 446 p

  • Y. Valachovic and R. Standiford. 2017. Changes in the redwood region from 1996-2016. In Standiford, R. and Y. Valachovic, tech. cords. 2017. Coast redwood science symposium—2016: Past successes and future direction. Proceedings of a conference. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-258. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station: 3-8

  • Lee, C., Y. Valachovic, D. Stark. 2017. The political ecology of forest health in the redwood region. In Standiford, R. and Y. Valachovic, tech. cords. 2017. Coast redwood science symposium—2016: Past successes and future direction. Proceedings of a conference. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-258. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station: 333-341.

  • Eitzel, M.V., Kelly, M., Dronova, I., Valachovic, Y., Quinn-Davidson, L., Solera, J. and de Valpine, P. 2016. Challenges and opportunities in synthesizing historical geospatial data using statistical models. Ecological Informatics, 31, pp.100-111.

  • Valachovic, Y., L. Quinn-Davidson and R. Standiford. 2015. Can the California Forest Practice Rules adapt to address conifer encroachment? In Standiford, Richard B.; Purcell, Kathryn L., tech. cords. 2015. Proceedings of the seventh California oak symposium: managing oak woodlands in a dynamic world. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-251. Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. 579 p.

  • Valachovic, Y., Rizzo, D., & Twieg, B. 2013. The current state of knowledge on operational sanitation measures to lower risk of Phytophthora ramorum spread and the need for further study. In Frankel, S.J.; Kliejunas, J.T.; Palmieri, K.M.; Alexander, J.M. tech. coords. 2013. Proceedings of the Sudden Oak Death Fifth Science Symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-243. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. 169 p.

  • Valachovic, Y., Quinn-Davidson, L., Lee, C., Goldsworthy, E., Cannon, P. 2013. Novel Approaches to SOD Management in California Wildlands: A Case Study of "Eradication" and Collaboration in Redwood Valley. In Frankel, S.J.; Kliejunas, J.T.; Palmieri, K.M.; Alexander, J.M. tech. coords. 2013. Proceedings of the Sudden Oak Death Fifth Science Symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-243. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. 169 p.

  • Valachovic, Y., Lee, C., Twieg, B., Rizzo, D., Cobb, R., & Glebocki, R. 2013. Suppression of Phytophthora ramorum Infestations Through Silvicultural Treatment in California's North Coast. In Frankel, S.J.; Kliejunas, J.T.; Palmieri, K.M.; Alexander, J.M. tech. coords. 2013. Proceedings of the Sudden Oak Death Fifth Science Symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-243. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. 169 p

  • Cobb, R. C., D. Rizzo, K. Hayden, M. Garbelotto, J. Filipe, C. Gilligan, W. Dillon, R. Meentemeyer, Y. Valachovic, E. Goheen, T. Swickie, E. Hansen, and S. Frankel. (2013). Biodiversity conservation in the face of dramatic forest disease: an integrated conservation strategy for tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus) threatened by sudden oak death. Madroño, 60(2), 151-164.

  • Ferranto, S., L. Huntsinger, C. Getz, G. Nakamura, W. Stewart, S. Drill, Y. Valachovic, M. DeLasaux and M. Kelly. 2012. Forest and rangeland owners value land for natural amenities and as a financial investment. California Agriculture, 65 (4), 184-191.

  • Filipe JAN, Cobb RC, Meentemeyer RK, Lee CA, Valachovic YS, Cook A, Rizzo D, Gilligan C. 2012. Landscape Epidemiology and Control of Pathogens with Cryptic and Long-Distance Dispersal: Sudden Oak Death in Northern Californian Forests. PLoS Computational Biology 8(1): e1002328. doi:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1002328 

  • Lee, C., J. Alexander, S. Frankel and Y. Valachovic. 2012. Evolution of an Invasive Species Research Program and Implications for Large-scale Management of a Non-native, Invasive Plant Pathogen. Environmental and Natural Resources Research, 2 (2), 99-111. Doi:10.5539/enrr.v2n2p99.

  • Quarles, S. and Y. Valachovic. 2012. Using Wood Quality Measures to Evaluate Second-Growth Redwood. In Standiford, R. et al, technical coordinators 2012.   Proceedings of Coast Redwood Forests in a Changing California: A Symposium for Scientists and Managers (pages 553-559). General Technical Report. PSW-GTR-238. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service. US Department of Agriculture.

  • Valachovic, Y.S., Lee, C.A., Scanlon, H., Varner, J.M., Glebocki, R., Graham, B.D., and Rizzo, D.M. 2011. Sudden oak death-caused changes to surface fuel loading and potential fire behavior in Douglas-fir-tanoak forests. Forest Ecology and Management 261 (11): 1973-1986.

  • Lee, C., Valachovic, Y., Garbelotto, M. 2010. Protecting trees from sudden oak death before infection. Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California. Berkeley. CA. Publication # 8426

  • Quarles, S., Y. Valachovic, G. Nakamura, G. Nadar, M. De Lasaux. 2010. Building Materials and Design for Home Survival in Wildfire Prone Areas. Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California. Berkeley. CA. Publication # 8393.

  • Valachovic, Y. C. Lee, J. Marshall, and H. Scanlon. 2008. Wildland management of Phytophthora ramorum in northern California forests. Pages 305-312. In Frankel, S., J. Kliejunas, K. Palmieri, technical coordinators. 2008. Proceedings of the sudden oak death third science symposium. General Technical Report PSW-GTR-214. Albany, CA. 491 pages.

  • Harris, R, G. Nakamura, and Y. Valachovic (editors). 2007. Forest Stewardship Series- Complete Series (#8323). Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California. Berkeley. CA.

  • Harris, R, G. Nakamura, and Y. Valachovic. 2007. Forest Stewardship Series 1. Introduction to Forest Stewardship and Glossary of Terms (#8231). Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California. Berkeley. CA

  • LeBlanc, J., Y. Valachovic, H. Morrison. 2007. Forest Stewardship Series 24- Professional Assistance (#8254). Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California. Berkeley. CA.

  • Litman, L., Y. Valachovic. 2007. Forest Stewardship Series 18- Stewardship Objectives and Planning (#8248). Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California. Berkeley. CA

  • Morrison, H., Y. Valachovic, Nunamaker, C., 2007. Forest Stewardship Series 19- Laws and Regulations Affecting Forests Part 1: Timber Harvesting (#8249). Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California. Berkeley, CA.

  • Nadar, G., G. Nakamura, M. De Lasaux, S. Quarles, and Y. Valachovic. 2007. Home Landscaping for Fire. (#8228) Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California. Berkeley. CA.

  • Nunamaker, C., Y. Valachovic. 2007. Forest Stewardship Series 6- Forest Vegetation Management (#8236). Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California. Berkeley. CA.

  • Nunamaker, C., Y. Valachovic. 2007. Forest Stewardship Series 7- Forest Regeneration (#8237). Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California. Berkeley. CA.

  • Standiford, R.; Giusti, G.; Valachovic, Y; Zielinski, W.J., Furniss, M.., technical editors. 2007. Proceedings of the redwood region forest science symposium: What does the future hold? Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-194. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; 553 p.

  • Valachovic, Y. 2007. Forest Stewardship Series 23- Technical and Financial Assistance (#8253). Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California. Berkeley, Ca.

  • Parke, J., J. Bienapfl, E. Oh, D. Rizzo, E. Hansen, G. Buckles, C. Lee, Y. Valachovic. 2006. Natural infection of tanoak seedlings roots by Phytophthora ramorum. Phytopathology 96:S90.

  • Scanlon, H. and Valachovic, Y. 2006. Predicting Post-Fire Severity Effects in Coast Redwood Forests Using FARSITE. In: Andrews, Patricia L.; Butler, Bret W., comps. 2006. Fuels Management-How to Measure Success: Conference Proceedings. 28-30 March 2006; Portland, OR. Proceedings RMRS-P-41. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 587-591.

  • Larsen, R., D. Lewis and Y. Valachovic. 2005. Watershed Management in Oak Woodlands. Chapter 4 (in) Giusti, G. A., R. Standiford and D. McCreary (eds). A Planner's Guide to Oak Woodlands 2nd edition. Integrated Hardwood Range Management Program publication # 3491. University of California Cooperative Extension. Berkeley, Ca.

  • Valachovic, Y., B. Caldwell, K. Cromack, R. P. Griffiths. 2004. Leaf Litter Chemistry Controls on the Decomposition of Pacific Northwest Trees and Woody Shrubs. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 34: 2131-2147.

  • Smith, J. E., R. Molina, D. Luoma, M. Huso, D. McKay, M.A. Castellano, T. Lebel, Y. Valachovic. 2002. Species richness, abundance, and composition of hypogeous and epigeous ectocmycorrhizal fungal sporocarps in young, rotation-age and old-growth stands of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsusga menziesii) in the Cascade Range of Oregon, USA. Canadian Journal of Botany 80, 186-204.

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