Yana Valachovic has been appointed as Interim Associate Director for Natural Ecosystems and Working Landscapes at the UC ANR Policy Institute. Valachovic began her career with UC Cooperative Extension in 2000 as a Forest Advisor and later became the UCCE Director for Humboldt and Del Norte Counties in 2009. She is also involved with the UC ANR Fire Network, focusing on community resiliency and built environment.
Valachovic brings experience in forestry, natural resources, wildfire mitigation, and over two decades of engagement with county government. She has worked closely with the California legislature and the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to support policy development related to natural resources and wildfire issues.
Her background as a scientist and registered professional forester includes work on wildfire mitigation, resilience, conifer and oak ecosystems ecology, forest pathogens management, redwood wood quality, forest densification, wildfire building performance, and sociological aspects of cannabis production.
Valachovic’s service includes roles with organizations such as the California Fire Science Consortium, California Wildfire Forest Resilience Task Force, Office of the Fire Marshal’s Wildfire Mitigation Committee, California Department of Insurance Public Wildfire Catastrophe Model workgroup, California Oak Mortality Task Force, Professional Foresters Examining Committee, as well as international activity with the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO). She has supported various government and community groups across Northern California.
Anne Megaro stated: “We are pleased to welcome Yana as she helps develop the Institute from concept to reality. Her experience working with policymakers on complex, high-profile issues and her ability to translate the latest science to real-world policy applications will be instrumental to our success.”
Valachovic will lead work on Natural Ecosystems and Working Landscapes at the Policy Institute alongside Karen Jetter (Agriculture and Food Systems) and JoLynn Miller (Thriving People and Communities).
For additional information about UC ANR Policy Institute’s mission to connect researchers with policymakers statewide and nationally, visit https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-anr-policy-institute.