DuneQuest Speaker Bios

Jim Blecha

Jim Blecha has worked as a biologist in San Luis Obispo Co., doing primarily salt water studies, since 1976. He has been fascinated by dune wildlife since witnessing the Fellini “Satyricon”-like atmosphere along the beach from Oso Flaco to Pismo pier during the 4th of July weekend in 1976.

Dave Innis

Dave Innis has been a professional biologist in San Luis Obispo Co. since 1987.

Wayne Vogler

Melissa Boggs-Blalack

Melissa Boggs has been an Environmental Scientist with the Department of Fish and Game for 14 years, is part of the oil spill response field team, and is the lead on a number of Trustee Councils in charge of restoration efforts following spills.

Judd Muskat

Judd Muskat is a Research Program Specialist (GIS) for OSPR. His primary responsibilities at OSPR include geographic information system (GIS) support for oil spill contingency planning, field deployment of GIS during emergency oil spill response, GIS support for natural resource damage assessment (NRDA) and GIS/GPS technology training. Mr. Muskat’s current research involves the use of remote sensing technology for oil slick detection.

Gillian Andrews

Gillian Andrews has been the Executive Director of the Dunes Center for four years. The Center is primarily engaged in the three activities of environmental education, research and the provision of interpretive services to 13,000 visitors a year.

Originally from England, she served in the British Army, worked for the US State Department and for the United Nations. She has subsequently served on humanitarian trips to Europe, Latin America and Asia and has just returned from Thailand where she participated in a tsunami relief project..

Chris Barr

Chris Barr has been working for the National Wildlife Refuge System for over 13 years managing coastal areas in Monterey and Santa Cruz County. Having worked on many high profile endangered species recovery efforts including the California condor and working in coastal dune ecosystems in Monterey and Santa Cruz, CA. he has seen first hand what can be accomplish by working together to enhance complex resource issues. Chris is proud that the refuge is co-located with the Dunes Center and the high profile of the National Wildlife Refuge is a benefit to the community in Guadalupe.