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| Matt Stoecker ready to float his backpack and survey gear through a deep gorge pool while studying the wilds of Sespe Creek. |
Stoecker Ecological was formed in 1998 after encouragement from my professors and internship director to seek funding of my thesis project with U.C. Santa Barbara’s Biology Department. This project described how a Geographic Information System (GIS) could be used in conjunction with field surveying and unique prioritization methods to aid in the recovery of steelhead trout in Southern California. In 2000, the California Department of Fish and Game and the Wendy P. McCaw Foundation jointly funded the two-year project that was completed in collaboration with a local non-profit group. Two friends and fellow UCSB alumni, Shaw Allen and Nikolai Ferrell, joined SE in 2000 to complete this first company project, Steelhead Assessment and Recovery Opportunities in Southern Santa Barbara County, California 2002.
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Following this initial study, a variety of state andfederal agencies as well as non-profit groups and consulting firms have contracted us to conduct similar habitat and fisheries assessment and recovery projects in watersheds such as the Arroyo Seco, San Francisquito Creek, Santa Maria River, Sisquoc River, Santa Ynez River, Santa Clara River, Ventura River, and other coastal streams in California. Fittingly, my older brothers Jim and Doug Stoecker, as well as my dad Bob, also joined the team on several of these projects and brought full circle a cognizance of adventure, investigation, analysis, and ecosystem restoration that I was taught early on in life. Working on these projects with friends and family while exploring and helping to protect our amazing streams, wilderness areas, and even urban environments has been a rewarding experience. I hope this website’s project descriptions, reports, and photos provide the scientific information and inspiration to help with the restoration and protection of our natural heritage.
Stoecker Ecological is committed to minimizing our impact on the planet by using biodiesel as a transportation fuel source, using recycled materials as much as possible, utilizing non-capture fisheries population surveying methods, and promoting ecologically sustainable restoration planning and design. Since 2005 we have used Biodiesel (B99), from recycled vegetable oil sources, to drive to and from company projects. We also volunteer time, equipment, and donate a portion of annual income to non-profit groups working to preserve our watersheds, wildlands, and communities.
These have included:
- Acterra
- Alameda Creek Alliance
- American Fisheries Society
- American Rivers
- Arroyo Seco Foundation
- Beyond Searsville Dam
- California Trout
- Carpinteria Creek Watershed Council
- Community Environmental Council
- Friends of the River
- Matilija Coalition
- Native Fish Society
- Northeast Trees
- Rincon Creek Watershed Council
- Rocky Mountain Institute
- Salmon River Restoration Council
- Salmonid Restoration Federation
- San Francisquito Watershed Council
- Santa Barbara Channelkeeper
- Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition
- Smith River Alliance
- South Yuba River Citizens League
- The Nature Conservancy
- Union of Concerned Scientists
- Ventana Wildlands Project
- Wild Steelhead Coalition
Matt Stoecker and Stoecker Ecological, along with project partners, received the 2009 Riparian Challenge Award from the American Fisheries Society, for the removal of steelhead migration barriers and restoration efforts on Carpinteria Creek.
Thanks for visiting!
Matt Stoecker
Biologist/Owner
Stoecker Ecological
Matt@StoeckerEcological.com
P.O. Box 2062
Santa Barbara, CA 93120
