Conserving California’s Coastal Waters

Speakers

• Dr. Zack Gold -Lead Molecular Ecologist w/ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory.
• Dr. Mark Gold – Director of California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations.

Overview

Join us for a public discussion of recent advances in ocean conservation and a chance to interact with current UCLA conservation researchers

The UCLA La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science is thrilled to host our 15th Annual La Kretz Center Public Lecture on Sunday October 18th, 2026 on the UCLA main campus. This year we’ll explore both policy and technological solutions that are shaping marine conservation in the state. The Center is honored to have two Bruin alums, the father/son team Zack and Mark Gold, speak about their work monitoring and protecting California marine ecosystems.

California’s coastal waters are some of the most biodiverse, productive, and valuable on earth. However, they face tremendous stress from a changing climate, habitat loss, pollution, disease, and historical overharvesting. UCLA alumnus Mark Gold has been working across governmental and non-governmental agencies for three decades to protect our marine resources. More recently, Bruin Zack Gold has developed and implemented advanced, cutting-edge environmental DNA (eDNA) tools to monitor conservation actions and inform management.

Please join us for an update and discussion on how eDNA is being used in marine conservation in California–finding the last remaining sunflower sea stars in Northern California, providing cost-effective, early warning indicators of invasive “killer algae”, and unlocking hidden patterns of climate’s impact on our oceans. The Golds will also discuss the current state of California Ocean Health, marine conservation challenges, and solutions for better protecting marine biodiversity off our coast. Afterwards, stay for refreshments and informal discussions with the speakers, current La Kretz Center postdoctoral scientists, and UCLA student researchers to see the work we’re supporting to promote conservation science across California.

This free event is open to all ages and is sponsored by the UCLA Institute of the Environment & Sustainability.

Shared by

• La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science