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OREGON CITY - Sam Chan has been named the new Oregon State University Extension Sea Grant agent in watershed health education serving Clackamas and Washington counties and the Portland Metro area. He replaces Paul Heimowitz as aquatic ecosystem health coordinator.

Chan, who is most recently from Corvallis, has a bachelor's degree in bioresource sciences from the University of California at Berkeley. He also has a master of science in forest ecology from OSU, and has completed coursework toward a Ph.D. in forest ecology, also at OSU.

His background prepares him for the wide variety of activities he will perform, coordinating educational and outreach programs focused on such issues as habitat protection, water pollution, salmon and watershed restoration, oil spills and invasive plants and animals.

For the past 16 years Chan worked with the U.S. Forest Service's Pacific Northwest Forest Research Station in Corvallis, conducting research across a broad array of forest topics including the function, management and protection of riparian and headwater forest systems. He also served as a resource instructor for the Master Watershed Steward program throughout the state and is regarded as an outstanding educator.

Mike Bondi, OSU Extension staff chair in Clackamas County, says Chan is an invaluable addition to Extension.

"Sam is an excellent teacher, a very personable man, and is well-versed in many of the water resource issues facing the Portland metropolitan area," Bondi said. "He brings a strong science and research background to this position, too."