Cooperative Extension Specialist Joe DiTomaso has received the Jake Sigg Award for Vision and Dedicated Service from the California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC), the highest honored bestowed each year by the group which works to protect California’s lands and waters from invasive plants through science, education and policy.

DiTomaso is a Fellow with the Weed Science Society of America, Editor-in-Chief for the journal Invasive Plant Science and Management and Director of the UC Weed Research and Information Center. He has been involved with Cal-IPC for 17 of its 20 years, serving on the Board of Directors for nine years including two as President.

Cal-IPC lauded DiTomaso for providing “extremely valuable resources, tools, and books for land managers in California and beyond, and for helping guide Cal-IPC in many endeavors.”

“It is quite an honor to receive this award,” DiTomaso said. “Cal-IPC has been a remarkable organization that has gained national recognition in only 20 years and I am grateful to be able to contribute to the society.”

Cal-IPC formed in 1992 to address one of California's top environmental threats. Working closely with agencies, industry and other nonprofit organizations, the group’s membership includes public and private land managers, ecological consultants and researchers, planners, volunteer stewards, and concerned citizens.

DiTomaso received the Jake Sigg Award (along with a standing ovation) at the 2011 Cal-IPC Symposium in Tahoe this month.