Chris J. McDonald

Chris J McDonald

Inland and Desert Natural Resources Advisor

Ph.D. Renewable Natural Resouce Studies, University of Arizona, Tucson. 2010
M.S. Renewable Natural Resources, University of Arizona. 2005
B.S. Conservation Biology, University of California, Riverside. 2001
invasive plants, weed, weeds, native plant restoration, vegetation management, sensitive species management, endangered and threatened species management, habitat restoration, restoration planning, environmental education, partnerships with Tribes and tribal communities

Peer reviewed

  • Rodriguez, Clarissa S; McDonald, Christopher J; Bean, Travis M; Larios, Loralee (2024). Efficacy of invasive plant control depends on timing of herbicide application and invader soil seedbank density. Restoration Ecology. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/rec.14237.
  • J., McDonald C. (2023). UCANR Pest Note, Sahara mustard. https://ipm.ucanr.edu/natural-area-pests/sahara-mustard/#gsc.tab=0.
  • McDonald, C.J.; Larios, L.; Rodriguez, C. (2023). UCANR Pest Note, Stinknet. https://ipm.ucanr.edu/natural-area-pests/stinknet/#gsc.tab=0.

  • Allen, E.B.; McDonald, C.J.; Hilbig, B.E. (2019) Long-term prospects for restoration of coastal sage scrub: Invasive species, nitrogen deposition, and novel ecosystems. In: Narog, M. (Tech. Coord.) Proceedings of the chaparral restoration workshop, California. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-265. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station: 1-18, 91 pp.

  • McDonald, C.J.; Hilbig, B.; Swanson, A.; Valliere, J. (2016). Hold the Mustard: Field Guide to the Mustards of the Mojave Desert. UCANR Publication 3458. UC ANR. 60.

Non-peer reviewed

  • Burger, J., T. Getts, C. McDonald,  S. Oneto, and C. Taylor. (2025). Basal Bark. Weed Control User Tool (WeedCUT). https://weedcut-new.ipm.ucanr.edu/application-techniques/basal-bark/

  • McDonald, C., J. Burger, T. Getts, S. Oneto and C. Taylor. (2025). Broadcast/Boom Sprayer. Weed Control User Tool (WeedCUT). https://weedcut-new.ipm.ucanr.edu/application-techniques/broadcast-boom-sprayer/

  • Getts, T,., J. Burger, C. McDonald, S. Oneto and C. Taylor. (2025). Cut Stump. Weed Control User Tool (WeedCUT). https://weedcut-new.ipm.ucanr.edu/application-techniques/cut-stump/

  • McDonald, C., J. Burger, T. Getts,  S. Oneto, and C. Taylor. (2025). Drill and Fill. Weed Control User Tool (WeedCUT). https://weedcut-new.ipm.ucanr.edu/application-techniques/drill-and-fill/

  • Oneto, S., J. Burger, T. Getts, C. McDonald, and C. Taylor. (2025). Drizzle. Weed Control User Tool (WeedCUT). https://weedcut-new.ipm.ucanr.edu/application-techniques/drizzle/

  • Getts, T,., J. Burger, C. McDonald, S. Oneto and C. Taylor. (2025). Hack and Squirt. Weed Control User Tool (WeedCUT).  https://weedcut-new.ipm.ucanr.edu/application-techniques/hack-and-squirt/

  • Taylor, C., Burger, J., T. Getts, C. McDonald,  S. Oneto, and L. Pavliscak. (2025). How to Clean Herbicide Application Equipment After Use. Weed Control User Tool (WeedCUT). https://weedcut-new.ipm.ucanr.edu/application-techniques/how-to-clean-herbicide-application-equipment-after-use/

  • McDonald, C., J. Burger, T. Getts, S. Oneto and C. Taylor. (2025). Spot Spraying. Weed Control User Tool (WeedCUT). https://weedcut-new.ipm.ucanr.edu/application-techniques/spot-spraying/

  • Oneto, S.; Getts, T.; McDonald, C (2024). 495 Boom Sprayer Calibration. https://ucanr.edu/sites/csnce/files/404634.pdf

  • Oneto, S.; Getts, T.; McDonald, C (2024). Back Calculation - Sprayer Calibration. https://ucanr.edu/sites/csnce/files/404635.pdf

  • Oneto, S.; Getts, T.; McDonald, C (2024). Backpack Sprayer Calibration 128 Method. https://ucanr.edu/sites/csnce/files/391209.pdf.

  • Oneto, S.; Getts, T.; McDonald, C (2024). Boom Sprayer Calibration 128 Method. https://ucanr.edu/sites/csnce/files/404633.pdf.

  • McDonald, C.J.; Mackie, B.; Getts, T.; Heath, M.; Pirrosko, C. (2024). Chlorsulfuron. Weed Control User Tool (WeedCUT). https://weedcut-new.ipm.ucanr.edu/management-practices/chlorsulfuron/, UC IPM.

  • McDonald, C.J.; Mackie, B.; Miller, R. (2024). Dithiopyr. Weed Control User Tool (WeedCUT). https://weedcut-new.ipm.ucanr.edu/management-practices/dithiopyr/, UC IPM.

  • McDonald, C.J.; Mackie, B. (2024). Fluazifop. Weed Control User Tool (WeedCUT). https://weedcut-new.ipm.ucanr.edu/management-practices/fluazifop/, UC IPM.

  • McDonald, C.J. (2024). Glufosinate. Weed Control User Tool (WeedCUT). https://weedcut-new.ipm.ucanr.edu/management-practices/glufosinate/, UC IPM.

  • Getts, T.J.; McDonald, C.J.; Onetto, S. (2024). Glyphosate. Weed Control User Tool (WeedCUT). https://weedcut-new.ipm.ucanr.edu/management-practices/glyphosate/, UC IPM.

  • Getts, T.J.; Mackie, B.; McDonald, C.J.; Miller, R.; Sebastian, J. (2024). Indaziflam. Weed Control User Tool (WeedCUT). https://weedcut-new.ipm.ucanr.edu/management-practices/indaziflam/, UC IPM.

  • McDonald, C.J.; Giessow, J. (2024). Isoxaben. Weed Control User Tool (WeedCUT). https://weedcut-new.ipm.ucanr.edu/management-practices/isoxaben/, UC IPM.

  • Getts, T.J.; McDonald, C.J.; Sebastian, J. (2024). Rimsulfuron. Weed Control User Tool (WeedCUT). https://weedcut-new.ipm.ucanr.edu/management-practices/rimsulfuron/

  • McDonald, C.; Fraga, N.; Bell, D.; Esparza, J. (2022). Pungent invader: Garlic mustard. California Invasive Plant Council Dispatch. https://www.cal-ipc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Cal-IPC_Dispatch_Summer_2022_FINAL.pdf. 30:2, 4-5.

  • McDonald, C.J. (2020). Grubbing with Grub Hoes. In Burger, J.C. and C. Wilen. Cal-IPC: Best Management Practices for Non-Chemical Weed Control, 13-21.

  • McDonald, C.J., J. Bailey, P. Beitz, et al. (2020). Competitive Planting. In Burger, J.C. and C. Wilen. Cal-IPC: Best Management Practices for Non-Chemical Weed Control, 129-140

  • McDonald, C.J., S. Pynn and T. Reyes. (2020). Scraping with Scuffle Hoes. In Burger, J.C. and C. Wilen. Cal-IPC: Best Management Practices for Non-Chemical Weed Control, 22-30

  • Bean, T., C.J. McDonald and T. Getts. (2020). Mechanized Tillage. In Burger, J.C. and C. Wilen. Cal-IPC: Best Management Practices for Non-Chemical Weed Control, 172-182.

  • Hedrick, P.W and C.J. McDonald (2020). Stinknet, A New Invasive Non-native Plant in the South-western United States. Desert Plants. Boyce Thompson Arboretum. 36:1, 5-16. December.
  • McDonald, C.J. (2018). Management and Eradication of Volutaria. Symposium Proceedings, California Native Plant Society. February.
  • McDonald, Christopher (2018). Management and Eradication of Volutaria. Proceedings California Native Plant Society.
  • McDonald, C.J. (2017). A New Weed in Anza Borrego Threatens Wildflower Bloom. Anza Valley Outlook (Newspaper).
  • McDonald, C.J. (2017). A New Weed in Borrego: Threats and Opportunities for Eradication. The Anza Borrego Foundation Online Newsletter. http://theabf.org/new-weed-anza-borrego
  • McDonald, C.J. (2017). A New Weed, Spreading in Borrego Springs. Borrego Sun Newspaper.
  • McDonald, C.J. (2017). Management of Medusahead in Southern California with an emphasis on eradication. Symposium Proceedings California Invasive Plant Society. October.
  • McDonald, C.J. (2017). Management of Volutaria and stopping its spread in Southern California. Symposium Proceedings California Invasive Plant Society. October.
  • Robison, R; Matthews, . P.; Harris, C.J. McDonald : F. (2017). Partnership Aims to Eradicate Volutaria tubuliflora. Newsletter of the California Invasive Plant Society. 25:1.
  • McDonald, C.J. (2016). Native Plants for Your Wildlife Friendly Backyard. Chuparosa, the Newsletter of the Desert Horticulture Society.
  • McDonald, C.J.; Blecker, L. (2016). Updates to California DPR Personal Protective Equipment: Eyewear and Gloves. California Invasive Plant Council Newsletter. Cal-IPC. October.
  • McDonald, C.J. (2016). Water, Shelter and Food for Wildlife Friendly Backyards. Chuparosa, the Newsletter of the Desert Horticulture Society.
  • McDonald, C.J. (2016). Wildlife Friendly Backyards. Chuparosa Newsletter. Desert Horticultural Society.
  • Engel, Megan; Williams, Kimberly; McDonald, Christopher; Beyers, Jan (2015). Chaparral shrub re-establishment on type-converted slopes in Southern California. Proceedings 99th Annual Ecological Society of America Meeting. August.
  • McDonald, C.J. (2015). Early detection and rapid response (EDRR). Wildflowers Newsletter. April.
  • McDonald, C.J. (2015). How to Stop the Spread of Volutaria, Best Management Practices. Flyer.
  • Williams, K. (2015). Minimizing effort in restoring chaparral shrubs on type-converted slopes. Williams, K., J. Beyers, M. Engel and C. McDonald. August.
  • McDonald, C.J. (2015). Volutaria a New and Highly Invasive Plant in Borrego Springs. Flyer.
  • McDonald, C.J. (2015). Volutaria in Borrego Springs. Sand Paper. Anza Borrego Natural History Association.
  • McDonald, C.J. (2014). Germinating first: A summary on root growth and competition. Wildflowers Newsletter. December.
  • McDonald, C.J. (2014). What is Cooperative Extension? Wildflowers Newsletter. May.
  • McDonald, C.J. (2013). Finding an efficient method of controlling Sahara mustard. Wildflowers Newsletter. November.
  • McDonald, C.J. (2013). Measuring the effectiveness of four herbicides at controlling Sahara mustard. Wildflowers Newsletter. November.