Hero Image

Susan D Kocher

Forestry/ Natural Resources Advisor
Central Sierra Cooperative Extension
1061 3rd Street
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
530-542-2574
sdkocher@ucanr.edu Create VCard

Biography

I've been an extension forester for the Central Sierra since 2006 focusing on forest resilience from wildfire, drought and increasing disturbances. My work includes applied research, outreach and education on forest stewardship. In the last few years, I've developed a statewide forest stewardship education program, a post-fire education program, and started two new prescribed burn associations. I am a California Registered Professional Forester.

Education

MS Forestry, University of Washington. 1993
BA Anthropology (honors), University of Iowa. 1986

Awards

  • Outstanding Comprehensive Educational Program to Improve Management of Family Owned Forests
    Presented by National Woodland Owners Association,  2022
  • Outstanding Educational Materials Award - Newsletter or Series of Articles, Bronze Award
    Presented by Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals,  2022
  • Outstanding Educational Materials Award - TV or Video, Bronze Award
    Presented by Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals,  2022

Specialty

Forestry, wildfire, prescribed fire, post-fire recovery, adult education, facilitation, public participation

Areas of Expertise (click to see all ANR academics with this expertise)

Bibliography

Peer Reviewed

  • Wilkin, Kate M.; Stasiewicz, Amanda M, et al. (2024). Private landowner interest in prescribed fire in California: findings from workshops in the Sierra Nevada. Fire Ecology. 20:1, 16.
  • Koundinya, Vikram; Chiarella, Cristina, et al. (2023). Building Resilience to Public Safety Power Shutoffs Through Public Education. Journal of Extension. In Press.
  • Wilkin, K.M.; Staciewicz, A.M., et al. (2023). Findings from private lands prescribed fire workshops in the Sierra Nevada, California. In review. 26 p. October.
  • Kocher, Susan D.; Wade, Daylin (2022). Effects of post-fire timber harvest and mastication on shrub regrowth in the Sierra Nevada mountains: A Lake Tahoe case study. Northwest Science. 95:3, 260-275.
  • Koundinya, Vikram; Chiarella, Cristine, et al. (2020). Disasters Happen: Identifying Disaster Management Needs of Cooperative Extension System Personnel. Journal of Extension. 58:5. October. https://www.joe.org/joe/2020october/a2.php
  • McMahon, Devin; Axelson, Jodi, et al. (2020). Mass Tree Mortality, Fuels, and Fire: A Guide for Sierra Nevada Forest Owners. UCANR Publication. University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. 8683, 20. https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/pdf/8683.pdf
  • Restaino, Christina; Kocher, Susan, et al. (2020). Wildfire Home Retrofit Guide. University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. SP-20-11, 20.
  • Waks, Lulu; Kocher, Susan D., et al. (2019). Landowner Perspectives on Reforestation following a High-Severity Wildfire in California. Journal of Forestry. 117:1, 30-37.
  • Marshall, Adrienne; Kocher, Susan, et al. (2017). Adapting Forests to Climate Change. Forest Stewardship Series #25. UCANR Publication 8574, 14. https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/Details.aspx?itemNo=8574
  • Kocher, Susan D.; Butsic, Van (2017). "Governance of Land Use Planning to Reduce Fire Risk to Homes Mediterranean France and California." Land 6(2): 24.
  • Safford, Hugh D.; Sawyer, Sarah C., et al. (2017). Linking knowledge to action: the role of boundary spanners in translating ecology. Frontiers in Ecology and The Environment.S. Jackson, C. Enquist and G. Garfin. 15:10, 560–568. December. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/fee.1731/full
  • Shive, Kristen; Kocher, Susan (2017). Recovering from Wildfire, A Guide for California's Forest Landowners. UCANR Publication. Davis, CA, University of California Division Agriculture and Natural Resources. 8386, 18. https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/pdf/8386.pdf
  • Ingram, Kim C; Kocher, Susan (2015) Natural History of the Sierra Nevada. California Naturalist Series 19
  • Sulak, Adriana; Kocher, Susie, et al. (2015). PARTICIPATION TEAM FINAL REPORT. Appendix F in Learning how to apply adaptive management in Sierra Nevada forests: An integrated assessment.P. Hopkinson and J. Battles. Berkeley, CA, Center for Forestry, UC Berkeley. 203. August.
  • Sulak, Adriana; Huntsinger, Lynn, et al. (2015). "UC plays a crucial facilitating role in the Sierra Nevada Adaptive Management Project." California Agriculture 69(1): 43-49.
  • Kocher, Susan; Lombardo, Anne, et al. (2013). "Using Social Media to Involve the Public in Wildlife Research – the SNAMP Fisher Sock Collection Drive." Journal of Extension 51((1))
  • Kocher, S.D.; Toman, E., et al. (2012). "How can we span the boundaries between wildland fire science and management in the United States?" Journal of Forestry 110(8): 421-428.
  • Kocher, Susan.D.; Thompson, Lisa C.; Harris, Richard R. (2008). "Living among the Fish, A Guide to Conservation of Fish Habitat in the Developed Landscape." UCANR Publication 8279. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, Davis, CA: 26 pages.
  • Harris, R.R.; Kocher, S.D. (2007). Fish and Fish Habitat. Forest Stewardship Series 12. Davis, CA, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. UCANR Publication 8242, 8. 2007. http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/pdf/8242.pdf
  • Harris, R.R.; Kocher, S.D. (2007). Forest Streams. Forest Stewardship Series 9. Davis, CA, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. UCANR Publication 8239, 10. 2007. http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/pdf/8239.pdf
  • Harris, R.R.; Kocher, S.D. (2007). Forest Water Quality. Forest Stewardship Series 11. Davis, CA, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. UCANR Publication 8241, 10. 2007. http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/pdf/8241.pdf
  • Kocher, Susan D.; Cobourn, John (2007). "Natural Resource Issues in the Lake Tahoe Basin: An Extension Needs Assessment." Special Publication SP-07-20. University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, Reno, NV: 18 pages.
  • Harris, R.R.; Kocher, S.D. (2007). Riparian Vegetation. Forest Stewardship Series 10. Davis, CA, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. UCANR Publication 8240, 7. 2007. http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/pdf/8240.pdf
  • Kocher, Susan D.; Gerstein, Jared M., et al. (2007). "Rural Roads: A Construction and Maintenance Guide for California Landowners." UCANR Publication 8262: 23 pages.
  • Harris, R.R.; Kocher, S.D. (2007). The Role and Effectiveness of Local Agency Policies and Procedures in Protecting Anadromous Fish Habitat. Proceedings of the American Institute of Hydrology Annual Meeting and International Conference Integrated Watershed Management: Partnerships in Science, Technology and Planning, Reno, NV, Hydrological Science and Technology.
  • Harris, R.R.; Kocher, S.D. (2007). Tree Growth and Competition. Forest Stewardship Series 5. Davis, CA, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. UCANR Publication 8235, 10. 2007. http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/pdf/8235.pdf
  • Kocher, S.D.; De Lasaux, M.J. (2006). Fuel Reduction Guide for Sierra Nevada Forest Landowners. Davis, CA, University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. 26.
  • Harris, Richard R.; Kocher, Susan D. (2002). "Oak Management by County Jurisdictions in the Central Sierra Nevada, California." Proceedings of the Fifth Symposium on Oak Woodlands: Oaks in California's Changing Landscape. Standiford, Richard B.; McCreary, Doug; Purcell,L.K. technical coordinators General Technical Report PSW-GTR-184: 463-472.
  • Kusel, Jonathan; Kocher, Susan D., et al. (2000). "Effects of Displacement and Outsourcing on Woods Workers and Their Families." Society and Natural Resources 13: 115-134.
  • De Lasaux, M.J.; Harris, R.R., et al. (2000). "Process and Reality: Working with a Local Watershed Organization to Develop a Restoration Effectiveness Monitoring Program." Journal of Extension 38(2)

Non-Peer Reviewed

  • Wade, Daylin; Kocher, Susan, et al. (2024). Emergency Forest Restoration Teams: Lessons From the First Two Years. A report to the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. 69. June.
  • Kocher, Susie; Tompkins, Ryan (2023). Assisting Private Forestland Owners with Reforestation after Wildfires. UC Center Sacramento Policy Brief. 6:2, 1. April 19. https://uccs.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk12071/files/inline-files/UCCS%20Kocher%20Policy%20Brief%204.19.23.pd
  • Kocher, Susan; Wade, Kocher (2023). Post-fire mastication effects on shrub regrowth. Research Brief for Resource Managers. California Fire Science Consortium. September. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/545a90ede4b026480c02c5c7/t/65171cad9bad930a8b6e7bfe/1696013486222/Angora+Research+Brief+9-21.pdf
  • Ingram, Kim; Kocher, Susan, et al. (2022). California’s Small Forest Landowners: Goals and barriers of landowners motivated to manage their forests. A report to the California Fire and Forest Resilience Task Force. November. https://ucanr.edu/sites/forestry/files/376603.pdf
  • Kocher, Susan; Tompkins, Ryan (2021). Moving beyond America’s war on wildfire: 4 ways to avoid future megafires. The Conversation. October 13, 2021. https://theconversation.com/moving-beyond-americas-war-on-wildfire-4-ways-to-avoid-future-megafires-168898
  • Lakhina, S.J.; Kocher, S., et al. (2021). Wildfire preparedness and evacuation planning in a pandemic: Case studies from California and Colorado. CONVERGE COVID-19 Working Group for Public Health and Social Science Research. Wonder Labs, California. https://www.wonder-labs.org/publications.html

  • York, Rob; Roughton, Ariel; Tompkins, Ryan; Kocher, Susan. (2020). Burn permits need to facilitate – not prevent – “good fire” in California. California Agriculture. http://calag.ucanr.edu/archive/?article=ca.2020a0014 

  • Kocher, Susan; Kearns, Faith, et al. (2020). Disasters Happen. We Can and Will Be Prepared! Disaster Preparation and Response Guide for the ANR Community. UCANR Publication. 21. http://ucanr.edu/disaster/
  • Axelson, Jodi N.; Battles, John, et al. (2019). The California Tree Mortality Data Collection Network — Enhanced communication and collaboration among scientists and stakeholders. California Agriculture. 73:2, 55-62. April to June. http://calag.ucanr.edu/Archive/?article=ca.2019a0001
  • Kocher, Susan D (2018). A review of A Taste for Provence, by Helen Lefkowitz Horowitz. The AAG Review of Books.K. Mathewson. Philadelphia, PA, Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group. 6:1, 18-19. Winter. Available on-line athttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2325548X.2018.1402271
  • Kocher, Susan; York, Rob, et al. (2018). Can rakes save forests? Yes, as long as you have a drip torch in the other hand. UCANR Green Blog. December 11. https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=28855
  • Grantham, Theodore; Kearns, Faith, et al. (2017). Building climate change resilience in California through UC Cooperative Extension California Agriculture. California Agriculture. 71:4, 197-200. http://calag.ucanr.edu/archive/?article=ca.2017a0045
  • Kocher, Susan (2015). Californians must learn from the past and work together to meet the forest and fire challenges of the next century. California Agriculture. 69:1, 5-9. January - March. http://californiaagriculture.ucanr.edu/landingpage.cfm?article=ca.v069n01p5&fulltext=yes
  • Kocher, Susie (2015). Public Information Working Groups Create Wildfire Awareness. Fire Adapted Community Learning Network blog. April 9. http://facnetwork.org/public-information-working-groups-create-wildfire-awareness/
  • Kocher, Susan (2015). Thinning Lake Tahoe’s forests increases resilience to insects and wildfires.L. Herron. Tahoe Daily Tribune. June 11. http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/southshore/16740213-113/thinning-forests-increase-resilience-to-insects-wildfires
  • Kocher, Susan (2015). Tree health in a time of drought. UCANR Green blog. June 8. http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=17970
  • Ingram, Kim C; Kocher, Susan et al. (2014). Facilitation Skills for a Collaborative Adaptive Management Process. A workbook to train natural resource managers and stakeholders in facilitation of collaborative projects. January. http://snamp.cnr.berkeley.edu/documents/574/
  • Lombardo, Anne; Kocher, Susan (2014). The Pacific Fisher: Wildlife Research in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. An 18 month calendar. 20. July. http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=15351
  • Kocher, Susan (2014). Wildfire and droughts in Sierra Nevada forests. Insights: Water and Drought Online Seminar Series, California Institute for Water Resources. Jun 16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlh755jp5Wo&list=PLLjlfxpbNglYQxsSCr0TFtk2hUr_p1LDv&index=28
  • Kline, T. and S. Kocher. (2013). Background and Strategies for Managing Fires in California Forests. California Fire Science Consortium Wildland Fire Fact Sheet for the Public and Media. Berkeley, Ca. 2. August. http://cecentralsierra.ucanr.edu/files/172029.pdf
  • Kocher, Susan (2012). Forest fuel reduction treatments do a lot of good and not a lot of harm. Research brief for the California Fire Science Consortium. 2. http://www.cafiresci.org/storage/papers/Stephens%20et%20al%202012_CFSC_Sept%202012.pdf
  • Kocher, Susan; Beckwitt, Steve (2012). Forest Indicators Report: Forest Health and Carbon Storage. A report to the Sierra Nevada Conservancy. 37. http://www.sierranevada.ca.gov/about-us/system-indicators
  • Wade, D. and S. Kocher. (2012). Restoring Conservancy Lands Following the Angora Fire – a Preliminary Assessment. A report to the California Tahoe Conservancy. 58. January. http://cecentralsierra.ucanr.edu/files/147435.pdf
  • Kocher, S. (2011). Angora Success Should not Create a False Sense of Security: Well-funded erosion control measures and lucky weather helped keep Tahoe blue. Severe fire threat remains. Summer. 10-11. Summer. http://www.foresthealth.org/magazine/Summer%202011/Susie%20Kocher%202011.pdf
  • Kocher, Susan; Quarles, Steve (2011). Improving Your Home? Consider Fire Risk When Planning Improvements. Tahoe Daily Tribune. April 24.

  • Kocher, S. 2011. Building on Science to Implement Landscape Level Treatments for Fire Resilience: Report on a Conference held at McClellan Park, CA April 27th and 28th, 2011. June 2011. 55 pages. 

  • Kocher, S.D. (2009). "Landscape restoration after the Angora fire." UC Delivers
  • Kocher, S.D.; Long, B.T. (2009). Voluntary Revegetation Guidelines for Private Parcels in the Angora burn area of South Lake Tahoe, CA. South Lake Tahoe, CA, University of California Cooperative Extension. 23. 2009. http://ucanr.org/angorareveg
  • Wade, Daylin; Kocher, Susie (2007). "Angora Fire Restoration Monitoring Protocol for the California Tahoe Conservancy.": 36 pages.
  • Harris, Richard R.; Kocher, Susan D. (2005). "Development Policies and Practices Affecting Habitat for Anadromous Fish in the San Francisquito Creek Watershed, Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, California." Prepared for San Francisquito Watershed Council by University of California Cooperative Extension, Berkeley, CA: 129 pages.
  • Kocher, S.D.; Gerstein, J.M., et al. (2005). Documenting Salmonid Habitat Restoration Project Locations. Berkeley, CA, University of California, Center for Forestry. 22. 2005. http://forestry.berkeley.edu/comp_proj/dfg.pdf
  • Harris, Richard R.; Kocher, Susan D.; Gerstein, J.M. and Olson, C. (2005). "Monitoring the Effectiveness of Riparian Vegetation Restoration.": 33 pages.
  • Kocher, S.D.; Gerstein, J.M. (2005). Photographic Monitoring of Salmonid Habitat Restoration Projects. Berkeley, CA, University of California, Center for Forestry. 21. 2005. http://forestry.berkeley.edu/comp_proj/dfg.pdf
  • Harris, Richard R.; Olson, Craig M.; Kocher, Susan D.; Gerstein, Jared M.; Stockard, William; Weaver, William E. (2005). "Procedures for Monitoring the Implementation and Effectiveness of Fisheries Habitat Restoration Projects.": 24 pages.
  • Harris, R.R.; Kocher, S.D. (2005). Qualitative Monitoring of Fisheries Habitat Restoration. Berkeley, CA, University of California, Center for Forestry. 166. 2005. http://forestry.berkeley.edu/comp_proj/dfg.pdf
  • Kocher, Susan D. (2003). Compilation of Oak Woodland Policy Inventory. Center for Forestry. 4.
  • Kocher, Susie D. (2001). Blueprint for Youth. Building a Future for Portola Youth. Portola, CA, Youth in Focus. 37. 2001.
  • George, Holly A.; Kocher, Susan D.; Hamblen, B. (2001). "Caring for Your Animals." Donaldson, Susan. Living on the Land: Stewardship for Small Acreages Funded by a grant from the Western Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program. (Lesson plan and instructional powerpoint)(Module 5, Lesson 2)
  • Harris, Richard R.; Kocher, Susan D.; Kull, Kallie M. (2001). "Effects of County Land Use Regulations And Management On Anadromous Salmonids And Their Habitats: Sonoma, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties, California." Prepared for the FishNet 4 C program: 69 pages.
  • George, Holly A.; Kocher, Susan D.; Miller, B.; Hefner, Melody; Williams, C. (2001). "Managing Impacts to Avoid Negative Impacts." Donaldson, Susan. Living on the Land: Stewardship for Small Acreages Funded by a grant from the Western Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program. (Lesson plan and instructional powerpoint)(Module 5, Lesson 3)
  • George, Holly A.; Kocher, Susan D.; Miller, B.; Hefner, Melody (2001). "So You Want To Be An Animal Owner?" In: Donaldson, Susan. 2001. Living on the Land: Stewardship for Small Acreages Funded by a grant from the Western Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program. (Lesson plan and instructional powerpoint)(Module 5, Lesson 1)
  • Kocher, S.D.; De Lasaux, M.J. (1999). Big Flat Meadow Restoration Project. University of California Cooperative Extension, Quincy, CA, Feather River Coordinated Resource Management Group. Fact Sheet #6, 4. 1999. http://www.feather-river-crm.org/pdf/fact6.pdf
  • George, H.A.; Kocher, S.D. (1999). Land Management Regulations and Agency Contact Directory, Plumas and Sierra Counties, California. Quincy, CA, University of California Cooperative Extension. 17. 1999. http://ucce-plumas-sierra.ucdavis.edu/files/3938.PDF
  • Harris, R.R. and S.D. Kocher. (1998). "Effects of County Land Use Regulations and Management on Anadromous Salmonids And Their Habitats: Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, Siskiyou and Trinity Counties, California." A Final Report to the Five County Planning Group in the North Coast Coho Salmon Transboundary Evolutionarily Significant Unit Center for Water and Wildland Resources, University of California, Davis, CA: 63 pages.
  • Kocher, Susan D. (1998). When: Cultural History of California Forests. Working in the Woods: A Guide for California's Forest Landowners. University of California, Berkeley, CA.
  • LeBlanc, John W.; Kocher, Susan D. (1998). When: The Fire History of Your Property. Working in the Woods: A Guide for California's Forest Landowners. University of California, Berkeley, CA.
  • Kocher, Susan D. (1998). When: Your Forest's History. Working in the Woods: A Guide for California's Forest Landowners. University of California, Berkeley, CA.
  • LeBlanc, John W.; Kocher, Susan D. (1998). Who Can Help? Agencies and Organizations Providing Assistance to Landowners. Working in the Woods: A Guide for California's Forest Landowners. University of California, Berkeley, CA.
  • Kocher, Susan D. (1998). Why Does Douglas-fir Grow Here? Working in the Woods: A Guide for California's Forest Landowners. University of California, Berkeley, CA.
  • Kocher, Susan D. (1998). Why Does Giant Sequoia Grow Here? Working in the Woods: A Guide for California's Forest Landowners. University of California, Berkeley, CA.
  • Kocher, Susan D. (1998). Why Does Jeffrey Pine Grow Here? Working in the Woods: A Guide for California's Forest Landowners. University of California, Berkeley, CA.
  • Kocher, Susan D. (1998). Why Does Lodgepole Pine Grow Here? Working in the Woods: A Guide for California's Forest Landowners. University of California, Berkeley, CA.
  • Kocher, Susan D. (1998). "Why Does Ponderosa Pine Grow Here?" Working in the Woods: A Guide for California's Forest Landowners
  • Kocher, Susan D. (1998). Why Does Redwood Grow Here? Working in the Woods: A Guide for California's Forest Landowners. University of California, Berkeley, CA.
  • Kocher, Susan D.; LeBlanc, John W. (1998). "Why is My Forest the Way it Is: Site Quality." Working in the Woods: A Guide for California's Forest Landowners. University of California Cooperative Extension
  • LeBlanc, John W.; Kocher, Susan D. (1998). Why Is My Forest the Way It Is: Soil Erosion. Working in the Woods: A Guide for California's Forest Landowners. University of California, Berkeley, CA.
  • LeBlanc, John W.; Kocher, Susan D. (1998). Why is My Forest the Way It Is: Soils. Working in the Woods: A Guide for California's Forest Landowners. University of California, Berkeley, CA.
  • Kocher, Susan D. (1998). Why Is My Forest the Way It Is: Water. Working in the Woods: A Guide for California's Forest Landowners. University of California, Berkeley, CA.
  • Kocher, S.D. (1997). "Conceptual Models for Restoration of Water and Sediment Storage in Sierra Nevada Meadows." Watershed Management Council Networker 7(3)
  • Kocher, S.D.; De Lasaux, M.J. (1996). 1985- 1995 Accomplished Projects Summary. University of California Cooperative Extension, Quincy, CA, Feather River Coordinated Resource Management Group. Fact Sheet #2, 5. 1996. http://www.feather-river-crm.org/pdf/fact2.pdf
  • Kocher, S.D.; De Lasaux, M.J. (1996). Greenhorn Creek Trout Enhancement Project. University of California Cooperative Extension, Quincy, CA, Feather River Coordinated Resource Management Group. Fact Sheet #4, 4. 1996. http://www.feather-river-crm.org/pdf/fact4.pdf
  • Kocher, S.D.; De Lasaux, M.J. (1996). Organizational Profile. University of California Cooperative Extension, Quincy, CA, Feather River Coordinated Resource Management Group. Fact Sheet #1, 4. 1996. http://www.feather-river-crm.org/pdf/fact1.pdf
  • Kocher, S.D.; De Lasaux, M.J. (1996). Red Clover Creek Demonstration Project. University of California Cooperative Extension, Quincy, CA, Feather River Coordinated Resource Management Group. Fact Sheet #3, 4. 1996. http://www.feather-river-crm.org/pdf/fact3.pdf
  • Kocher, S.D.; De Lasaux, M.J. (1996). Wolf Creek Restoration Project. University of California Cooperative Extension, Quincy, CA, Feather River Coordinated Resource Management Group. Fact Sheet #5, 4. 1996. http://www.feather-river-crm.org/pdf/fact5.pdf
  • De Lasaux, Michael J.; Kocher, Susan D. (1996). "Wolf Creek Restoration Project." Feather River Coordinated Resource Management Group Fact Sheet 5: 4 pages.

ANR Workgroup Associations

Return to Our Mission