David Blake
Director's Assistant
UCLA La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science | Stunt Ranch Santa Monica Mountains Reserve
David serves as an administrator for the UCLA La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science and UCLA Stunt Ranch Santa Monica Mountains Reserve, collaborating with Director Brad Shaffer to oversee and maintain both the facilities and the programs they fund. In this capacity, David provides support to both the La Kretz Center and Stunt Ranch by facilitating communication with users and partners, organizing events and grant opportunities, and creating student engagement programs. As a UCLA undergraduate, David contributed to various wildlife research projects, including conducting extensive bumblebee diversity and habitat surveys in the Siskiyou Mountains and developing a habitat suitability model for the federally endangered Arroyo Toad. In his current role, David uses his field work and data analysis skills to assist researchers in achieving their goals and help students gain experience in their chosen field of interest.