Lilium pardalinum, or California Tiger Lillies, found along Squirrel Creek in the Plumas National Forest.
Steve Ackley
(He/him)Steve Ackley - Public Affairs Specialist - California Water Science Center
After serving a term as an Information Specialist for the California Water Science Center from 2018 to July of 2022, Steve returned as a Public Affairs Specialist in 2023. Prior to coming to the USGS, Steve worked in corporate marketing for 20+ years. Before that, he was a high school English teacher.
Professional Experience
Public Affairs Specialist
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Sacramento, CA
Jan 2023 - Present
Information Specialist
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Sacramento, CA
Jan 2018 - July 2022
Web/Digital Content Producer/Developer
Power Integrations, San Jose, CA
May 2008 - Jan 2018
Project Manager for Apple Education Website (consultant)
Apple Computer, Cupertino, CA
Education and Certifications
San Francisco State University - MA (Education)
Bethany University - BA (Communications)
Science and Products
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
USGS Participates in 2021 Orange County Youth Environmental Summit
From April 19th through the 23rd, 2021, the USGS California Water Science Center (CAWSC) participated in the first virtual Orange County Youth Environmental Summit (YES). The award-winning program, formerly known as the Children's Water Education Festival, offers 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders opportunities for learning and engagement. Through interactive sessions, YES teaches youth that
USGS Participates in Earth Day Festivities on Alcatraz Island
On April 20th, the USGS California Water Science Center (CAWSC) participated in annual Earth Day festivities on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. Involvement in the event included science presentations on the island, demonstrating the ongoing research of the USGS Estuarine Hydrodynamics and Sediment Transport team based in Sacramento.
Lilium pardalinum, or California Tiger Lillies, found along Squirrel Creek in the Plumas National Forest.
Lilium pardalinum, or California Tiger Lillies, found along Squirrel Creek in the Plumas National Forest.
Lilium pardalinum, or California Tiger Lillies, found along Squirrel Creek in the Plumas National Forest.
![USGS team in front of Squirrel Creek monitoring station](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/group1.jpg?itok=nkWAUDGz)
USGS team in front of Squirrel Creek monitoring station in California's Plumas National Forest.
USGS team in front of Squirrel Creek monitoring station in California's Plumas National Forest.
![Scientist checks soil moisture data logging and transmission components](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/jim_howle1.jpg?itok=oknm7SLF)
USGS Hydrologist Jim Howle checks data logging and transmission components using a laptop computer.
USGS Hydrologist Jim Howle checks data logging and transmission components using a laptop computer.
![Soil monitoring station installation team. USGS and USDA.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/big-group1.jpg?itok=LbrPb_A0)
Soil monitoring station installation team, with personnel from USGS and USDA, at Squirrel Creek installation site.
Soil monitoring station installation team, with personnel from USGS and USDA, at Squirrel Creek installation site.
Shown clockwise from top left are: 1] setting up mast to support the station components, 2] installing data logging and transmitting equipment, 3] attaching solar panel and antennae, 4] finished assembly.
Shown clockwise from top left are: 1] setting up mast to support the station components, 2] installing data logging and transmitting equipment, 3] attaching solar panel and antennae, 4] finished assembly.
Soil moisture sensors positioned in pit at different depths. Inset: close-up of sensor showing the two probes that gather the data.
Soil moisture sensors positioned in pit at different depths. Inset: close-up of sensor showing the two probes that gather the data.
A team member helps dig the pit for the soil moisture sensors in the Plumas National Forest in California. Inset: close-up of soil removed from Squirrel Creek pit.
A team member helps dig the pit for the soil moisture sensors in the Plumas National Forest in California. Inset: close-up of soil removed from Squirrel Creek pit.
Panorama of area near Squirrel Creek soil moisture response unit installation in California's Feather River watershed.
Panorama of area near Squirrel Creek soil moisture response unit installation in California's Feather River watershed.
USGS scientists attaching solar panel and antennae to soil moisture response unit.
USGS scientists attaching solar panel and antennae to soil moisture response unit.
![charred, bare trees on a mountain side](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/el-dorado-national-forest-king-fire-2014.jpg?itok=jQa7Zqmu)
The 2014 King Fire burned 97,717 acres in the El Dorado National Forest and on private timberlands. The fires in these burn areas reduce the forest canopy, exposing snowpack to direct sunlight. This increases the rate of snowmelt and evaporation, impacting runoff and groundwater replenishment.
The 2014 King Fire burned 97,717 acres in the El Dorado National Forest and on private timberlands. The fires in these burn areas reduce the forest canopy, exposing snowpack to direct sunlight. This increases the rate of snowmelt and evaporation, impacting runoff and groundwater replenishment.
Science and Products
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
USGS Participates in 2021 Orange County Youth Environmental Summit
From April 19th through the 23rd, 2021, the USGS California Water Science Center (CAWSC) participated in the first virtual Orange County Youth Environmental Summit (YES). The award-winning program, formerly known as the Children's Water Education Festival, offers 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders opportunities for learning and engagement. Through interactive sessions, YES teaches youth that
USGS Participates in Earth Day Festivities on Alcatraz Island
On April 20th, the USGS California Water Science Center (CAWSC) participated in annual Earth Day festivities on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. Involvement in the event included science presentations on the island, demonstrating the ongoing research of the USGS Estuarine Hydrodynamics and Sediment Transport team based in Sacramento.
Lilium pardalinum, or California Tiger Lillies, found along Squirrel Creek in the Plumas National Forest.
Lilium pardalinum, or California Tiger Lillies, found along Squirrel Creek in the Plumas National Forest.
Lilium pardalinum, or California Tiger Lillies, found along Squirrel Creek in the Plumas National Forest.
Lilium pardalinum, or California Tiger Lillies, found along Squirrel Creek in the Plumas National Forest.
![USGS team in front of Squirrel Creek monitoring station](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/group1.jpg?itok=nkWAUDGz)
USGS team in front of Squirrel Creek monitoring station in California's Plumas National Forest.
USGS team in front of Squirrel Creek monitoring station in California's Plumas National Forest.
![Scientist checks soil moisture data logging and transmission components](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/jim_howle1.jpg?itok=oknm7SLF)
USGS Hydrologist Jim Howle checks data logging and transmission components using a laptop computer.
USGS Hydrologist Jim Howle checks data logging and transmission components using a laptop computer.
![Soil monitoring station installation team. USGS and USDA.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/big-group1.jpg?itok=LbrPb_A0)
Soil monitoring station installation team, with personnel from USGS and USDA, at Squirrel Creek installation site.
Soil monitoring station installation team, with personnel from USGS and USDA, at Squirrel Creek installation site.
Shown clockwise from top left are: 1] setting up mast to support the station components, 2] installing data logging and transmitting equipment, 3] attaching solar panel and antennae, 4] finished assembly.
Shown clockwise from top left are: 1] setting up mast to support the station components, 2] installing data logging and transmitting equipment, 3] attaching solar panel and antennae, 4] finished assembly.
Soil moisture sensors positioned in pit at different depths. Inset: close-up of sensor showing the two probes that gather the data.
Soil moisture sensors positioned in pit at different depths. Inset: close-up of sensor showing the two probes that gather the data.
A team member helps dig the pit for the soil moisture sensors in the Plumas National Forest in California. Inset: close-up of soil removed from Squirrel Creek pit.
A team member helps dig the pit for the soil moisture sensors in the Plumas National Forest in California. Inset: close-up of soil removed from Squirrel Creek pit.
Panorama of area near Squirrel Creek soil moisture response unit installation in California's Feather River watershed.
Panorama of area near Squirrel Creek soil moisture response unit installation in California's Feather River watershed.
USGS scientists attaching solar panel and antennae to soil moisture response unit.
USGS scientists attaching solar panel and antennae to soil moisture response unit.
![charred, bare trees on a mountain side](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/el-dorado-national-forest-king-fire-2014.jpg?itok=jQa7Zqmu)
The 2014 King Fire burned 97,717 acres in the El Dorado National Forest and on private timberlands. The fires in these burn areas reduce the forest canopy, exposing snowpack to direct sunlight. This increases the rate of snowmelt and evaporation, impacting runoff and groundwater replenishment.
The 2014 King Fire burned 97,717 acres in the El Dorado National Forest and on private timberlands. The fires in these burn areas reduce the forest canopy, exposing snowpack to direct sunlight. This increases the rate of snowmelt and evaporation, impacting runoff and groundwater replenishment.