Dr. Ellen Cypher, a plant ecologist, has spent over 15 years on surveys, research and recovery planning for endangered plants and animals of the San Joaquin Valley bioregion. She co-authored Recovery Plan for Upland Species of San Joaquin Valley, California (1998) and Draft Recovery Plan for Vernal Pool Ecosystems of California and Southern Oregon (2004). She spent three consecutive terms on the Central California Resource Advisory Council and is a long-time member of the Native Plant Society. Ellen is the vice-chairperson for the committee.
Ellen obtained her bachelor's degree in forest biology from the State University of New York and PhD in plant biology from Southern Illinois University. She is a resident of Bakersfield.