Menu Close
Director Emeritus, California Institute for Water Resources, University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Doug Parker is the Director of the California Institute for Water Resources, part of a nationwide network of 54 Universities funded by the US Geological Survey under the Water Resources Research Act of 1964. Doug is also the Strategic Initiative Leader for UC Agriculture and Natural Resources’ Water Quality, Quantity, and Security Strategic Initiative. He coordinates water-related research, extension, and education efforts across the 10 UC campuses, the UC ANR system, and other academic institutions within California.

Doug works with federal, state, and local agencies to guide academic expertise toward finding solutions to California’s water challenges. He brings together local, state, and federal stakeholders to identify issues and sources of political and financial support for water-related research. To improve the understanding of water issues, Doug serves as a key spokesperson on California water issues, working with federal, state, regional, nonprofit, and campus stakeholders on advocacy and outreach programs.

Prior to joining the University of California, Doug worked on water quality issues related to the Chesapeake Bay as an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Maryland. He has also worked on issues related to California water as an Extension Economist at UC Berkeley. Doug obtained his Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics at UC Berkeley and Bachelor’s Degrees in Economics and Environmental Studies at UC Santa Barbara.

Doug is based in Oakland and reports to William Frost, ANR Director of the Research and Extension Center System and Associate Director of Cooperative Extension and the Agricultural Experiment Station.

Experience

  • –present
    Director, California Institute for Water Resources and Strategic Initiative Leader for the Water Initiative, University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources