Jill Harris leads the development of the California Coast & Ocean Report Card. The Report Card uses a scientific, indicator-based approach to grade the health of the state’s coast and ocean and makes complex environmental data useful for decision-making. Jill has a strong belief in the value of multiple ways of knowing, collaboration across sectors, and bridging the social and natural sciences, such as in her work supporting social science research in California’s marine protected areas.
Prior to joining the OST team in 2024, Jill was a senior environmental scientist at the Delta Stewardship Council and at the California State Water Board. Jill also served as an ocean scientist at the World Wildlife Fund.
Jill received her Ph.D. in marine biology from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Master of Marine Affairs from the University of Washington, and B.A. in biology and environmental studies from Dartmouth College. She is based out of San Diego.