Presentation Summary: Plants are a passion for Sandy DeSimone who did her doctoral research on coastal sage scrub, an endangered shrubland. She also developed the “Starr Ranch Field Ecology Programs,” an innovative approach that integrates ecological research into education. People of all ages participate in the programs, taught by biologists, and have hands-on experience in simulated or actual field research. She also directed five years of research on biology and non chemical control of a priority nonnative plant species, artichoke thistle.