Jenny Pensky is a PhD Candidate in Hydrogeology in the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department at UC Santa Cruz and a Water Quality Program Coordinator with the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation. Her work focuses on improving both surface and groundwater quality on agricultural landscapes on the Central Coast of California. As a graduate student, Jenny has investigated methods for improving groundwater supply and quality in Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) systems in the Pajaro Valley.

 

Since starting at CMSF, she has been involved in projects promoting healthy soils and pesticide best management practices, and engages with stakeholders to develop and implement these water quality projects. She also helps to lead the Agricultural Water Quality Alliance (AWQA), a collaborative partnership of agricultural organizations. Prior to beginning her graduate studies, Jenny worked as an environmental consultant in New York City on soil and groundwater remediation projects. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Barnard College of Columbia University.