Spotlight Stories

Invasive Plants Advisor Carl Bell Retires

All of us at UCCE in San Diego county would like to wish Carl all the best in his much deserved retirement. Carl has worked with the University for 35 years (since 1979), beginning as a Weed Science Advisor with Imperial County. There he contributed greatly to the management of weeds in large scale farming and also in small scale produce operations (including organic, but mostly with minority farmers and ethnic crops). In 2000, he was reassigned to University of California's Cooperative Extension in San Diego County (UCCE) to work on invasive plants in wildland areas. During his time with UCCE, he was even our offices County Director, but as a researcher, the outdoors called him back to where he belonged, back out in the sun. As Carl has stated, he's far from done. He started his own contracting business, So Cal Invasives, where he plans to carry out much of the same work he's been doing all these years.

If you know Carl, he is also a seasoned globe trotter who's stories remind us that there are many places yet to be seen, interesting people to meet, and new experiences to be had. Well Carl, Congratulations. I'm sure this new adventure will lead to many more great tales.