Dr. Vilkitis can be described as a humble person. Entrenched in many on and off campus projects, he is the bridge that crosses the gap between applied research and student learning. He uses his research projects as vessels upon which students can engage in applied resource management, and students' research projects. Dr. Vilkitis earned his doctorate in 1970 at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Projects

• Agriculture Pollution Abatement Wetland
• Environmental Assessment of Cal Fish and Game Hatchery Program
• Habitat conservation planning
• San Simeon walking trail sign
• Water Quality Management Plan for Cal Poly Campus

Professional Involvement

• DIRECTOR of the Coastal Resources Institute, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. An interdisciplinary, cross campus environmental management/planning/assessment institute, 1992-present.
• Education Liaison between Association of Environmental Professionals and Cal Poly
• Paper at Klamath River Basin Fisheries Symposium March 23-24, 1994 Eureka CA. US Dept. of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. Population Differentiation of Spring and Fall Chinook Salmon in the Salmon River System, CA.
• RWQCB Presentation. February 11, 1994, Salinas CA. Investigations and Research on Beneficial Use Designation for Water Bodies.
• Session Moderator and Presenter on Biodiversity. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management and the Concepts Application in Ca. AEP Annual Conference. Newport Beach, CA April 21-24, 1994.
• Teacher Evaluation Workshop, College of Agriculture.
• Update Class Note Books for FNR 306, FNR 416, and FNR 425. Available at El Corral Book Store. Funds were made available from the deans Office for student assistance in revising 416 and 425 to meet the increased demand for these courses.

Awards

• Dole Faculty Award 2000
• International Who's Who of Intellectuals (Vol. V).
• Meritorious Performance and Professional Promise Award. 1989. Cal Poly.

Publications

• Vilkitis J.R., K.J. Busby, M.I. Pinno. 2001. Partnering for Managing Riparian Systems for Water Quality in the Agriculture-Urban Interface. Presented at the Riparian Habitat and Floodplains Conference, Sacramento, CA
• Vilkitis J.R., and K.J. Busby. 1999. Detecting and Managing Change in Water Quality on California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Campus. Presented at the 7th National Nonpoint Sources Monitoring Workshop. Morro Bay, CA.
• Vilkitis, J.R. 1994. Biodiversity and its application in land management. Proceedings, Association of Environmental Professionals 1994 State Conferences, Newport Beach, CA.
• Vilkitis, J.R. and K Jones. 1994. GIS applied to stock identification of salmonids in the Klamath River Basin. Klamath River Basin Fisheries Symposium. March 1994. Eureka, CA.
• Vilkitis, J.R. and J.L. Farwell. 1993. Water quality and wildlife habitat management strategy for ephemeral feeder streams in the rangeland/ag/urban interface. Proceedings, Association of Environmental Professionals 1993 State Conferences, Yosemite , CA.
• Mora, P. et al. 1993. DNA-Based population studies of northern California Chinook salmon (Onchrynchus tshawytscha). Proceedings NOAA, Seattle WA.