Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

2025 IPM Award

Steven Swain served on the Integrated Pest Management Commission. After graduating from UC Santa Cruz, he dedicated his career to working with plants and trees. Since 2000 he worked at the University of California Cooperative Extension for Marin and Sonoma counties, most recently as an environmental horticulture advisor.

Steven was known as a captivating speaker and bi-lingual educator, with a focus on supporting small, independent landscape-care business owners. He was dedicated to expanding public and professional knowledge in soil management, plant care, and irrigation systems. He collaborated on education and research on a wide range of topics, including oak ecology, firesafe landscaping, insect pathogens, and keeping pets safe from poisonous plants.

Commissioner Swain passed away unexpectedly on February 8, 2025. His love for California forests and plant life remains an inspiration.