MS. MARY C. PATYTEN is a Research Writer for the California Department of Fish and Game. She is responsible for outreach and education efforts in the Department's Marine Region (extends along the entire California coastline). Mary's tasks include creating, writing and editing publications from fish identification books and fishery management plans to press releases and newsletters; writing and editing Web content, and organizing and participating in outreach events. She has won several Superior Accomplishment Awards from the State of California for her work, as well as recognition from outside organizations such as the Association for Conservation Information. Mary served on the Executive Management for two years as Senior Features Editor from 2001-2002, created the feature article review process for JYI, and served as a Features Editor, Science Journalist and Associate Editor previously.