About John McCullah
John McCullah is the host and producer of Dirt Time TV and a nationally recognized expert in erosion control and watershed restoration. With more than three decades of hands-on field experience, he has dedicated his career to advancing practical, science-based solutions through training, consulting, and educational media.
John’s Full Autobiography
With over three decades of hands-on field experience, John McCullah has dedicated his career to advancing practical, science-based erosion control and watershed restoration. In 2021, he received EnviroCert International’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing his lasting contributions to the industry.
Credentials & Certifications
Education
- B.S. in Watershed Management — Humboldt State University
- A.A. in Biology
Professional Certifications
- Certified Professional in Erosion & Sediment Control (CPESC)
- Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD)
- Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP)
- Certified Community College Instructor (since 1996)
- Trainer of Record (CA)
Licensure & Recognition
- California Licensed Contractor (since 1990)
- EnviroCert International Lifetime Achievement Award (2021)
Field Experience & Career
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Over three decades of field experience
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Designed and built environmentally sensitive river and stream projects
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Work spanning California, Alaska, Alberta (Canada), New Zealand
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CA Contractor’s License since 1990
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President of Salix Applied Earthcare
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Founder & Director of the Sacramento Watersheds Action Group (SWAG)
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Teaching and curriculum development since 1996
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Work with Caltrans
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IECA instruction
With more than three decades of hands-on field experience, John McCullah has designed and built environmentally sensitive erosion control and watershed restoration projects across California, Alaska, Alberta (Canada), and New Zealand.
Licensed as a California contractor since 1990, he has led restoration initiatives ranging from river and stream stabilization to large-scale infrastructure support. As President of Salix Applied Earthcare and Founder of the Sacramento Watersheds Action Group (SWAG), John has combined field practice with industry leadership to advance sustainable, science-based solutions.
Since 1996, he has developed curriculum and delivered professional training through community colleges, state agencies, and industry organizations, including the California Department of Transportation and the International Erosion Control Association (IECA).
Featured in Erosion Control Magazine
John McCullah was featured in Erosion Control Magazine in a detailed industry profile highlighting his field experience and contributions to erosion control and watershed restoration. The article is now available through Stormwater.com.
Leadership & Professional Roles
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Host and Producer of Dirt Time TV & WatchYour Dirt
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President of Salix Applied Earthcare
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Founder & Director of the Sacramento Watersheds Action Group (SWAG)
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Instructor of Erosion Control and Watershed Restoration at Shasta College, Redding, CA
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Professional Development Instructor for IECA (since 1996)
Build/Design Services
John McCullah has an AA degree in Biology and a BS in Watershed Geology. He has CA contractors license since 1990 and has been performing erosion control and restoration work for over 25 years. He has designed and built many environmentally sensitive river and stream projects of the last years from California to Alaska, Alberta Canada to New Zealand. While heavily invested in teaching, training and coaching others, John is always interested in contract work or consulting services.
If you have a project you need help with, please reach out here with your name, contact email and a brief description of the project.
Training/Workshops
John has been a Certified Community College Instructor since 1996, developing curriculum and teaching at Shasta College in Northern California. He is a recognized expert in erosion control, stream and watershed restoration, and technical training. He has had specialized adult educator training while teaching state-wide storm water courses for California Department of Transportation for ten years. He is also certified as a QSD and QSP (Qualified SWPPP Developer and Practitioner) and he is a Trainer of Record for these CA professional requirements. As an academic and practitioner with dozens of case studies and Dirt Time clips, John’s trainings are filled with first hand, practical experiences.
View options to learn from online courses or attend workshops and get hands on experience.
Educational Products
John has been a Certified Community College Instructor since 1996, developing curriculum and teaching at Shasta College in Northern California. He is a recognized expert in erosion control, stream and watershed restoration, and technical training. He has had specialized adult educator training while teaching state-wide storm water courses for California Department of Transportation for ten years. He is also certified as a QSD and QSP (Qualified SWPPP Developer and Practitioner) and he is a Trainer of Record for these CA professional requirements. As an academic and practitioner with dozens of case studies and Dirt Time clips, John’s trainings are filled with first hand, practical experiences.
View options to learn from online courses or attend workshops and get hands on experience.