Connecticut River Conservancy Hires Dr. Kate Buckman
Alstead, NH – The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) is pleased to announce Dr. Kate Buckman as their new River Steward in NH. With the addition of Kate to the team, the CRC now has a River Steward serving each state within the Connecticut River watershed. “I am genuinely excited to join an organization whose values align with mine and am looking forward to growing CRC’s presence in NH, getting to know the communities within the watershed, and working with established and new partners to protect and restore the river” says Kate. “Being able to have a tangible positive impact on a region that means a lot to me personally was a big motivation for taking this position. I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish working together!”
The Connecticut River Conservancy (formerly the Connecticut River Watershed Council) was established in 1952 to serve as a “voice for the river.” They believe that clean, healthy, functional watersheds support healthy communities and economies and work to ensure that the Connecticut River and its four-state watershed is utilized in ways that are sustainable, accessible, and ecologically sound. While many know the CRC from the annual Source to Sea Volunteer River Clean-up, the CRC supports multiple other initiatives in NH. These include dam removals to restore habitat connectivity, floodplain restorations, community science initiatives to survey for species of conservation concern, invasive species removals, water quality monitoring, ensuring safe access for recreational activities, supporting resilient ecosystems in the face of climate change, and MUCH more. The River Stewards engage in public advocacy supporting CRC’s mission and collaborate with partners across all four states to protect and serve the River. Kate will join Kathy Urffer (VT), Kelsey Wentling (MA), and Rhea Drozdenko (CT) in these efforts.
“Kate brings a solid scientific background and enthusiasm for community engagement and all things aquatic to her position.” says Kathy Urffer, River Steward for CRC in Vermont. Kathy had been serving as River Steward in both VT and NH for the past five years. Kathy adds, “She is a great addition to our team, and we are so excited to have this expanded capacity in the northern part of the watershed.”
Kate grew up in Alstead NH, where she returned after spending years living in Massachusetts and various towns in the Fall Mountain and Upper Valley regions of NH. She has a strong connection to the watershed, from swimming in Lake Warren as a kid to hunting for salamanders in swamps and vernal pools as an adult. She’s particularly fond of fish, Kate says, “They’re amazing!” and would spend all day watching them were she allowed.
Kate received a BA from Smith College in Biological Sciences and a PhD in Biological Oceanography from the MIT/WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography. Prior to joining the CRC team, Kate worked as a Research Scientist at Dartmouth College where she was a member of the Toxic Metals Superfund Research Program and focused on how mercury and other contaminants move through aquatic ecosystems and get into food webs. She helped coordinate multiple school-based community science projects across NH, VT, ME, and MA.
Kate can be reached at kbuckman@ctriver.org.
Since 1952, Connecticut River Conservancy has been the voice for the Connecticut River watershed, from source to sea. They collaborate with partners across four states to protect and advocate for your rivers and educate and engage communities. They bring people together to prevent pollution, improve habitat, and promote enjoyment of your rivers and streams. Healthy rivers support healthy economies. To learn more about CRC, or to make a contribution to help protect your rivers, visit www.ctriver.org.
