NRWA Partners: Strength through Collaboration

The Nashua River Watershed Association’s position as a regional organization allows us to work across town and state boundaries, and to work with groups and individuals focused on land protection, water quality, or environmental education, all in the effort to improve and sustain a healthy quality of life in our communities. One of the Association’s greatest strengths is its ability to form partnerships, gathering together interested stakeholders, government officials, community leaders, educators, and funders, to accomplish both large and small scale projects.

For example, to complete land protection projects, the NRWA has partnered with the Trust for Public Land, The Trustees of Reservations, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the U.S Fish & Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service, along with local land trusts like the Groton Conservation Trust, North County Land Trust, and Beaver Brook Association. The Association has worked collaboratively with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, the City of Fitchburg, and sportsmen’s groups like Trout Unlimited and Ducks Unlimited to protect water quality and quantity. When providing environmental education opportunities to youth and adults, NRWA works with public schools in Harvard, Groton, Fitchburg, Nashua, and in many other communities, along with private schools like Applewild School in Fitchburg, and participates in groups such as the Secretary’s Advisory Group on Environmental Education (a group advising the Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs).

On the occasion of our 40th anniversary, the NRWA took the opportunity to honor our partners through our 40 on Our 40th Awards, recognizing 40 individuals who are both worthy of recognition in their own right, and who also represent the scores of individuals and organizations that have worked with the NRWA through the years.

Also supporting the work of the NRWA are our business partners, along with individual members and donors. Your financial support makes our ongoing work possible.

It would be impossible to list the multitude of organizations and individuals who have partnered with and supported the work of the NRWA; we cannot accomplish our mission alone, and we look forward to a future of continued partnerships and collaboration.

Board, Staff, and TerraCorps Service Member

Staff

Executive Director
Jennifer L. Keegan

Jen comes to NRWA from a career as an attorney working on environmental and social justice issues. Most recently, Jen worked as the Managing Attorney for Development at Northeast Legal Aid in Lawrence. In addition to her management responsibilities, she wrote successful grants for large federal programs, and launched an Environmental Justice Unit. Jen has also worked as Senior Regional Counsel for MA Department of Environmental Protection focused on enforcement of state Superfund laws, groundwater contamination, and remedial action at the Fort Devens Army Installation Facility. Prior to her time at MA DEP, Jen worked in Washington, DC for the US Environmental Protection Agency, the US Department of Justice, and the private law firm Mayer, Brown, all with a focus on environmental law. Jen received her Juris Doctor from the University of Notre Dame Law School, with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Wellesley College. 

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Water Programs Director
Martha Snow Morgan

Martha supervises the NRWA’s Water Monitoring Program, including authoring the NRWA’s EPA, MassDEP and NH DES-approved Quality Assurance Project Plan for the Water Monitoring Program. She manages other water quality-related projects, including Bacterial Source Investigations and nutrient investigations, and provides comments and advocacy on issues concerning water quantity and quality as they affect the Nashua River watershed, including NPDES permits, dam issues, water conservation, and land use issues as they affect water. Martha has been the NRWA’s Water Programs Director since 1999. Martha holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, an Associate Degree in Animal Science, Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts, and a Master’s degree in Geological Sciences from the University of Maine at Orono.

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Watershed Scientist
Jessica Veysey Powell, PhD

Jessica works with both the Water and Land Programs Directors. She joined the NRWA in 2022, bringing with her over 20 years of experience exploring the ecological and social links between terrestrial and aquatic systems. Jessica coordinates the Water Quality Monitoring Program; helps prepare Quality Assurance plans for water sampling; and develops and implements new research and outreach activities for the water program. Jessica also collaborates with watershed partners to improve the conservation value of land development and management proposals, and assists with riparian restoration projects. Jessica completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Wildlife Ecology & Human Dimensions of Environmental Management, a Doctorate in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, and a Master’s in Wildlife Ecology at the University of New Hampshire. Jessica earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Dartmouth College. Jessica has also worked as a private consultant on water, wildlife, and environmental permitting projects.

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Community Programs Director
Wynne Treanor-Kvenvold

Wynne works on community engagement through communication/outreach efforts that include press releases, e-newsletters, website and Facebook postings. She also works on adult education programming, and supports engagement components of NRWA grant projects. She serves as the staff coordinator for the Nashua, Squannacook, and Nissitissit Rivers Wild & Scenic Stewardship Council. Wynne has been on staff since 2000. Wynne holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal Studies from Winona State University in Minnesota.

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Senior Land and Climate Associate
Ryan Hennrikus

Through his work with the Forest Legacy Program, Ryan Hennrikus coordinates with landowners and government officials to support NRWA's mission to conserve wild landscapes throughout the Nashua River Watershed.  He also manages an EPA Environmental Justice grant project with the aim of mitigating climate change-related flooding in the City of Fitchburg. Ryan assists in the Greening the Gateway Cities Program as well, helping to increase tree cover in urban areas of Northern Massachusetts. He previously worked in invasive species eradication and habitat restoration, reviving ecosystems affected by Asian longhorn beetle, European water chestnut, bittersweet, knotweed, and a number of other non-native species. Ryan holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and a Master's degree in Environmental Science & Policy, both from Clark University. 

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Conservation and Climate Resilience Specialist
Sara Singh

Through her work on the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Action Grant (Nature Based Solutions) and the Forest Legacy Program, Sara Singh supports conservation and climate resilience efforts in the watershed region. In addition to developing partnerships in the local communities, she is responsible for project management and reporting, conservation strategy development and implementation, public outreach, and the pursuit of new grant opportunities. Previously, she conducted research on environmental topics including PFAS contamination in the US, climate policy progress in New England, Muddy River restoration, and conservation monitoring technologies. Sara earned her BS in International Business and Marketing from the University of South Carolina Honors College. She also holds an MS in Environmental Policy & Planning from Tufts' UEP Department, and an MA in Law & Diplomacy from The Fletcher School. 

Restoration and Land Programs Associate 
Marisa Browning-Kamins

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River Classroom & Environmental Education Director 
Stacey Billings Chilcoat

Stacey coordinates and implements the NRWA’s “on the water”, canoe-based education programs for youth and adults serving 2000+ participants annually. In this position, she serves as lead environmental educator and river guide on river trips for all ages. She also works with the Environmental Education Associates to create and lead “off water” programs including in school and school yard science classes, family workshops, afterschool nature and science clubs, and outdoor adventure hiking programs for young teens. Stacey serves as an educational consultant to teachers, administrators, and schools developing inquiry-based science programs within the Nashua River watershed. She has been the NRWA’s River Classroom Director since 2001. Stacey holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. She is certified in CPR and Wilderness First Aid, and holds an American Canoe Association Level 3: River Canoeing Instructor Certification.

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Environmental Education Associate 
Gaynor Bigelbach

Gaynor worked for BBC Television in London for several years. In the U.S., she worked  as a freelance correspondent for local newspapers, writing about environmental issues, and family outdoor activities, before switching gears and spending a year at NRWA as an Americorps Service Learning Coordinator in 2010. She has been a part time member of the Education Department at NRWA since 2012. An avid paddler, she is also a certified  American Canoe Association Instructor, and a Discovery Museum Traveling Science Teacher.

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Climate Resiliency Coordinator & Educator 
Paulina Torres

Paulina supports initiatives in the MVP grant funded Nashua River Watershed-wide Nature Based Solutions Project. In this role, Paulina engages with community stakeholders, ensuring diverse perspectives are integrated into the project. As an educator for the NRWA, they work on creating and implementing nature-based climate change solutions curricula to elementary schools in the watershed. Beyond this, Paulina supports various NRWA education programs such as in-school youth programs, River Classroom, and outdoor youth & adult programs. Paulina holds their Bachelors in Geographic Science & Technology from Fitchburg State University, with additional studies in Environment & Earth Sciences.

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Development Director 
Lauri Johnson

Lauri focuses on increasing awareness of and support for the Association from individuals and businesses in the community. She coordinates support from individuals via memberships, annual appeals, and major gifts as well as business and organization membership, sponsorship, and matching gifts. She also supports the Association’s marketing, planning, and outreach activities. Lauri has worked with NRWA since 2002. Lauri holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

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Chris Fournier
Development and Communications Associate

Chris joined the Nashua River Watershed Association in January of 2024 as Development and Communications Associate. His main focus is providing support to both the Development Director and Community Programs Director in coordinating support from individuals and businesses, marketing, planning, outreach, and creating and distributing electronic newsletters and other content for social media. In his free time, Chris enjoys making people laugh, supporting non-profits that prioritize civic and social issues, and learning about history. Chris holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell.

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Office Administrator
Joanne Ward

Joanne (Jo) manages the River Resource Center; and keeps everything running smoothly. She works closely with the Executive Director and supports the work of the Development Team and Program staff. Jo assists with mailings, outreach, and events; coordinates office volunteers. She worked for Department of Defense contractors for over 30 years, nearly 24 of which she served as Facility Security Officer and Office Manager for a 40+ person facility where she was in charge of all access, personnel, and information security.  She also enjoyed a previous career with the former Boston and Maine Railroad. Jo is currently a water monitoring volunteer for both NRWA and the Organization for the Assabet, Sudbury, and Concord Rivers. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Boston University, as well as additional studies in International Business.

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TerraCorps Service Member

Youth Education Coordinator
Leonna Veng

Leonna is serving as an AmeriCorps-TerraCorps member for the NRWA for one year, and takes on the position of Youth Education Coordinator. Her mission through TerraCorps is to prepare and mobilize the NRWA to help neighboring communities gain access to and conserve land for people and nature, and to help people create meaningful connections to local landscapes. Her primary role involves conducting capacity building projects that will lay the groundwork for long-term sustainability and growth of our education programs. In her position, she works closely with the Environmental Education team to lead and create in-school science lessons and services, organize information and materials, curate resources, and develop comprehensive lesson plans. Leonna holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

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Board

Judy Larter, Paul Matisse, and Lucy Wallace, past NRWA presidents

President
Ralph Baker, Fitchburg, MA
Ralph serves on several NRWA committees, including the Climate Impact Committee, which he chairs. Prior to his retirement in 2015, he co-founded and served as CEO, Chairman, and Chief Scientist of TerraTherm, an environmental remediation firm that designed and completed cleanups at dozens of major hazardous waste sites throughout the U.S. and worldwide. An environmental scientist for 45 years, Ralph earned a B.S. in environmental conservation from Cornell, an M.S. in soil chemistry from the Univ. of Maine, and a Ph.D. in soil physics from UMass-Amherst. He has authored over ninety technical publications and four books. Ralph is Chair of the Fitchburg Trails Vision Committee, Clerk of the Fitchburg Greenway Committee, and a member of the Fitchburg Conservation Commission. He is an avid naturalist and enjoys cycling, hiking, kayaking, and back-country skiing. With his wife Judith, a horticulturalist and artist, he also enjoys frequently caring for their two grandchildren.

Vice President
Lucy Wallace, Harvard, MA
Lucy has been engaged through work and non-profit organizations in conservation and land use planning since moving to Harvard, MA in 1979. For 13 years she served as Grants Administrator/Program Manager for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s New England office, overseeing wetlands, resource protection and restoration, and land-related grants. She left the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to manage a family software business, which was recently assumed by a financial planning firm. She recently retired from the Harvard Select Board after serving for seven terms  and which she chaired several times over the course of her tenure. In addition to serving on the Select Board, she has served on and chaired several other local boards over the last 35 years, including the Conservation Commission, Planning Board, and three master planning and related committees. In addition, Lucy has been a trustee and associate trustee of the Harvard Conservation Trust. She has been involved in Devens’ planning and redevelopment since the base’s closure in the mid-1990’s and is currently serving on the town and regional committees addressing the future governance of Devens.

Secretary 
Robert Templeton, Townsend, MA
Rob is a Vice President and Major Accounts Manager at Kleinfelder, an engineering and environmental consulting firm. He is a Professional Geologist (Indiana University of Pennsylvania) and has led environmental assessment and remediation projects across the United States. Robert has served on a number of Town Boards in Townsend including a 9-year member of the North Middlesex Regional School District School Committee and Chairman of the North Middlesex Regional High School Building Committee. He is currently a member of the Townsend Library Board of Trustees and is also on the Townsend Library Endowment Board of Directors. Robert and his wife Ellen volunteer for the NRWA as part of the stream monitoring program. They have lived in Townsend, MA with their two children for 15 years. Robert is an avid birdwatcher and runner.

Treasurer 
Cheryl Serpe, Westford, MA
Cheryl is a Senior Vice President and Senior Regional Manager of Enterprise Bank’s Nashoba Valley/North Central region. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Virginia, with minor degrees in Art History and French. The early years of her professional career were on Wall Street at Irving Trust Company in the project finance division. She currently serves as Vice Chair of Westford’s Economic Development Committee, is Treasurer on the Board of Minuteman Arc for Human Services (Concord) and is a Corporator for Emerson Hospital, where she serves on the Community Benefits Advisory Committee. She is a former board member and past board president of the PCA (Parish Center for the Arts) in Westford, where she produced a blues music series and chaired the annual Westford Regional Art Event. She is also a member of the Westford Rotary Club, and a founder of the Westford Business Association. In her free time, Cheryl is an avid reader and enjoys gardening, hiking, cycling, and kayaking.

Executive Committee Member-at-Large
Fredericka Baytos, Walpole, MA
Freddie recently retired from a lifelong career in marketing research.  Freddie began her career with Mercer Management Consulting where she spearheaded the development of the firm’s qualitative research practice and lead assignments with educational publishers, accounting firms and consumer product companies.  For the latter part of her career, Freddie was the Corporate Marketing Research Director for the Deluxe Corporation, a Minneapolis headquartered company, with satellite locations in Groton and Townsend, MA. At Deluxe, Freddie engaged in strategic, new product, advertising and brand research.  Freddie has been a member of professional associations, such as the American Marketing Association, and volunteers time to assist community organizations.  Freddie holds MA and PhD degrees in Sociology from The Ohio State University.  She is an avid hiker, enjoys flower gardening and has a special interest in protecting and restoring natural places.

Directors

Sherry Anders, Shirley, MA
Sherry has been a resident of Shirley for the past two decades and enjoys living within walking distance of a beautiful stretch of the Squannacook River. After receiving her doctorate from Brandeis University in 2000, she worked in clinical research (McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School) and as a licensed psychologist in private practice, recently retiring to pursue conservation work. Sherry helped to re-establish an active Greenway Committee in Shirley, serving as chair since its inception in 2020. She co-founded “Small Town Shirley,” a community group dedicated to preserving Shirley’s small-town character through open space protection and smart growth initiatives, including a successful grassroots effort to pass the Community Preservation Act in 2023. She has been active in local invasive plant removal efforts and assists a local turtle conservation group with rare species protection. Sherry is a 2023 Keystone Cooperator Alumna. She is also an avid nature photographer, who simply loves being outdoors, and spends time on the Maine Coast each summer.  

Warren Kimball, Boylston, MA
Warren retired from the MA Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) in 2014 after 42 years. He has a BS in Microbiology and a MS in Environmental Engineering. Warren joined the DEP in 1972 as a River Basin Planner conducting water quality analysis, mathematical modeling of  rivers, and writing clean-up plans for major river systems. He was the head of the Water Quality  Standards Program, and developed policies for antidegradation, combined sewer overflows, and  nutrient control. He developed DEP’s SMART Monitoring Program and Water Quality Report  Card. As a consultant to EPA, he helped found the Water Quality Standards Academy. He served as a consultant to USGS and EPA’s National Water Quality Monitoring Council. He was on the Board of Directors for the New England Association for Environmental Biologists. He was a past Director for the NRWA, and currently serves on its Climate Impact Committee and Steering Committee for the 5 Year Strategic Plan. He enjoys hiking, biking, and candlepin bowling; he  also is a member of the AMC’s NH Four-Thousand-Footer Club. 

Ladda Kosaketh, Leominster, MA
Ladda, also known as Bug, is currently the Education & Adventure Operations Director for Just Understand My Potential ( J.U.M.P.), a local youth development program focused on building resilience in young leaders and a Consultant for the Spanish American Center Youth Program. She is a certified Wilderness First Responder and Instructor for Educators Outdoors of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) where she teaches educators how to successfully bring youth outdoors. She also holds the position of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Chair for the AMC Worcester Chapter Executive Committee. She has worked in youth development and education for over 15 years.  She received a B.A. in Outdoor Education & Leadership from Sterling College (VT) and has focused on challenge course facilitation, adventure guiding, nature mentoring and outdoor living skills. She loves learning new things and challenging herself. Her interests include naturalist skills, herbal medicine, traveling and promoting positive social change. 

Priscilla Lawrence, Dunstable, MA
Priscilla is an ordained minister with the United Church of Christ. After completing a long pastorate of 28 years in Pepperell, she now substitutes in various UCC churches in the region. Recently, Priscilla earned her doctorate in ministry in transformational leadership from the Boston University School of Theology. Together with her husband Patrick, she has two daughters. Elizabeth, a graduate of Harvard Law, is an environmental lawyer now working for the Natural Resources Defense Fund in DC.; and Jane, a second-year medical student at Mt. Sinai in New York City. Priscilla and her family have traveled extensively, always with a flair for conservation and the natural world. Birdwatching has been a priority in her travels. Priscilla loves to run, read, and needlepoint. Priscilla’s love of the natural world has always been in the background of her work, and she looks forward now to bringing it to the fore by contributing to the NRWA in a meaningful manner.

Linda Mack, Townsend, MA
Linda recently retired from her position as Vice President for Philanthropy at the Community  Foundation of North Central Massachusetts. In her position, she was responsible for the increase of charitable funds of over $50 million that supported North Central Massachusetts Community nonprofits. She has over 25 years of experience in nonprofit executive management and extensive experience in nonprofit fundraising, strategic planning, and board development. She presently has her own consulting business focused on guiding nonprofits on their path to success. Linda is a board member for the Friends of the Twin Cities Rail Trail, North County  Land Trust, Squannacook River Rail Trail, Planned Giving Council of Central Mass, and the Townsend Conservation Commission. She has a small farm and enjoys the outdoors through gardening, bicycling, hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

Christopher Picone, Ashburnham, MA
Chris grew up in Groton and is a current resident of Ashburnham, MA. Chris has been a professor of ecology and environmental sciences at Fitchburg State University since 2004. The forests and streams feeding the Nashua River are often part of his teaching and student projects. He serves as the chair of Ashburnham’s Conservation Commission, chair of the Open Space and Rec Committee, as well as the board of the town Rail Trail and the Mt. Watatic Management Committee. Chris attended the College of the Holy Cross, and he earned a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan by working in Nicaraguan rainforest. He then studied soil ecology of perennial grain agriculture at The Land Institute in Kansas before returning to his New England roots. He enjoys trail running, Contra dancing, gardening, and all forms of sustainability.

Bob Pine, Groton, MA
Bob is a principal and founder of Pine and Swallow Environmental, where he is Director of Environmental Planning and Engineering. A Professional Engineer and a Landscape Architect,
he has been involved with major landscape development projects throughout the United States and worldwide. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Bob has served as Trustee for the Groton Conservation Trust for over 40 years and on numerous Groton Town Boards and Committees. He also served as Chair of the Nominating Committee for the Squannassit and Petapawag Areas of Critical Environmental Concern. Bob has served on the NRWA Board, with periodic term limit respites, since 1993. He currently serves as Chair of the NRWA Climate Impact Committee.

Francisco Ramos, Clinton MA

A resident of Clinton, MA, Francisco has been involved in community organizing and volunteerism since 1999 starting in Chicago, Il, until moving to Massachusetts in 2011 where he continues his community work. Francisco is the Director of Community Organizing at NewVue Communities in Fitchburg, MA.

Thomas Ryden, Pepperell, MA
Tom is the Executive Director of MassRobotics, a Boston based independent, non-profit center serving to educate, inspire, and bring robotics initiatives, investments, and companies to life.  Tom serves on numerous science advisory boards, including ones at Tufts University, Northeastern University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Tom has an engineering degree from University of Vermont and an MBA from Bentley University. Tom previously served on the NRWA Board of Directors from 2012-2018. In his free time, Tom enjoys kayaking on the river with his children.

Susan S. Slane, Nashua, NH
Susan is a lifelong resident of New Hampshire and has been living in Nashua for over 30 years. She is currently a REALTOR® with Better Homes and Gardens The Masiello Group after retiring from a 33 year career in the IT industry with DEC, Compaq, and HP. Her roles spanned product and program management and market research to alliances and channel partner management.  Susan has a degree in Biology from Tufts University and an MBA from the University of Massachusetts/Amherst. An avid nature lover, Susan had the incredible opportunity to intern at Manomet, Inc. (originally known as the Manomet Bird Observatory), where her love of birds soared, especially Piping Plovers. She became a NH Natural Resources Steward in 2015 through the UNH Cooperative Extension and a water monitor volunteer with the NRWA in 2016.  Susan enjoys golfing, curling, kayaking and just enjoying the beauty that nature has to offer.

Soudie Tahmassebipour, Holden, MA
Soudie is an Iranian-American attorney, founder and Executive Director of the Wachusett  Area Social Justice Alliance. She has spent her career empowering and advocating for  individuals who have been historically marginalized, first for 20 years at the New  Hampshire Public Defenders Office and then at the Committee for Public Counsel  Services in Massachusetts. An experienced Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging  (DEIB) strategist, she has presented at trainings and events throughout New England and abroad. Soudie loves to travel the world and read.  

Charles Vander Linden, Groton, MA
Chuck was a partner in the law firm of Starr Vander Linden, LLP from 1981 through 2020; he now practices in an “of counsel” capacity in the successor firm of Starr Traiger, LLP, which has offices in Fitchburg and Worcester. Chuck graduated from Harvard Law School in 1976 and then served as a law clerk for the Honorable Reuben Goodman on the Massachusetts Appeals Court. He has been engaged in the practice of law in central Massachusetts since 1977. He served as a member of the Groton Zoning Board of Appeals for 15 years and has been a Trustee of the Groton Conservation Trust since 1984.

Sarah Widing, Shirley, MA
Sarah is a Central Mass native and a current resident of Shirley. Sarah has a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and a Master’s degree in Water Resources engineering, both from Tufts University. She has over 17 years of experience in private consulting and engineering design specializing in surface water. Her background includes floodplain modeling and mapping, stormwater management permitting and design, stream-crossing design (critter-friendly design), and dam safety. She is currently employed at
Inter-Fluve, an interdisciplinary ecological restoration design firm that specializes (on the East Coast) in dam removals and cranberry bog restorations. She is currently an active member of the Town of Shirley Planning Board.

Robert L. Zimmerman, Jr. Littleton, MA
Bob Zimmerman, a lifelong alpine skier and racer and 50-year alpine ski coach, co-founded an academy for winter athletes early in his career. He served the school as an English teacher, coach, and headmaster for 12 years. He then became Executive Director of the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA). Over nearly 30 years, he expanded the focus of the organization to include scientific research and analysis, ecosystem restoration, land and water regulation reform, and restorative technology development. In 2011 CRWA won the $350,000 International River Foundation’s Theiss International Riverprize for exceptional river management. US EPA now calls the Charles the cleanest urban river in the country. Since retiring from CRWA in 2018, he has been consulting on environmental restoration efforts around the country, and in 2021 became a lecturer in ecological restoration at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design.

Founding Director Emeritus
Marion Stoddart, Groton, MA
Marion is the founder of the Nashua River Clean-up Committee and the NRWA. She has played a key role in the clean up of the Nashua River and the success of the organization. Marion is an active member of the Groton Greenway Committee. She is the former Chairman of the Groton Conservation Commission and the Groton Conservation Trust. Interests include adventure travel, hiking canoeing, kayaking, cross-country skiing, bicycling and tennis.

NRWA’s Annual Meeting Keynote Speakers

The NRWA has had a long line of distinguished Keynote Speakers at our Annual Meetings. Our speakers have included leaders in the field of freshwater resource protection, notable wildlife conservationists and biologists, acclaimed authors, and leaders in the business world. Their work inspires ours, and we hope the reverse is true as well.

2021    NRWA Staff
2020    Linh Phu, Eastern MA National Wildlife Refuge Complex Manager
2019    50th Anniversary Celebration
2018    Christine Schadler, Wild Canid Ecologist
2017    David Vallee, Hydrologist-in-Charge National Weather Service Northeast Rivers Forecast Center
2016    Christopher A. Williams, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Geography, Clark University
2015    Robert Zimmerman, Jr., Executive Director of the Charles River Watershed Association
2014    Wayne Klockner, Vice President and MA State Director at The Nature Conservancy
2013    Eric Chivian, M.D., Founder of the Center for Health & the Global Environment at Harvard Medical School, and co-founder of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, recipient of the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize, Author
2012    Dave Anderson, Director of Education, Society for the Protection of NH Forests
2011    Daniel M. Ashe, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
2010    William Waterway Marks, Author and Water Activist
2009    NRWA 40th Anniversary-- 40 on Our 40th Awards
2008    Akiko Busch, Swimmer and Author
2007    Gary Hirshberg, Chairman, President, and CEO of Stonyfield Farm
2006    Mitchell Thomashow, Environmental Educator and Author
2005    Sandra Postel, Founder of the Global Water Policy Project and Author
2004    NRWA 35th Anniversary—Celebratory Contra Dance
2003    Marion Stoddart, NRWA Founder
2002    Ben Kilham, Wildlife Biologist and Author
2001    Peter Alden, Naturalist and Author
2000    Tom Wessels, Ecologist and Author
1999    NRWA 30th Anniversary Celebration
1998    Arthur Bergeron, Historian
1997    Lyn Billman-Golemme, AICP, Regional Planner