Post-Doctoral Researcher

Villanova University

Dr. Amur is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Villanova University. For her dissertation, she analyzed the performance of a rain garden over 15 years. Her experience includes water resources, stormwater management, and rainfall characteristics. Her research interests include working on projects exploring the intersection of community and water resource management, with an emphasis on enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Dr. Amur received both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering from Drexel University. She received her PhD from Villanova University. 

Sustainability Manager

City of Reading Public Works Department, Sustainability and Solid Waste Division

Bethany works for the City of Reading Public Works Department, Sustainability & Solid Waste Division, as the Sustainability Manager. As the Sustainability Manager, she leads the City’s efforts to transition to 100% renewable energy & adapt to our changing climatic conditions and does strategic planning to steward our shared built and natural infrastructure, leads Public Works community outreach efforts and supports service-learning projects with our local colleges. 

Bethany graduated from RACC in 2016 with two Associate degrees (Science & Social Science) and from Alvernia University in 2018 and 2022 with degrees in environmental biochemistry and sustainable community leadership. 

Bethany is an active member of Angelica Creek Watershed Association, Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards, League of Women Voters and co-chairs the Earth Day Berks Planning Committee. 

Executive Director

Chester County Water Resources Authority

Dr. Byun joined the Chester County Water Resources Authority (CCWRA) as the Executive Director in 2020. She has more than 25 years of experience in water resources management, having worked at nonprofits, government agencies, academia, and private consulting. Prior to her role with CCFWRA, Dr. Byun served as a water resource engineer with the Delaware River Basin Commission and the Senior Planner for Water Resources with the Brandywine Conservancy. She also worked at CDM Smith, Inc., an engineering and construction firm, where she contributed to the development of watershed management plans, conducted source water assessments, and analyzed wastewater collection systems. Dr. Byun received her Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, her Master's degree in Environmental Engineering from Drexel University, and her PhD from the University of Pennsylvania in City and Regional Planning, with a focus on environmental planning and urban design.  She has also served as an adjunct instructor at the University of Pennsylvania, Weitzman School of Design.

 Camden Program Director

Trust for Public Land

As Trust for Public Land’s Camden Program Director, Justin Dennis is a regional leader in park strategy, works with community partners to enhance stewardship capacity, oversees Community Schoolyard development, convenes partners to support equitable implementation of Camden’s Parks and Open Space Plan, and supports Camden City in developing and implementing climate resiliency, natural resource, and public space equity strategies. Justin serves as the NJ Chair for the Circuit Trails Network, Greater Philadelphia’s in-progress 800-mile trail network, is a member of the Delaware River Watershed Conservation Collaborative Steering Committee, and is a board member of Justice Outside.

Chairman of the Board

Caln Township Parks and Recreation

Secretary of the Board

Pennsylvania State Police Camp Cadet

Fundraising Committee Chair

Old Caln Historical Society Board of Directors

After retiring the summer of 2019 from a 31 1/2 year career as a Police Communications Operator with the Pennsylvania State Police, Helen, determined to remain involved with the Pennsylvania State Police Camp Cadet program joined the Board of Directors. 

She rejoined the Environmental/Outdoor Education Staff at CCWA/Paradise Farm Camps in Downingtown, working part-time with  4th - 7th grade students on school sponsored field trips. 

She attended events sponsored by Caln Twp Parks and Recreation, along with joining the Old Caln Historical Society. Eventually she was invited to join Parks and Rec as a volunteer member of the Board where she planned and participated in projects such as  Clean Up Days, Tree Planting,  and Maintenance of the Community Pollinator Garden. 

Following an overlap with the Old Caln Historical Society was discovered, she was asked to help with their Community Flea Market Fundraiser acting as Vendor Liaison and Tour Guide at the Old Caln Meeting House/ OCHS Museum during their First Sunday Open Houses.

Engagement and Schuylkill Action Network Coordinator

Partnership for the Delaware Estuary

Kaitie Evers is PDE’s Engagement and SAN Coordinator. In this role, she assists with programs related to the Schuylkill Action Network and Delaware River Watershed Initiative, among other regional collaborative initiatives at the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary to further clean water, healthy habitats, and strong communities.

Science Coordinator

Partnership for the Delaware Estuary

Kelly Faller is a Science Coordinator at PDE. Her main role is to assist with the design, development, and implementation of tasks and initiatives related to PDE's scientific projects and programs (i.e., wetlands, restoration, and shellfish). 

Prior to joining PDE, Faller earned her Bachelor's degree in Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources from Rutger's University in 2021. There, she completed a George H. Cook honors thesis studying how invasive forest vegetation impacts bat foraging ecology. Later, she worked as a North Pacific Groundfish Observer in Alaska. 

In her free time, Kelly enjoys hiking in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, birding, and traveling to the colder parts of the world. 

Program Director

Berks Nature

Michael joined the staff of Berks Nature in August of 2015. He has volunteered for many environmental organizations and is a board member of several more. 

During the summer of 2013, while working on his Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science/Biology at Kutztown University, Michael was an intern for the stormwater initiative. While at Kutztown, he spent a lot of his time at involved in extracurricular activities. He was the vice-president of the Kutztown University Environmental Action Club, research assistant, teacher’s assistant, tutor, and did independent research. 

Michael has experience in management, photography, citizen education at the Department of Agriculture, laboratory work, and concentrated on limnology (water ecology) at school. He lives in Sinking Spring with his son Michael Jr.

Professor

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Department at Drexel University

Dr. Gurian is the Environmental Engineering Program Head in the Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Department at Drexel. His research interests include risk analysis of environmental and infrastructure systems, water quality, environmental standards setting, Bayesian statistical modeling, climate change adaptation in urban areas, community outreach and environmental health.

Watershed Coordinator

Berks County Conservation District

Kent Himelright has been the Watershed Coordinator at Berks County Conservation District since 2016. He also serves as the Co-Chair of the Schuylkill Action Network Agricultural Workgroup and Berks County Source Water Protection Program. He attended Pennsylvania State University, studying Wildlife and Fisheries Science. He is native to the Susquehanna River Basin but has called the Schuylkill Watershed his home for the last decade with his wife, two boys, and baby girl.

Water Resource Planner

Chester County Water Resources Authority

Kate is a dedicated water resources professional with experience working at local and regional scales to advance clean water goals that support thriving communities. Prior to hoining the Chester County Water Resources Authority (CCWRA) in 2022, she worked for the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, where she served as Assistant Director of Engagement. Kate also worked for the Watershed Institute in New Jersey, where she oversaw the provision of technical and financial services to local groups. She has a Master's degree in Water Science and Policy from the University of Delaware and is a strong advocate of holistic, watershed-level protection. 

PhD Student

Luleå University of Technology, Sweden

Suna Ekin Kali is pursuing her PhD in the Urban Water Engineering Group at the Luleå University of Technology in Sweden. Her research aims to understand the potential impacts of stormwater runoff on receiving water bodies, with a focus on various compound families. Her studies cover both conventional pollutants, such as metals and PAHs, and emerging contaminants, including PFAS and microplastics. Suna earned her Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering from Dokuz Eylul University in Turkey. She further obtained her Master's in Environmental Engineering from Drexel University, where she specialized in environmental modeling and water resources management.

Southeastern Regional Watershed Forestry Specialist

PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry, Rural & Community Forestry Section

Alyssa hails from Dillsburg, PA. She has spent the last 2 and half years with the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources working in Southeast PA on riparian buffer and lawn conversion projects.

In the Spring of 2020, Alyssa graduated from McDaniel College with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, with a focus on Biology, Policy, and Management. In school, she traveled to Peru, Canada, Connecticut, and Montana for various study abroad and internship opportunities. 

Prior to her work with the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Alyssa worked at the York County Conservation District, where she focused on forestry and water quality projects.  

Principal Landscape Architect

NV5

Rosa leads NV5 Philadelphia’s landscape architecture practice. The studio is a multi-disciplined design practice at the forefront of design and engineering in the region, specializing in public parks, multimodal trails, greenways, green stormwater infrastructure, schoolyards, and riverfront design. Rosa has led a wide range of design projects, inclusive of schoolyard transformations, urban riverfront parks, living shoreline projects, and kayak launches. Rosa served on the advisory committee for the Camden Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines (WEDG) and volunteers with Design Philadelphia to teach school age children about landscape architecture and design.

Director of Environmental Planning

Lehigh Valley Planning Commission

Susan Myerov, AICP, recently joined the staff of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVCP) as its Director of Environmental Planning. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the planning, development, and administration of its environmental programs. The LVPC is the official planning commission for Pennsylvania's Lehigh and Northampton Counties.

Prior to this position, Susan served for over 10 years as Watersheds Program Director for the Pennsulvania Environmental Council, leading PEC's watershed and water resource management programs. Susan is the vice chair of the Abington Township Environmental Advisory Council, and served for over 17 years on the Board of Directors of the Tookany-Tacony/Frankford Watershed Partnership. 

Education Lead

Pennsylvania Sea Grant

Michelle Niedermeier joined Pennsylvania Sea Grant in July 2021 as education lead. She is responsible for funding, planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating youth and adult educational programs with a focus on ocean, river, and Great Lakes literacy; civic action and stewardship; coastal resilience and resources; and watershed and environmental sustainability topics across Pennsylvania. Additionally, she builds partnerships and nurtures relationships with educators, state and local agency staff, workforce development specialists, industry, researchers, and the other experts to provide lifelong formal and informal educational opportunities for the Commonwealth’s diverse coastal communities from the Great Lakes to the Mid-Atlantic regions.

Prior to joining Pennsylvania Sea Grant, Michelle was the Program Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Integrated Pest Management Program in the Department of Entomology at Penn State University where she worked with schools and childcares, community groups, agencies, and organizations to build partnerships and provide education and engagement for safer pest management practices resulting in healthier homes, families, and communities.

Michelle earned a Bachelor of Education from The University of Toledo, and a Master of Science in Fisheries & Wildlife from Michigan State University.

Associate Professor

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Department at Drexel University

Dr. Mira Olson is an Associate Professor in the Civil, Architectural and Evironmental Engineering Department at Drexel University. The broad focus of her research is on protecting source water quality, including remediation of contaminated ground water, assessing the impact of water resource technologies and policies on source water supply and quality, and the fate and transport of both chemical and biological agents in the environment. Dr. Olson is a co-founder and Director of Technical Extension of the newly established Peache Engineering program at Drexel.

Environmental Literacy & Sustainability  Content Advisor

Pennsylvania Department of Education

Tamara Peffer, M.S., is the Environmental Literacy & Sustainability  Content Advisor for the Pennsylvania Department of Education and Advisory Council for Environmental Education Executive Director. Tamara began her EE career in 1994, at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center.  She also served as the first Communications Liaison for the PA Bureau of State Parks from 2012-19. Concurrently, Tamara taught Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Biology, and Social Science and Technology at the Reading Area Community College as an adjunct faculty member.  Tamara holds an M.S. in the Science of Instruction from Drexel University and PA teaching certifications in Environmental Education, Biology, General Science, and Instructional Technology. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Learning Sciences and Technology at Lehigh University.

Landscape Architect

NV5

Erin is a landscape architect in NV5’s Philadelphia office. She has been integral to the research and design for many key projects, including the new Delaware River Trail, green stormwater infrastructure projects, schoolyard projects, riverfront parks, living shorelines, and community parks. Her background includes public horticulture, sustainability, and geographic information systems (GIS). While completing her master’s degree, Erin conducted research on green stormwater infrastructure - from the social benefits it creates for urban residents, to the use of GIS in planning and measure-siting optimization, to a GIS-driven triple bottom line analysis of Philadelphia’s Green City, Clean Waters program.  

Chair Person

North Coventry Open Space Review Board

Edie Shean-Hammond has worked in heritage conservation for more than 45 years.  

From 1975 until her retirement in 2015, she worked for the National Park Service. Today she continues to serve as Superintendent Emeritus consulting on projects and promoting special events. serves on the Board of Directors of French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust. In 2015 North Coventry Township appointed her to their Open Space Review Board and in 2021, she was elected Chair.  

Committed to inclusion and diversity, she serves as President of the Centro Cultural Latinos Unidos and on several other local non-profit boards and committees.

Environment & Ecology Content Advisor

Pennsylvania Department of Education

Coming Soon

Watershed Specialist

Montgomery County Conservation District

Brian Vadino is a Watershed Specialist with the Montgomery County Conservation District. He has worked in partnership with Watershed organizations, municipalities, and other entities. Brian works within Montgomery County and throughout the region on planning, design, permitting, funding, implementation, monitoring, and maintenance activities associated conservation efforts. 

Prior to his current position, Brian worked as a Watershed Specialist with the Delaware County Conservation District, Director of Rivers Program with Wildlands Conservancy, and Eastern Area Habitat Management Assistant with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. 

Brian earned his Bachelor's degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from Penn State University in 1997. In 2015, Brian received the Environmental Leadership Award from the Chester-Ridley-Crum Watersheds Association for “his work with nonprofits, municipalities, landowners and others to promote watershed health and conservation practices.”

Watershed Specialist

Delaware County Conservation District

Karen is a Delaware County native and has been the Watershed Specialist at the Delaware County Conservation District since 2018. She earned her Bachelor's in Environmental, Geographical, & Geological Sciences with a focus on Geography and Planning from Bloomsburg University. 

Karen’s experience in urban and suburban resource conservation combined with an understanding of environmental planning principles has enabled her to identify and address resource concerns in Delaware County. Through collaborative efforts with government agencies, volunteer groups, municipalities, and landowners, Karen has planned, designed, and implemented best management practices for the improvement of water quality in the Delaware River Basin.