MWA is delighted to welcome Ben Applegate to join our team this summer! Ben is currently a master’s student in the University of Vermont’s Field Naturalist Program and will be working with MWA as a part of his degree requirements to complete a master’s research project. Ben has lived in the NEK for the past 25 years, most of his adult life. He met his wife here and has raised two children that are now off pursuing their undergraduate degrees. Ben has long been interested in trees and forests but has recently developed a keen interest in waterways given the intense flooding of the past few years. He is excited to join in watershed conservation efforts to improve our region’s resiliency to future storm events.

Ben brings to MWA a passion for conservation, a deep understanding of natural science disciplines, and the skills to communicate and work on complex environmental challenges. This summer, you might see Ben around our watershed conducting outreach and engaging with local communities on important water quality issues. Ben will also be conducting field assessments of the Clyde River – one of four major rivers in our watershed – which includes assessing river geology, fish habitat, floodplain connectivity, plant and wildlife communities, water quality issues, and recreational opportunities.

Additionally, Ben will be teaming up with MWA project staff, Patrick Hurley and Gabryel Gianoni, on project implementation efforts throughout his internship with us. Ben will gain hands on experience constructing stream and floodplain restoration projects that will include culvert removals and replacements, gully stabilization, beaver dam analogues, engineered log jams, and riparian buffer restoration.

MWA is so pleased to have Ben’s expertise and enthusiasm on staff and to have the opportunity to collaborate with UVM. The UVM Field Naturalist Program provides master’s students with integrated curriculum in topics such as, botany, wildlife, soils, land use history, and geology. Each student is also required to complete a master’s project where the student pairs with a conservation organization and gains hands-on experience, as well as providing real, tangible project results. Learn more about the Field Naturalist Program.

Join us in welcoming Ben!