MA 2007
AP Title: “Riparian Buffers as Watershed Management Strategies: An Examination of Buffer Effectiveness for Policy Implementation”
Chair: Young-Doo Wang; Committee Member: Gerald Kauffman
e-mail: marykate_obrien@yahoo.com
current position:
Program Manager
Appoquinimink River Association
Middletown, Del.
introduction | education | experience | qualifications | honors and awards | presentations
IntroductionKate attended Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa., where she graduated Cum Laude in 2005 with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and English. During her years at Ursinus, she worked on projects concerned with the water quality of local streams. After graduating from Ursinus College, she attended the University of Delaware to receive her master’s degree in Environmental and Energy Policy with a specialization in water resource management and policy.
While at the Institute for Public Administration’s Water Resources Agency at the University of Delaware, Kate worked on projects for the Delaware River Basin Commission’s State of the Basin Report, riparian-buffer projects, and stormwater-management education. Her analytical paper focused on how to better implement riparian-buffer ordinances to better protect natural resources and serve the public.
Kate is now working as a Program Manager with the Appoquinimink River Association. She aids in the supervision of many projects including: riparian-buffer reestablishment, pollution-prevention techniques, and other low-impact-development practices. She also performs public education/outreach on local water-quality and watershed issues by giving classroom and public presentations, and contributing to many monthly articles for a local newspaper and the Association’s newsletters.
EducationMA, University of Delaware 2007, Environmental and Energy Policy, specialization in Water Resource Management and Policy
BA, Ursinus College 2005, Environmental Studies and English (double major)
ExperienceJune 2007 – Present
Program Manager, Appoquinimink River Association
Middletown, Del.
September 2005 – May 2007
Research Assistant, Institute for Public Administration, University of Delaware
Newark, Del.
June 2006 – May 2007
Intern, Appoquinimink River Association
Middletown, Del.
August 2004 – December 2004
Intern, Montgomery County Planning Commission
Norristown, Pa.
August 2002 – May 2005
Writing Tutor, Ursinus College
Collegeville, Pa.
QualificationsMicrosoft Office and GIS software
Honors and AwardsNominated to Sigma Xi, Honor Society for Scientific Research, 2005
Graduated with Cum Laude honors, 2005
Ursinus College Dean’s List, 2001–2005
Presentations“The Appoquinimink River Association: Turning Pollution Control Strategies into Action” Watersheds and Wetlands Workshop, Ocean City, Md., October 28, 2008.
