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The Nature Conservancy, US Geological Survey Partner to Advance the Study of Environmental Flows ScienceChristopher Konrad has been appointed to manage an Interagency Personnel Agreement between The Nature Conservancy and the US Geological SurveyArlington, VA— June 1, 2007— The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently appointed Christopher Konrad, Ph.D., to work collaboratively with The Nature Conservancy to advance environmental water flow science. Konrad’s appointment is part of an Interagency Personnel Agreement between the two agencies to promote the sustainable management of freshwater ecosystems throughout the United States and beyond. A graduate of the University of Washington and Stanford University with degrees in biological sciences and civil and environmental engineering, Konrad has extensive knowledge of environmental flow science through both research and practical application. Prior to beginning work with the USGS in 2001, Konrad worked as a research scientist at the University of Washington and an environmental consultant in the private sector. “Konrad’s expertise and practical experience will benefit both the USGS and The Nature Conservancy’s freshwater science programs, enhancing our abilities to ensure the sustainable management of healthy rivers, lakes and streams for generations to come,” said Brian Richter, director of The Nature Conservancy’s Sustainable Waters Program. Among Konrad’s first duties will be to establish the River Science Network – a multi-partner team to study the science and methods necessary to define and implement environmental water flow recommendations. Environmental flow recommendations are science-based plans that define the amount of water needed during a given timeframe to sustain an ecologically healthy river system, which still providing services such as power generation, municipal and agricultural water supply, navigation, and flood control. Working out of The Nature Conservancy’s Seattle, Washington, office, Konrad will facilitate the sharing of information, ideas, scientific methods and tools among scientists at The Nature Conservancy and the USGS. "The USGS looks forward to this opportunity to work with The Nature Conservancy in advancing the science of environmental flows so that the best available science can be used to protect aquatic ecosystems and the many other uses of our Nation's rivers," said Dr. Robert Hirsch, USGS associate director of water. Konrad will also support Nature Conservancy staff in the on-going Sustainable Rivers Project, a national partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to revise dam operations on rivers throughout the United States to protect and restore freshwater ecosystems. Currently, the project encompasses nine river systems. “The strength of our partnership is not just a matter of our shared interest,” said Konrad. “Indeed, it is that each organization has different strengths, and these strengths complement each other and can help each organization move forward with its mission.” Initially, Konrad’s appointment, according to the terms of the Interagency Personnel Agreement, will be for two years. Both organizations will share the costs associated with the position.
The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 15 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 102 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. |
