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Brad Maurer recently joined The Nature Conservancy in Mississippi as stream restoration scientist. In this capacity, Maurer will work with landowners and with partners at state and federal agencies, universities and other non-profit organizations to help improve the health of the state’s rivers. Maurer will also provide technical assistance to other Conservancy offices in the state.

The Conservancy’s work on rivers in Mississippi currently includes the planning and implementation of restoration projects within the Buttahatchie River watershed that are designed to reduce sediment, which can negatively affect water quality. The projects are funded by a grant from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.

“Our goal is to use these stream restoration projects as sites that demonstrate techniques that can be implemented on larger scales,” Maurer said. “Our rivers provide habitat for wildlife and water for a wide array of uses for the citizens of this state. Ensuring healthy rivers in Mississippi is critical.

” Maurer is also involved with the Conservancy’s work at the Red Creek Mitigation Bank in Jackson County, which preserves wetlands habitat and will provide credits to the Mississippi Department of Transportation.

“We are excited to have Brad onboard,” said Jim Murrian, the director of the Conservancy in Mississippi. “His education and experience well suit him for the job. Brad brings with him knowledge that will enable him to conduct studies and implement projects to improve water quality within our rivers.”

Maurer, an environmental engineer and hydrologist, has worked for years as a consultant in a variety of surface water areas, including flood modeling, storm water planning, strip-mine reclamation and stream restoration. He also has worked with the interaction of ground and surface water at landfills. Maurer received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in environmental engineering from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. Maurer spent the last 18 years living in Columbus, Ohio.