MJRT Annual watershed conferenceDegradation, Restoration and Where We Go From Here? Speakers will cover the recovery of the James River from one of the most polluted rivers in America to a thriving recreational, commercial and cultural resource. Date: September 18, 2020 Time: 1:00pm EST to 4:30pm EST Registration is free! |
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Speaker Bios
Speaker Biographies
Keynote Speaker: Ralph Hambrick, Professor Emeritus – Virginia Commonwealth University
Ralph Hambrick is a member and former chair of the Falls of the James Scenic River Advisory Committee and a member and former co-chair of the James River Advisory Council. He earned a B.A. from Dartmouth College, a PhD from Syracuse University, and is Professor Emeritus in public policy and administration at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a former whitewater canoe instructor, raft guide, and an all-around river enjoyer. He is the author of Transforming the James River in Richmond (The History Press, 2020).
Matthew Balazik, Research Ecologist - U.S. Army Engineer Research Development Center
Matt Balazik is a Research Ecologist in the Wetlands and Coastal Ecology Branch, Environmental Laboratory, of the U.S. Army Engineer Research Development Center (ERDC). For over two decades, he has researched how aspects of the environment and human activity effect aquatic organisms. His current major research area is providing an understanding if/how dredging impacts the environment with an emphasis on critical habitat and endangered species. Matt grew up in rural Prince George, Virginia, which is where he still conducts a lot of research with his wife, Thiwa. Click here to see a pdf of Matt's presentation.
Amber Ellis, Senior Watershed Restoration Manager – James River Association
Amber Ellis is the Senior Watershed Restoration Manager with the James River Association (JRA). She earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Virginia Tech, is a Professional Landscape Architect in Virginia, a Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional, and has a certificate in Ecotherapy through the EarthBody Institute. From riparian buffers, to stormwater, to living shorelines; building diverse partnerships to get more projects on the ground is at the heart of her work in the James River watershed.
William H. Street, Chief Executive Officer – James River Association
William H. Street is the Chief Executive Officer for the James River Association (JRA) with offices in Richmond, Lynchburg and Williamsburg and programs throughout the ten thousand square mile James River drainage basin. Mr. Street is responsible for overseeing all of JRA’s efforts to protect the James River and connect people to it. Mr. Street guides and directs all of JRA’s program areas: Awareness, Appreciation, Action, Advocacy, Assets and Administration. Mr. Street has received a Master of Environmental Management with a concentration in wetland ecology from Duke University and a Master of Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia. He also has received a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the University of Virginia.
Lorne Field, Environmental Outreach Coordinator - Chesterfield County Department of Environmental Engineering
Lorne Field is the Environmental Outreach Coordinator for the Chesterfield County Department of Environmental Engineering. He is the Chairperson of the Middle James Roundtable and a member the James River Advisory Council. He is the former Chairperson of the Creation Care Task Force of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a B.A. in History and has a background in archaeology and environmental education. He is an avid history
Keynote Speaker: Ralph Hambrick, Professor Emeritus – Virginia Commonwealth University
Ralph Hambrick is a member and former chair of the Falls of the James Scenic River Advisory Committee and a member and former co-chair of the James River Advisory Council. He earned a B.A. from Dartmouth College, a PhD from Syracuse University, and is Professor Emeritus in public policy and administration at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a former whitewater canoe instructor, raft guide, and an all-around river enjoyer. He is the author of Transforming the James River in Richmond (The History Press, 2020).
Matthew Balazik, Research Ecologist - U.S. Army Engineer Research Development Center
Matt Balazik is a Research Ecologist in the Wetlands and Coastal Ecology Branch, Environmental Laboratory, of the U.S. Army Engineer Research Development Center (ERDC). For over two decades, he has researched how aspects of the environment and human activity effect aquatic organisms. His current major research area is providing an understanding if/how dredging impacts the environment with an emphasis on critical habitat and endangered species. Matt grew up in rural Prince George, Virginia, which is where he still conducts a lot of research with his wife, Thiwa. Click here to see a pdf of Matt's presentation.
Amber Ellis, Senior Watershed Restoration Manager – James River Association
Amber Ellis is the Senior Watershed Restoration Manager with the James River Association (JRA). She earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Virginia Tech, is a Professional Landscape Architect in Virginia, a Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional, and has a certificate in Ecotherapy through the EarthBody Institute. From riparian buffers, to stormwater, to living shorelines; building diverse partnerships to get more projects on the ground is at the heart of her work in the James River watershed.
William H. Street, Chief Executive Officer – James River Association
William H. Street is the Chief Executive Officer for the James River Association (JRA) with offices in Richmond, Lynchburg and Williamsburg and programs throughout the ten thousand square mile James River drainage basin. Mr. Street is responsible for overseeing all of JRA’s efforts to protect the James River and connect people to it. Mr. Street guides and directs all of JRA’s program areas: Awareness, Appreciation, Action, Advocacy, Assets and Administration. Mr. Street has received a Master of Environmental Management with a concentration in wetland ecology from Duke University and a Master of Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia. He also has received a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the University of Virginia.
Lorne Field, Environmental Outreach Coordinator - Chesterfield County Department of Environmental Engineering
Lorne Field is the Environmental Outreach Coordinator for the Chesterfield County Department of Environmental Engineering. He is the Chairperson of the Middle James Roundtable and a member the James River Advisory Council. He is the former Chairperson of the Creation Care Task Force of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a B.A. in History and has a background in archaeology and environmental education. He is an avid history