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sfarrington at ctriver.org She/Her 603-703-5657 < Back Stefanie Farrington Aquatic Ecology Program Associate Stefanie is passionate about aquatic conservation and endangered species protection, with an emphasis on freshwater mussels. A major focus of her career has been creating tangible outcomes to guide restoration and management decision-making, while also providing transparency to the public and improving efficiency without sacrificing data quality. She received her M.S. and B.A. from Clark University, where she studied the population genetics of freshwater pearl mussels in central and western Massachusetts. Stefanie has held several roles with non-profit, municipal, state, and federal agencies focused on the conservation of rare wildlife and wetlands protection in Massachusetts and the northeast United States. She received her PhD from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2026, where she was part of the Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and a Pathways Trainee with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. At UMass, Stefanie worked on several applied research projects developed in partnership with key stakeholders including conservation organizations, government agencies, natural resource professionals, and policymakers. These projects included benthic mesohabitat mapping and characterization for species distribution modelling in large rivers, field- and laboratory-based ecological mussel-host fish assessments, and a range-wide synthesis of conservation and management needs for the yellow lampmussel. When not in the lab or the river, Stefanie enjoys playing board games, doing all kinds of crafts, and spending time outdoors. sfarrington at ctriver.org Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

Staff at Connecticut River Conservancy CRC Staff We are very fortunate to have a talented staff stewarding CRC's work. Meet the people behind the mission. Executive Director Rebecca Todd She/Her, rtodd at ctriver.org, (413) 834-9457 For over 30 years Rebecca has advised organizations, individuals, and businesses in matters related to environmental, educational, contractual, employment, and non-profit management. Prior to joining Connecticut River Conservancy in October 2023, Rebecca served as General Counsel for Antioch University, as Associate Attorney General in the Office of the Attorney General in Washington in the Education and Ecology divisions, and litigated cases for the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund, Inc. (now Earthjustice) and the Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. related to the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and hazardous waste laws. Rebecca also teaches environmental law, legal advocacy, and other subjects nationally and internationally. In addition to these professional accomplishments, Rebecca grew up in the Connecticut River watershed, has raised a family while stewarding farmland along the river in New Hampshire, and is cultivating a new passion for the sport of rowing. Staff Members Alphabetical by first name Alix Kaplan Content Coordinator akaplan at ctriver.org 413-834-7953 They/Them Read More Angela Chaffee Grant Strategist & Writer achaffee at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 204 She/Her Read More Charles Soucy Stormwater Project Manager csoucy at ctriver.org 802-490-9701 He/Him Read More Donna "Lucky" Riggs Finance Assistant driggs at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 She/Her Read More Kathy Urffer Director of Policy and Advocacy kurffer at ctriver.org 802-258-0413 She/Her Read More Lauren Zielinski Stream Restoration Specialist lzielinski at ctriver.org 603 325-7022 She/Her Read More Mary McCaughey Development Coordinator mmccaughey at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 She/Her Read More Nina Gordon-Kirsch River Steward in Massachusetts ngordonkirsch at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 216 She/Her Read More Sam Stegeman Operations Manager sstegeman at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 200 He/Him Read More Susan Heitker Chief Development Officer sheitker at ctriver.org 413-490-9197 She/Her Read More Amanda Major Outreach & Events Coordinator amajor at ctriver.org 413-253-6855 She/They Read More Ansel Appleton Staff Accountant aappleton at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 201 He/Him Read More Chris Riffenburg Director of Finance criffenburg at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 202 He/Him Read More Fritz Gerhardt Conservation Scientist fgerhardt at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 219 He/Him Read More Kelly Beerman AIS Program Manager kbeerman at ctriver.org 802-318-1390 She/Her Read More Mallory Strider Assistant Director of Finance mstrider at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 201 She/Her Read More Melissa Langley Water Quality Program Manager mlangley at ctriver.org 413-450-8739 She/Her Read More Rebecca Budd Restoration Program Manager rbudd at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 222 She/Her Read More Stacey Lennard Events Manager & Source to Sea Cleanup Coordinator slennard at ctriver.org 413-325-5995 She/Her Read More Amara Cunningham Executive Assistant acunningham at ctriver.org 413-450-8785 She/Her Read More Bay Holmes AmeriCorps Member bholmes at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 She/They Read More Diana Chaplin Director of Communications dchaplin at ctriver.org 413-834-0079 She/Her Read More Kate Buckman Aquatic Ecologist kbuckman at ctriver.org 603-931-2448 She/Her Read More Laura Herbert Staff Accountant lherbert at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 She/Her Read More Marilla Harris-Vincent River Steward in New Hampshire mharrisvincent at ctriver.org 603-503-0419 She/Her Read More Nicole Reigle Assistant Director of Development nreigle at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 221 She/Her Read More Ron Rhodes Director of Programs rrhodes at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 214 He/Him Read More Stefanie Farrington Aquatic Ecology Program Associate sfarrington at ctriver.org She/Her 603-703-5657 Read More Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

Board of Trustees at Connecticut River Conservancy Board of Trustees We are continually rewarded by the generous gifts of time and skill from members of the CRC Board of Trustees. All are seasoned experts in fields ranging from the environment and education, to legal, corporate business, and finance. The dedicated folks on our Board offer us the know-how and long-range thinking that helps keep CRC moving in the right direction. We cannot thank them enough. Board Members are listed in alphabetical by first name order. Bob Sproull Trustee Computer scientist, rower, and experienced conservationist and board manager. Read More David Deen Trustee Former CRC River Steward + 30 years as a VT legislator advocating for river protections. Read More Leslie Harris Trustee, Board Chair Nonprofit administrator for 25+ years, orchard manager, and outdoor enthusiast. Read More Stephen Gephard Trustee, Vice Chair Fisheries biologist and consultant, formerly with CTDEEP for 42 years. Read More Candace Damon Trustee Creates sustainable urban redevelopment strategies in cities across North America. Read More Geoffrey Habron Trustee Former professor of Fisheries/Wildlife; current focus on equitable climate resilience. Read More Lucas McDiarmid Trustee Legislative staffer and firefighter dedicated to agriculture, public safety, and clean water. Read More Tim Lewis Trustee, Secretary Avid paddler and conservationist retired after a career in manufacturing. Read More Christine Palm Trustee State Rep. in CT and legislative champion for the environment & working families. Read More Janki Darity Trustee 15+ years of experience in regulatory compliance and ethical responsibility. Read More Michael Simpson Trustee Environmental Scientist & Professor Emeritus at Antioch University New England. Read More Tony Judge Trustee Former broadcasting executive and radio, television, & film producer, and wildlife nonprofit board vice-chair. Read More Honorary Trustees Raul de Brigard Land Use Consultant Higganum, CT Ed Gray Author Lyme, NH Susan Merrow Environmental Lobbyist East Haddam, CT Jim Okun Principal, O'Reilly, Talbot, and Okun Ellington, CT Ronald Poltak Retired, Executive Director, NEIWPCC Auburn, NH John Sinton Retired, Professor of Geography, Land-Use and Environmental Planning, Human Ecology Florence, MA Annette Spaulding Retired, Spaulding & Harris Tax Service Bellows Falls, VT Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

Aerial view of Jacobs Brook project area after large wood installation and riverbank terracing (but before buffer planting). [Press Release] The Connecticut River Conservancy's (CRC) work to reduce erosion and restore floodplains continues this fall with several implementation projects in New Hampshire thanks to funding from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. After several years of completing the necessary engineering design and permitting work, construction has begun for a biostabilization project on Jacobs Brook in Orford, NH. CRC hired a local engineer and contractor who specialize in this style of stream restoration work to design and implement the project. The effort will install large wood (the roots and bottom 20' of large trees) along the river’s edge and lower and terrace the riverbank behind the root wads. The root wads and terraces serve to slow the brook’s flow during storm events and give floodwaters more room to spread out.   A 50’ wide riparian buffer will be planted with native trees and shrubs after the root wads are secured and construction is completed. These roots help hold the soil in place and trap sediment, flood debris, and ice for years to come. The native vegetation will also help to cool river temperatures and provide riparian habitat.   During severe flooding in July 2017, many roadways and riverbanks along Jacobs Brook were damaged. Over the next several years, while roadway and bridge repair and improvement projects were completed, the destabilized streambanks have continually eroded. Property owner Shawn Washburn observed worsening impacts to the habitat in the stream with each passing storm as over 30 lateral feet of farmland were lost—land that had been in his family for seven generations. Without intervention, these streambanks would only continue to erode further.   Unsure of where to turn, Shawn reached out to NRCS for help, who connected him with the restoration team at CRC. CRC was able to help by applying for funds, obtaining the engineering design and permits, and coordinating the construction.   Lauren Zielinski, CRC's Stream Restoration Specialist, has been leading the project.   "CRC, NRCS, and the landowner have been in the planning phase of this project for the past two years and we are excited to finally break ground. This will have lasting benefits to the Jacobs Brook watershed and improve critical coldwater habitat in the region."     The goal of this project is to fix the severe erosion and use natural materials (rootwads and native vegetation) to dissipate the river’s energy, thereby reducing the potential for future erosion. An added benefit is that these natural materials also improve instream and riparian habitats. Once completed, this effort will have multiple benefits, including:   Lowering sediment and nitrogen inputs into Jacobs Brook, thereby improving water quality and brook trout habitat; Increasing the amount of native vegetation on and around the streambank, providing long-term stabilization and increasing habitat for fish, birds, insects, and other wildlife; and Preserving historic farmland in the Connecticut River Valley.   “I’ve been so impressed by the organization and professionalism of everyone involved. I’m very thankful that so many people came together on a project that will help the community, improve the habitat in the brook, and protect our 7th generation family farm here in Orford,”  said Shawn Washburn. “Without CRC and NRCS, we wouldn’t be able to do this.”   This project was funded by the NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation’s Upper Connecticut River Mitigation and Enhancement Fund. Start of river restoration work on Jacobs Brook in Orford, NH. Left photo: A close up of a rootwads before being placed into the ground. A rootwad is a tree that has been removed from the ground with the roots still attached, limbs removed, and the trunk trimmed to 20-25 feet long. Right photo: Rootwads after they have been installed along the streambank. This project will use about 20 rootwads to protect 170' feet of eroding bank. This is just one of several that CRC and partners are implementing in New Hampshire, with additional projects recently completed or in the works in Walpole, Piermont, and Pittsburg. Over the years, CRC has implemented nearly two dozen of these large wood restoration projects throughout the Connecticut River watershed in NH, VT, MA, and CT. March 2026 update : Spring runoff and we're seeing the intended result. The rootwads are deflecting the fast flows towards the center of the stream while slowing down the flows between the rootwads and the streambank to prevent erosion. Learn more about Connecticut River Conservancy's restoration projects here .   For questions about this announcement:   Lauren Zielinski Stream Restoration Specialist Connecticut River Conservancy (603) 325-7022 | lzielinski@ctriver.org Ron Rhodes Director of Programs Connecticut River Conservancy (413) 768-4994 | Rrhodes@ctriver.org

Fish passage is a critical component of river health and resilience. Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) hosted a webinar exploring fish passage on the Connecticut River. Speakers dug deep into the importance of fish passage in our watershed, the intricacies of proper design, and what it takes to get it right. This webinar discusses how effective design restores migratory pathways and meets evolving regulatory requirements. Speakers included: Ken Sprankle , United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Restoration Coordinator for the Connecticut River Migratory Fish Restoration Cooperative Jesus Morales , USFWS Hydraulic Engineer for Fish Passage Engineering Kate Buckman , CRC Aquatic Ecologist Recorded 3/18/2026 _____________________ About Live Stream : CRC brings your rivers to you! Join CRC staff and partners for a series of live lunchtime presentations, on select Wednesdays from Noon-1pm. You get to learn more about the rivers you love, ask questions, and interact with a river-loving community all from the comfort and safety of your home (or wherever you may be). Live Stream will be hosted via Zoom. Please register for each presentation to receive meeting information. Find out more about upcoming events at ctriver.org/events

Winters in the Connecticut River watershed are evolving as our climate continues to change. Join the Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) and guest speakers Matt Devine (CT DEEP) and Jamie Shanley (USGS) for this hour-long Live Stream  webinar, “Understanding our Winter Watershed.”  During this Live Stream , we take a deeper look below our winter river’s surface and at our watershed’s holistic dynamics. We learn about the shifts in our river's ecology throughout the colder winter months. We get curious about how a changing climate leads to a changing snowpack and this impact on the watershed. Finally, CRC's Lab and Monitoring Coordinator, Melissa Langley , helps us anchor into CRC water quality and chloride monitoring program efforts. Whether you’re a paddler, angler, scientist, student, winter lover, or simply curious about the natural world, this LiveStream webinar offers a fresh look at winter as an active and essential season for our rivers that can also tell us a lot about change.  Resources:   USGS Sleepers River Research Watershed   USGS Gauges and Water Data (Find more targeted Sleepers River & Connecticut River gauge links at the end of the email)  CT DEEP Habitat Conservation Enhancement   CT DEEP Fishing   CRC Is It Clean? Water Quality Data     Chloride Monitoring & Road Salt Information:   Salt Watch   Salt Watch’s Guide to Salting    CRC Chloride Monitoring Signup   2026 Vermont Environment Common Agenda   New Hampshire’s Green SnowPro Certification   Connecticut’s Green SnowPro Certification     Stay Connected:   SIGN UP for our eNewsletter. You can select the news you want to hear about – volunteering, hydropower, the Source to Sea Cleanup, or river news by state.  ATTEND our next LiveStream or an upcoming event.  VISIT the CRC website for all your river news and info.  SUPPORT   CRC’s efforts to monitor, cleanup, advocate, educate, and restore the health of our rivers.  Recorded on 2/25/2026 _____________________ About Live Stream :  CRC brings your rivers to you! Join CRC staff and partners for a series of live lunchtime presentations, on select Wednesdays from Noon-1pm. You get to learn more about the rivers you love, ask questions, and interact with a river-loving community all from the comfort and safety of your home (or wherever you may be). Live Stream  will be hosted via Zoom. Please register for each presentation to receive meeting information.    See past, present and future events in our Live Stream  playlist  on YouTube. Check out CRC's Events Calendar  to learn about other upcoming events.  Please contact Amanda Major, Outreach & Events Coordinator, at amajor [at] ctriver [dot] org at CRC if you have any follow up questions.