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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 Caitlin Maguire NH Restoration Project Manager cmaguire at ctriver.org 603-703-5192 She/Her 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 413-325-3737 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 603-703-5657 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 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 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 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 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

nreigle at ctriver.org 413-325-3737 She/Her < Back Nicole Reigle Assistant Director of Development Nicole build systems that make donors feel valued and organizations run smarter. Across ten years in nonprofit development–spanning conservation, international healthy equity, and higher education–the throughline has been the same: creating and implementing stewardship programs and operational infrastructure that that makes every donor feel seen. As Assistant Director of Development at CRC, she leads gift acknowledgement and stewardship programs, manages CRM strategy and data, and oversees corporate sponsorship operations. Nicole holds a BA in English from UMass Amherst and volunteers on the Patient and Family Advisory Council at Baystate Medical Center. nreigle at ctriver.org 413-325-3737 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

kbuckman at ctriver.org 603-931-2448 She/Her < Back Kate Buckman Aquatic Ecologist Kate became CRC's Aquatic Ecologist in 2025 after serving as the River Steward for NH since 2022. She spent much of her career prior to joining CRC involved in marine and freshwater research. She received her bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Smith College where she worked on coral reef ecology and education in Belize and her PhD from the MIT/WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography where she focused her thesis research on the ecology of fish at hydrothermal vent systems on the East Pacific Rise. Kate made the short trip north back to her home state of New Hampshire in 2010 and spent many years at Dartmouth College as a member of the Toxic Metals Superfund Research Program studying trophic transfer of mercury and assisting with community science programs in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. When not contemplating how awesome fish are, Kate can often be found puttering in her yard and gardens, hanging out on the porch pondering which house project to tackle next, or walking her wiggly dog around the neighborhood. The Vermont Natural Resources Council conducted an excellent interview with Kate in December, 2025, which you can also read here. kbuckman at ctriver.org 603-931-2448 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

Aquatic invasive plants are reshaping our rivers and waterbodies across the region. In this Live Stream webinar, we explore the Connecticut River’s aquatic invasive plants with a focused look at water chestnut and hydrilla. We discuss how to recognize them, mechanisms that result in their spreading, and the short- and long-term impacts they have on our native ecosystems. We also cover practical ways you can get involved, from adding intention to your own recreational equipment management practices to hand pulling opportunities throughout the watershed. Our lead speaker is Kelly Beerman, the Connecticut River Conservancy’s (CRC) Aquatic Invasive Species Program Manager. Kelly is responsible for directing, coordinating, and executing CRC’s work regarding hydrilla, water chestnut, and all aquatic invasives throughout the Connecticut River watershed. This includes current community education & outreach initiatives as well as designing and implementing future projects. We were also joined by Toni Stewart and Jim Straub from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Lakes and Ponds Program . Recorded on 04/15/2026 _____________________ 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). LiveStream will be hosted via Zoom. Please register for each presentation to receive meeting information.

Film still from Between Moon Tides, one of the films that will will be shown at the Wild & Scenic Film Festival in Bellows Falls, VT on April 30, 2026. A CELEBRATION OF OUR ENVIRONMENT! The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) is excited to once again host the Wild & Scenic Film Festival at the Bellows Falls Opera House on Thursday, April 30 th .   The tour event will feature a range of river-focused environmental films from across the globe, including one made by CRC right here in the Connecticut River watershed. The film selection will cover a range of topics with a common thread of human connection and stewardship of the natural world. These films highlight inspiring stories of resilience, research, and community. In addition to the films, the event will include speakers and raffle prizes. "The Wild and Scenic Film Festival is a great opportunity to reflect on our place in the natural world and dream about the adventures that warmer weather can bring,” says Kathy Urffer, Director of Policy and Advocacy, and Vermont River Steward. “The films inspire you to get out there to connect with life and protect what sustains and nourishes us - our planet." This will be the second year of the Conservancy’s hosting of the Wild and Scenic Film Festival in Bellows Falls, with a turnout of over 100 guests at last year’s event. Similar events occur in other parts of the watershed, but with each organization hosting a unique selection of films—and CRC contributing an original short film this year related to migratory fish research—no two Film Festival events are ever the same.   The Festival is a natural extension of CRC’s work to restore and advocate for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities throughout the region. Attendees will learn about upcoming river restoration projects, and opportunities to get involved with community science, river cleanups, and more. CRC is hosting the Wild & Scenic Film Festival event in hopes that guests will leave with a renewed interest in the natural world just as spring begins to bloom. Local sponsors for the event include the Savings Bank of Walpole, 802 Credit Union, Chroma, Ottauquechee Natural Resources Conservation District, Lawson’s Finest Liquors, Reuter Foundation Repairs, Northern Woodlands Magazine, and many others listed on the event page here. The Connecticut River Conservancy is looking forward to seeing you at the Wild & Scenic Film Festival!    EVENT DETAILS:  Date: Thursday, April 30 th , 2026 Time: Doors open at 6:00pm and films start at 6:30pm  Ticket Prices: $10 for children, $12 for adults, $15 at the door  Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. For more information, visit www.ctriver.org/wild-scenic-films .   About the Connecticut River Conservancy: The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. Through collaborative partnerships in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, CRC leads and supports science-based efforts for natural and life-filled rivers from source to sea. Learn more at  ctriver.org . About the Wild & Scenic Film Festival: The Wild & Scenic Film Festival was started by the watershed advocacy group, the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) in 2003. The festival’s namesake is in celebration of SYRCL’s landmark victory to receive “Wild & Scenic” status for 39 miles of the South Yuba River in 1999. Proceeds from the flagship festival each year go directly to fostering the science, advocacy, activism and education that are crucial to keeping their river healthy and beautiful. Learn more at wildandscenicfilmfestival.org .

Connecticut River in Northfield, MA In February 2026, the Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) submitted comments to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) on proposed updates to the state’s Surface Water Quality Standards (314 CMR 4.0). These standards are a cornerstone of clean water protections under the federal Clean Water Act and determine how clean rivers, lakes, and coastal waters must be to support uses such as drinking water, swimming, boating, and aquatic life. CRC supports many of MassDEP’s proposed improvements, including stronger recreational protections and the removal of outdated classifications. However, we also recommended several important changes to ensure the standards reflect today’s environmental challenges and provide stronger protection for Massachusetts waters. One key recommendation is to protect water quantity alongside water quality. Low river flows, caused by drought or excessive withdrawals, can concentrate pollution, raise water temperatures, and increase harmful algal blooms. Neighboring states, such as Vermont and Connecticut, already include requirements to maintain adequate flows to protect water quality. CRC urged MassDEP to adopt similar language, apply standards to hydrologic changes such as dams and water withdrawals, and use the most recent thirty years of hydrologic data when determining low-flow conditions. CRC also called on the state to adopt numeric nutrient criteria for nitrogen and phosphorus. Nutrient pollution fuels algae blooms that degrade lakes, rivers, and estuaries. Massachusetts currently lags behind other New England states in establishing statewide numeric limits. CRC recommends adopting EPA nutrient criteria for lakes and reservoirs now and developing criteria for rivers, streams, and estuaries during the next review cycle. Another priority is establishing water quality standards for PFAS and cyanobacteria. Both are considered toxic pollutants and are growing concerns for public health and aquatic ecosystems. CRC recommended adopting EPA cyanobacteria criteria and developing PFAS standards aligned with federal guidance so that communities have enforceable protections rather than advisories alone. CRC also recommended strengthening bacteria monitoring requirements. MassDEP proposes using a 30-day assessment window for bathing beaches but a 90-day window for other waters. CRC urged the state to apply a consistent 30-day window for all waters, consistent with EPA guidance, to better capture short-term contamination spikes that pose risks to swimmers and boaters. Additional recommendations include strengthening coldwater fisheries protections, clarifying and actively designating Special Resource Waters, and improving public engagement and transparency during the triennial review process. Surface Water Quality Standards determine whether it is safe to swim, whether fish populations thrive, and how resilient our rivers are to climate change. As drought intensifies and emerging contaminants spread, Massachusetts must ensure its standards remain modern, science-based, and protective. CRC remains committed to working with MassDEP, municipalities, and community partners to safeguard clean water for current and future generations. You can read the proposed amendments here !