Kate supports a number of HRWC programs including benthic macroinvertebrate monitoring, K-12 environmental education, and the Natural Areas Assessment Program. She has experience working on ecological research and monitoring initiatives across the country, from southern Utah to northern Michigan. Kate earned her Master of Science in Ecosystem Science and Management from the University of Michigan, where she specialized in the cycling of nutrients in river systems and general watershed health. She joined HRWC in 2020 and lives near the Huron River in Ann Arbor.

TSN Conference 2026

January 22nd, 2026 (Thursday) // 3:05 pm – 4:05 pm // Room 106 // Beaver-Human Coexistence: Dam Worth It! // Beaver are ecosystem engineers that alter the physical structure of riparian ecosystems and create new wetland habitats. Humans and other species benefit from the many ecosystem services beaver and their wetlands provide, including increases in biodiversity, water quality, carbon sequestration, and fire and drought resistance. Historically extirpated from Lower Michigan, beaver are now returning and bringing their many ecological benefits with them. However, beaver alteration of the landscape can cause conflict with human infrastructure and land use. Our project seeks to address these conflicts by providing science-based coexistence strategies. We utilized the Beaver Restoration Assessment Tool to predict where beavers are likely to colonize, performed a policy analysis to assess current beaver regulations, and engaged with land managers and property owners to understand current challenges and provide recommendations for coexistence strategies.