Laura Kelm

Experience

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  North Carolina Coastal Federation

  May 2007 - Aug 2007

  Coastal Policy Intern

  Researched and analyzed water quality standards for shellfish waters in North Carolina; used fact finding skills to determine potential problems causing local water quality decline; gained experience in the field including collecting water samples and monitoring stream flow; specialized in fecal coliform impairment of shellfish waters; assisted with salt marsh restoration plantings, living shoreline installations, and follow-up monitoring. During my time with NCCF I became very knowledgeable with sections of the Clean Water Act relating to total maximum daily loads (TMDLs). Show less

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  Las Vegas Valley Water District

  Sept 2008 - Aug 2010

  Program Assistant, Youth Education, Springs Preserve

  I created and led approximately 2 family programs per month on various topics related to the Springs Preserve and the natural and cultural history of Southern Nevada. Planning programs included researching topics and potential activities, creating or modifying activities for Southern Nevada, researching and ordering supplies, creating sample projects, and creating activity sheets when needed. Program topics included fossils, water quality, food chains, and nature hikes. Up to 40 individuals were present at each program.During the week, I led school tours for groups up to 50 students plus chaperones of the indoor museum exhibits and outdoor trails and botanical garden. Tours led students through the facility, educating them about exhibits, and leading an engaging activity related to the tour's theme. Students ranged from grades K-12 and frequently included groups of mixed age students. I also trained and supervised volunteers and other staff in leading school tours.In 2009-2010, I worked with representatives from other organizations (museums, universities, Clark County school district, National Park Service, etc.) to facilitate a 3-day regional educator conference. Our Places Tell Stories took place in February 2010 at the Springs Preserve (for conference save the date, visit http://publiclands.unlv.edu/pdf/OPTS2010_SavetheDate.pdf).I also wrote occasional blog posts on ocean-related topics for the company sustainability blog. Blog topics included marine debris and sustainable seafood, and aimed to facilitate an understanding by Southern Nevada residents of the importance of ocean health and it's impact on all of us. Show less

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  Great Swamp Watershed Association

  Apr 2011 - Apr 2016

  Director of Water Quality Programs

  I managed programs related to local water quality in the 55-square mile Great Swamp Watershed including chemical, visual, macroinvertebrate, and E. coli monitoring, as well as stream restoration projects. This included writing and implementing quality assurance project plans, training volunteers to assist with monitoring efforts, purchasing and maintaining needed equipment and supplies, analyzing water quality data, determining locations for new stream restoration projects and monitoring sites, and working with a development team to seek out and apply for new grants and fulfill grant reporting requirements.To educate stakeholders about the findings of GSWA's water quality monitoring programs, I wrote summary reports and articles on data analysis and project results (both technical and non-technical), and gave public presentations on water quality projects. I wrote regular articles for the GSWA newsletter (http://greatswamp.org/what-we-do/publications/newsletters/), blog (http://greatswamp.org/blog/), and presented at state-wide conferences (most recently the NJ Confluence: Volunteer Water Monitoring Summit, Nov 2015).Additionally, I led the School Water Monitoring on the Passaic (SWaMP) program, which engages high school and college classes in monitoring water quality along the Passaic River and its tributaries. During the 2014-2015 school year, around 400 students from 11 schools participated in the program. I worked with participating educators to incorporate the program into curricula, suggesting related activities, assignments using the data, and scheduling field trips to local waste water treatment plants to enhance the students' understanding of water resources.I oversaw approximately 50 volunteers who assist with various water quality monitoring and restoration programs, and recruited and trained new volunteers on an ongoing basis. I regularly worked with other nonprofit, governmental, and private entities to accomplish program goals. Show less

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  KCI Technologies, Inc.

  Sept 2016 - May 2018

  Scientist

  I worked with the Natural Resources Practice on ecological stream restorations. I supported stream restoration projects at all project phases including site assessments, geomorphic stream channel surveys, BANCS assessments, habitat assessments, creating and modifying site maps with ArcGIS, stream restoration design, editing project plans utilizing Microstation, calculating project costs, construction oversight, and writing reports for clients.In addition, I attended spring MBSS training (macroinvertebrates) and assisted the biomonitoring team with macroinvertebrate monitoring and fish electroshocking. Show less

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  GreenVest, LLC

  May 2018 - now

  Project Manager

  I support stream restoration projects through project management including restoration design, construction oversight, post-construction monitoring, data analysis, and writing and reviewing technical reports. Throught all project phases, I work closely with subcontractors, property owners, regulators, and GreenVest staff.For GreenVest's stream restoration projects, I develop post-construction stream monitoring plans based on each project's unique goals and objectives. I oversee implementation of these monitoring plans to document project success and fulfill regulatory requirements. Show less