Joined 2024

Sam works to interpret, evaluate, and expand our scientific understanding of the Clark Fork River. He brings a determination to apply science to conservation challenges, a broad interest in ecology, and a background in water quality, hydrology, and data science. Before joining the CFC, Sam was an Assistant Research Professor at Montana State University, where he worked on investigations of landscape-scale patterns of stream temperature and stream metabolism, examinations of the relationship between streamflow and water quality, and efforts to develop accessible resources for sharing ecological insights and data. He holds a Ph.D. in Ecology and Environmental Science from Montana State University. Outside of work, Sam can most likely be found in a canoe or on a bicycle.

Joined 2024

Brian has dedicated his career to the health and wellbeing of rivers and river communities worldwide. Prior to joining CFC, Brian was a professor of water policy in the W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation at the University of Montana. His teaching and research projects focused heavily on the Clark Fork River watershed, guiding students through explorations of the challenges of managing water supplies in a changing climate and amid shifting social values. Prior to university service, Brian worked as a wilderness river guide, a river ranger for the U.S. Forest Service, and a research fellow at the U.S. EPA. He and his wife Jenni also founded a non-profit dedicated to supporting the health and strength of the professional outdoor guiding community. Brian holds a Ph.D. from Oregon State University where he studied water resources geography and gained skills in water conflict management and transformation. Since arriving in Montana, Brian has leveraged his training to support Clark Fork River communities in pursuit of win-win projects that both protect water quality and support basin livelihoods. Brian and Jenni live in Missoula with a pack of mischievous dogs and cats. When not advocating for the future of the Clark Fork watershed, they enjoy year-round outdoor activities from the desert southwest to the arctic tundra. It’s likely you’ll see Brian on a river or behind binoculars somewhere in the Five Valleys.

Joined 2022

Julia is a licensed science teacher with experience in high school and middle school classrooms. She has a Bachelor of Science in biology with a minor in geology and a master’s degree in secondary science education. Julia was awarded the Partners in Science fellowship through the MJ Murdock Charitable Trust with Dr. Andrew Whiteley where she engaged in science-based research practices to develop research skills. She now manages programs, projects, and partnerships that increase watershed literacy, provide opportunities to care for the river, and build community around a healthy and resilient Clark Fork River system. She coordinates volunteer and community science opportunities, community events, and youth and adult learning activities.

Joined 2011

Andy restores stream flows to creeks and rivers in western Montana. He partners with water rights holders and irrigation groups on projects that benefit both fish and farmers, including water conservation measures such as canal piping, water leasing, and diversion reduction agreements. Andy was born and raised in Missoula and has an intimate knowledge of the waterways of western Montana. He holds an M.S. in resource conservation with an emphasis in water resource management from the University of Montana and a B.A. in environmental studies from Whitman College. In his free time, Andy enjoys exploring Montana through hunting, fishing, biking, and skiing.

Joined 2020

Chloe brings with her a background in corporate accounting, mainly focusing on assurance services, and the aspiration to use her skills and knowledge in the conservation industry. At CFC she is responsible for our accounting systems, operations, policies, and procedures, along with assuring compliance on grants and contracts. A West Virginia native, Chloe holds a B.S. in Accounting and an MBA from West Virginia Wesleyan College. In her free time, she enjoys all things outside!

Joined 2017

As CFC’s Policy & Legal Director, Andrew develops and advances advocacy strategies for protecting and restoring the Clark Fork watershed, conducts water rights research, works to secure change authorizations for instream flow, and advocates for protective and progressive water laws and policies at the state and local levels. Before joining CFC in 2017, he practiced public interest environmental law in Montana state and federal courts and served as a Water Master for the Montana Water Court. He holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Wyoming (2006) and a J.D. from the University of Montana School of Law (2011).

Joined 2015

Lily organizes and manages CFC’s community-based programming, including watershed education for youth, field outings for adults, and volunteer opportunities that build a culture of river stewardship and connect people to their local creeks and streams. Before joining CFC, Lily worked for the Bureau of Land Management as a riparian health and restoration specialist and was an educator for spectrUM Discovery Area, the Montana Natural History Center, and Ecology Project International. Lily grew up in Montana and graduated from the University of Montana with a B.A. in botany/ecology, a Master Certificate in GIS, and ancillary master’s work focusing on aquatic ecosystems.

Joined 2021

Emily provides monitoring and technical support for instream flow projects as well as manages projects designed to improve water quality, streamflow, fisheries, and watershed health. She has a background in GIS, and conducts geospatial analyses and visualizations to support project development. She holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from UNC-Chapel Hill and has extensive field and research experience with the Clearwater Resource Council, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, and NOAA.

Joined 2024

As a sixth generation Montanan who grew up on the Clark Fork River in Sanders County, Morgan has developed an intimate connection with the natural world and the streams and rivers that make Western Montana so unique and cherished. After earning a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Montana, she had the opportunity to explore her love of graphic design and marketing and never looked back. Morgan is a passionate, values-driven marketing professional with over 15 years of experience, who understands the importance of providing clear, effective, and compelling messaging to help drive meaningful change. She is also a self-proclaimed bug nerd with a love for the little things that run the world, with spiders specifically holding a special place in her heart. She can often be found on horseback with her friends and family competing or on the trails, paddleboarding with her husband Alec, or in her garden planting more plants (you can never have too many plants).

Joined 2010

Liz supports our fundraising and special events efforts. Liz comes from the Chicago area, where she had experience in fundraising, communications, and administration. She holds a B.A. in government from St. Lawrence University. Liz thoroughly enjoys all that living and recreating have to offer in Montana. In her off time, she enjoys hiking, music, animals, football, and getting out to enjoy the local rivers and culture in Missoula.

Joined 2021

Adam brings over 20 years of experience in restoration ecology, working both for nonprofits and in the private sector as an environmental consultant. Adam works collaboratively with state and federal agencies, private landowners, and conservation partners to develop and implement restoration projects across the Bitterroot watershed. He specializes in restoring aquatic habitat and reducing erosion associated with roads, stream crossings, and streambanks. He holds an M.S. in fish and wildlife from Utah State University and spends his spare time hiking, skiing, and floating around Missoula with his family.

Joined 2023

Jess spent her childhood on the lakes and trails of Wisconsin before earning a B.A. in English Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Northern Colorado. She spent four years fundraising for NPR affiliate KUNC then eight car-free ones in Amsterdam. There she worked as a freelance copywriter and photographer, traveled often, and mastered balancing her three kids on a bike. She missed exploring wild places and sitting a few notches lower on the food chain so packed up and joined Montana Public Radio as Sponsor Support Specialist in 2019, fostering connections across Western Montana. Jess is committed to ensuring the future of CFC through creative revenue generation and strategic community partnerships. More weekends than not, she and her family hit the river, xc ski trails, or the wonderfully long road to their cabin.

Joined 2024

Gretchen joined CFC in 2024 after she brought in a speaker from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for her Big Sky High School Engineering students to learn about the Silver Bow Creek Restoration, They were amazed we could fix past industrial pollution and her students inspired her to get back into restoration. Before teaching Gretchen worked as a hydrologist, engineer, and water resource specialist for public and private institutions protecting human and environmental health by designing and regulating infrastructure. Right out of grad school she worked for USFS Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District setting up contracts for fish passage and stream restoration. Her longest job was managing the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Clean Water Act Section 106, 319, 303 and 404 programs where she wrote and implemented the first federally approved numeric tribal water quality standards in EPA Region 5. Gretchen has her MS in Environmental Engineering from Michigan Technological University and BS from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In her free time, she enjoys being outside with her family and friends in the mountains and waterways of the Northern Rockies.

Joined 2013

Jed works to develop and implement restoration solutions for impaired tributary streams throughout the Clark Fork. Jed specializes in the development of flow and stream restoration projects in the Bitterroot Valley and the Middle Clark Fork. He guides our strategic management of project-area creeks and streams. Jed holds a B.S. in natural resource management and forestry with a concentration in environmental management from California Polytechnic State University.  He also has 19 years of experience in river and ecological restoration, working in positions from field technician to company president. Most notably, he ran S&K Environmental from 2007 to 2012 and was instrumental in growing the company. Jed is an avid fisherman, boater, hunter, and backpacker.