Profile

First Name

Rebecca

Last Name

Wolf

Display Name

Ms. Rebecca Wolf

Your Affiliated Organization

Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin

Job Title

Watershed Coordinator

About You

My Background: After having written and managed scientific and technical communication products (publications, documentaries, web sites, presentations…) for over 20 years, I switched my focus to environmental concerns, particularly water quality, in the late 90s. To pursue my passion of ecological restoration and environmental field work, I jumped into graduate studies in the Johns Hopkins Master's Program in Environmental Sciences and Policy.  I have concentrated on stream and ecosystem restoration and watershed management because of my deeply felt concern for the water and habitat quality of our rivers and streams.  Convinced that we must use sound watershed management strategies, including stream restoration and the use of innovative low-impact stormwater designs, I continue to gain experience and training in these areas, applying my knowledge to educational programs and field research in my position as a naturalist, while also volunteering in these areas, whenever possible. My goal is to work full time in one of these areas, to manage projects, to promote community awareness and best management practices, and to continue learning more each day about what works best to protect and enhance our waterways

My Work History:

Jug Bay Patuxent River Park, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Croom, MD

Naturalist, May 2011 to present (part-time) 

·         Developed an interactive watershed program for public schools, covering watersheds, water quality and land use and introducing best management practices and low-impact development alternatives.

·         Teach students to perform and interpret water quality testing, fish seining and identification, and benthic macroinvertebrate sampling.

·         Provide marsh and forest interpretive programs that meet Maryland State Department of Education curriculum requirements. 

·         Network with school science coordinators and teachers to support science curriculum and Green School activities.

·         Researched and wrote interpretive signs on past and present ecology of the Patuxent River Jug Bay wetlands.

More than Words, Science Editor, Writer, Business Owner 1998-present ·         Provide research, writing, editing, and consultation to clients in the environmental and medical fields.

·         Products include watershed characterization, research manuscripts, book chapters, newsletters, websites, and presentations.

·         Provide science writing workshops.

Maryland Park Service, Civic Justice Corps, Annapolis, MD

Crew Chief, Seasonal Position, Summer 2010

·         Supervised seven crew members in invasive plant removal, construction of native flowerbeds and rain barrels, trail maintenance, and other conservation projects.

·         Developed experiential lessons in nature appreciation, biology, and environmental stewardship.

Environmental Protection Agency, Mid-Atlantic Integrated Assessment Program (MAIA), Fort Meade, MD

Science Writer, 2005-2006 (6-month contract )

·         Developed three publications for natural resource managers on EPA’s research on biological indicators, harmful algal blooms, and nationwide air pollution research.

·         Performed extensive background research, wrote copy, obtained graphics, and coordinated the layout

·         Interacted and coordinated with multiple project managers and scientists.

·         Ensured completion of projects on schedule.

Chesapeake Biological Laboratory (CBL) Science Writer and Editor, 2003-2006 (contractual)

·         Coordinated the production of quarterly newsletter featuring CBL’s research in fisheries science, toxicology, and geochemistry.

·         Developed web pages covering the center’s research areas.

·         Planned content, wrote feature stories, performed layout and photography and developed graphics

·         Engaged public in complex scientific topics.

Maryland Sea Grant, College Park, MD 

Science Writer, 2001- 2003 (contractual )

·         Wrote and designed publication and website describing the national Sea Grant Program’s marine biotechnology initiative (http://www.biotech.seagrant.org/).

·         Independently researched and summarized 320 research grants covering marine biotechnology developments from 30 regional offices.

Anderson Orthopaedic Research Institute, Alexandria, VA

Science Editor and Web Master, 1998-2001

·         Edited research manuscripts for 10 physicians and 4 project managers.

·         Increasing the rate of successful manuscript submissions to peer-reviewed journals.

·         Directed two patient educational videos, including interviewing patients, writing script, planning shoots, and overseeing editing.

·         Wrote and managed AORI’s newsletters and solicitations, significantly increasing donations.

·         Planned and implemented AORI’s first website. 

The Healthshare Group, Petoskey, MI

Communication Specialist, 1995 -1996

·         Developed and managed two monthly newsletters and multiple brochures and reports for a hospital, long-term care facility, emergency service, and homecare service.

·         Directed two patient educational programs for television airing, one of which received the 1996 International Television Association Silver Award, Michigan Chapter.

·         Established media relations, wrote press releases, and ensured media coverage.

Jackson and Tull, Inc., Seabrook, MD, and the OAO Corporation, Greenbelt, MD

Media Specialist, 1987-1995

·         Developed communication publications, documentaries, and presentations for clients in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

·         Received commendations from Goddard Space Flight Center clients for the publication, The Get Away Special 10-Year Anniversary

·         Received commendations from Goddard Space Flight Center for video presentation on robotic technology.

·         Ensured the completion of the Past Experience sections for 10 corporate proposals, incorporating a restyled format that engendered praise from government reviewers.

·         Co-directed documentary on the Hubble Space Telescope for national distribution.

Environmental Volunteer Experience

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chesapeake Bay Field Office, 2012:  support stream restoration activities and Poplar Island muskrat studies

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary (2009-present):  biological stream monitoring; phytoplankton monitoring; watershed poster committee for Maryland Water Monitoring Council (MWMC) 2010 Annual Conference; Bioblitz and MAPS breeding bird survey.  Also presented field observation on Least Brook Lamprey at Jug Bay Wetland Sanctuary’s State of the Streams Summit, January 23, 2011. 

MWMC 2010 Annual Conference:  Presented poster on graduate work field study, Chloride Levels from Road Salt in Seven Maryland Streams Following Winter 2009-2010 Record Snowstorms.

Organized benthic macroinvertebrate data from 33 streams on spreadsheets and calculated multimetric indices for a Maryland Department of Natural Resources research study; co-authored a poster on the outcomes for the MWMC 2010 Annual Conference (2009-2010).

Maryland Stream Waders, Maryland Department of Natural Resources (2007, 2008, 2012).

St. Mary’s River Watershed Association:  Research and wrote sections of watershed characterization.

My Interests: vegetable and flower gardening (organic, of course!), kayaking, watching birds at my feeder, hand-built pottery and sculpture,  hiking and exploring the "great outdoors." 

Email Address

becawolf@gmail.com