The AWSMP has released a new recorded interview with former Stream Education Leader Tim Koch who provides perspective on a career in environmental science and education that may be insightful to high school and college students interested in environmental careers.
The 25-minute video podcast posted on the AWSMP YouTube webpage, discusses Tim’s sense of purpose as an educator, educational programs that AWSMP delivers, and what he learned from the community.
Tim Koch was a member of the education staff at the stream program for over seven years. In his position, he developed technical trainings for municipal officials, led outdoor education events, gave guest lectures, and oversaw implementation of applied science projects.
In 2024, Tim developed a ground-breaking Stream Geomorphology Field Course attended by regional highway staff and natural resource professionals. The course used classroom instruction and field activities to deliver concepts of stream science and management. AWSMP staff use specialized knowledge on how rivers interact with the landscape, a field called fluvial geomorphology, to explain why rivers flood, have bends, or move sediment. This knowledge allows local stream managers to develop stream projects that are designed to work with the natural tendencies of the stream, and not against them.
As part of the AWSMP, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County routinely offers stream and floodplain education to landowners and municipal officials within the Ashokan Reservoir watershed.
The AWSMP’s YouTube channel hosts more than 60 educational videos about streams, floodplains, and local ecology, with many videos produced for youth. To see more, visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyx7cud0j1lErvyru4TGU-w/videos.